The best solutions to complex issues often come from a solid
application of the three Cs: communication, collaboration and
cooperation. And that is exactly what was going on earlier this
week in the CSAC Conference Center in Sacramento. About 40 county
administrative officers from across the state came together to
talk about allocation of AB 109 public safety realignment
funding.
I was lucky enough to squeeze into room 1190 at the Capitol on
Tuesday for Governor Brown’s press conference regarding prison
conditions in California. It was a virtuoso performance by one of
the preeminent figures in the last half century of California
politics.
The Governor, citing a significant reduction in the number of
inmates and major improvements in physical and mental health
care, officially ended the state of emergency in California
prisons.
[caption id="attachment_3983" align="alignright" width="300"
caption="New San Diego County Supervisor David Roberts is sworn
into office Monday."][/caption]
The new year always brings new beginnings – and every two years
it brings a new class of county supervisors.
We are starting to see some
specific analysis from the last minute deal to avoid the
fiscal cliff, but even as we digest more details, some
pundits are saying the specifics are less important than the
deal itself.
Dear CSAC Members and County Colleagues all over California,
Allow me to take a minute of your time to wish you the brightest
of holiday seasons, a very happy New Year, and a 2013 that is
full of opportunity, success and service to the people of
Californi
CSAC Institute has partnered with California State
University-Northridge to offer an exclusive, executive-level
Master of Public Administration degree program.
One beauty of CSAC is its diversity. We are as diverse as
California itself – geographically, politically and
demographically. For CSAC to be truly reflective in policy
development, though, it is important for us to be a reflection of
the state residents we all represent. In that light, our officers
enthusiastically supported the recent creation of the Latino
Caucus of California Counties. Sacramento County Supervisor Phil
Serna is serving as President of this new organization.
Day Two of CSAC’s 118th Annual Meeting is going
strong. The day started on the right foot with a very insightful
and candid look at Congress by Washington Post political
columnist Ezra Klein.
They came from throughout California — 54 strong as they prepare
for their new role as county supervisor. They came together this
morning in Los Angeles County for the first of two days of
instruction in the CSAC New Supervisors Institute.
Since becoming CSAC’s new Executive Director, I have already been
congratulated many times for deciding to lead this great
organization. For most of my friends and colleagues, it was
obvious that leading CSAC’s incredible team during this period in
history when counties are facing such historic challenges and
opportunities was a perfect fit for me. But for those
who don’t yet know me very well, let me explain more fully why I
decided to join CSAC.
5:45 a.m. – I pick up a box of coffee for myself and my fellow
poll workers. I already have some fruit and other snacks to
share. It’s going to be a 15- or 16-hour workday, so we’ll need
all the help we can get. Despite the 5 a.m. wake-up call and the
long hours, I avoid comparing myself to Ivan Denisovich. I
volunteered for this, after all, and I always enjoy it. I have
the blank ballots, scanner, and some other supplies in my car,
and the rest of the equipment, like the voting booths, are
waiting for us at the polling place.
Local election results never cease to amaze me. As I was
compiling the results of supervisorial elections around the state
this morning, I came across a handful of races that are
incredibly close and will not be decided until the last mail-in
ballot is counted.
Californians seem to like their local governments. In fact, the
recently released report from the Public Policy Institute of
California suggests that voters have strong confidence in their
local governments and want more authority shifted to the local
level. Not surprisingly, this is precisely the thinking behind
public safety realignment, a historic change to California’s
public safety system.
Gov. Jerry Brown calls this the “principle of subsidiarity.” When
something needs to get done, give it to the smallest, least
centralized organization that has the ability to do it.
Each year during the planning phase of the CSAC
Annual Meeting, we try to add some new events that enhance
the value of the conference. This year, there are a few events
that we urge attendees to take full advantage of – both taking
place prior to the official Kick-Off Session.
Inaugural Innovation Summit
On Monday afternoon, CSAC will be hosting its inaugural
Innovation Summit. Scheduled for Noon to 5 p.m.
This summit was presented by the Latino Emergency Council,
a partnership between Stanislaus County, the Hispanic
Leadership Council and El Concilio Council for the Spanish
Speaking. Stanislaus County is being honored with a 2012
CSAC Challenge Award for its role in establishing the
Council.
I am new to CSAC, but I’ve been in and around Sacramento for a
long time and I am familiar with at least some of the issues on
the county radar screen.
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Programs created much
excitement over the last couple years as they created a great
financing tool for property owners to install energy and water
improvements to be paid back via a line item on their property
tax bill. Unfortunately, PACE financing fo
