March 6, 2025

California’s county leaders took their advocacy directly to Capitol Hill last week, engaging with key federal decision-makers on critical issues impacting communities statewide. Led by CSAC President and Inyo County Supervisor Jeff Griffiths, First Vice President and Santa Clara County Supervisor Susan Ellenberg, Second Vice President and Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo, Immediate Past President and San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Bruce Gibson and CSAC staff, the delegation engaged in high-level discussions with federal representatives to ensure county priorities remain at the forefront of national policymaking.  

Championing County Priorities 

CSAC officers met with key lawmakers on both sides of Capitol Hill, including Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA), as well as with Representatives Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), and John Garamendi (D-CA). The county contingent also met with senior staff to Representatives Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), David Valadao (R-CA), Young Kim (R-CA), Kevin Kiley (R-CA), Ken Calvert (R-CA), Adam Gray (D-CA), and Judy Chu (D-CA). At the executive level, CSAC met with the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, which is the key liaison between the Trump administration and local governments. 

Throughout these discussions, CSAC leaders underscored the need for Congress to protect federal funding for essential county services and reinforce collaborative efforts to address California’s most pressing challenges. By directly engaging federal leaders, CSAC continues to ensure that the voices of California’s counties are heard at the highest levels of government. 

Among the top concerns discussed: 

• Protecting the Safety Net: Counties rely on federal funding to administer programs like Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and CalWORKs. Proposed federal budget cuts could eliminate $880 billion in Medicaid/Medi-Cal spending, $230 billion in SNAP/CalFresh benefits, and 10% of TANF/CalWORKs block grants. Cuts to these programs would leave impossible funding gaps, forcing counties to cut spending elsewhere, such as public safety, parks, and homelessness. 
• Resilience and Disaster Response: With wildfires and natural disasters increasing in frequency and severity, county leaders urged support for proactive mitigation measures, such as the Disaster Resiliency and Coverage Act (H.R. 1105) and the SAFE HOME Act (H.R. 948). These bills would offer grants and tax incentives to help households and businesses invest in property resilience. CSAC also urged the California delegation to support the House-passed Fix Our Forests Act (H.R. 471), which seeks to reform federal forest management policy and reduce wildfire risks.   
• Housing and Homelessness Solutions: Counties are on the front lines of the housing crisis. CSAC called for continued investment in the Housing Trust Fund and Emergency Solutions Grants, tax credits for developers, and funding for safe parking initiatives. 
• Public Lands: CSAC officers called on Congress to renew funding for the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS), a critical program that has expired. SRS provides essential support to rural counties and school districts impacted by declining timber harvest revenues on federal lands. Without congressional action, future payments will default to a formula tied to timber sales, potentially leaving many communities with significantly less funding than anticipated in their budgets. 

California’s Strong Presence at the NACo Legislative Conference 

Following their Capitol Hill meetings, CSAC leadership joined more than 170 California representatives at the 2025 NACo Legislative Conference, where supervisors, CAOs, department heads, and other county officials engaged in national policy discussions. The conference provided an opportunity for California counties to collaborate with peers from across the country, share best practices, and shape federal policies affecting local governments. 

One highlight of the conference was a moderated discussion between Senator Alex Padilla and NACo President and Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore. During this keynote, Senator Padilla emphasized the need for bipartisan cooperation to address America’s mental health crisis and the increasing frequency of wildfires and other disasters. Read NACo’s recap of his keynote. 

After his keynote, Senator Padilla sat down with more than 50 California county supervisors for a candid conversation about their challenges. He took questions from CSAC members in counties large and small. The discussion underscored both the shared struggles – like the impact of potential federal funding cuts – and the unique needs of urban, suburban, and rural counties. Topics discussed included immigration, disaster response and recovery, as well as water supply.  

Looking Ahead: Keeping the Momentum Going 

California counties have set clear priorities, but the work continues. CSAC continues working with state and federal partners to protect safety net services, secure funding, and strengthen disaster resilience. Counties can support these efforts by staying engaged and sharing real-life stories that highlight local challenges and successes. 

ACTION ITEM: If you didn’t make it to Washington, you can still make your voice heard! Contact your member of Congress to share your concerns, and let us know how it goes.