GFA Recent News

CSAC Bulletin

Redistricting Bills Move Forward, Mandates Intact

June 20, 2019 Geoffrey Neill Josh Gauger Sheila McFarland

June 20, 2019

As the requirement for counties to redraw their supervisorial district approaches, the laws governing the process are drawing attention from state legislators. Two bills of particular importance are SB 139, which requires many large and medium-sized counties to create independent redistricting commissions, and AB 849, which increases transparency and outreach requirements.

CSAC Bulletin Article

2020 Census Updates for California Counties

June 5, 2019 Geoffrey Neill Josh Gauger Sheila McFarland

June 6, 2019

CSAC Bulletin Article

Government Finance and Administration Bill Update

May 30, 2019 Geoffrey Neill Josh Gauger Sheila McFarland

May 30, 2019

CSAC Bulletin Article

Bills and Budget Face Looming Deadlines

May 30, 2019 Geoffrey Neill Josh Gauger Sheila McFarland

May 30, 2019

Two major legislative deadlines are right around the corner, with proposals in flux that will have significant impacts on California counties. The most immediate deadline, the House of Origin deadline, is tomorrow, May 31. By midnight tomorrow, Senate bills and Assembly bills must be passed through the house where they originated or they are considered dead for the year.

CSAC Bulletin Article

Governor’s Revised Homelessness Proposal Recognizes Important Role of Counties

May 16, 2019 Josh Gauger Geoffrey Neill Sheila McFarland

May 16, 2019

CSAC Bulletin Article

Counties Request Backfill for Diaper and Menstrual Products Tax Exemptions

May 16, 2019 Geoffrey Neill Sheila McFarland

May 16, 2019

CSAC Bulletin Article

State Retiree Health Care Liability Decreases

May 16, 2019 Geoffrey Neill Sheila McFarland

May 16, 2019

The state’s net liability for retiree health and dental benefits has gone down to $85.59 billion, according to a report published yesterday by State Controller Betty T. Yee. The liability, often referred to as the Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) liability represents the present-day cost to provide health and dental benefits to state retirees and their dependents earned as of June 30, 2018.

CSAC Bulletin Article

Hot Topic: Redistricting – Who Will Draw the Lines?

April 18, 2019 Geoffrey Neill Josh Gauger

April 18, 2019

CSAC Bulletin Article

CSAC Advocates for Funding to Reduce Homelessness

March 28, 2019 Josh Gauger

March 28, 2019

Addressing homelessness is a complex challenge and continues to be a top legislative and budget priority for CSAC. Recently, 75 representatives from 15 different counties convened in Monterey County to discuss realities of addressing homelessness and housing during the CSAC Central Coast & Central Valley Regional meeting. Among the topics discussed, was the pending influx of housing and homelessness funding opportunities from Propositions 1 and 2.

CSAC Bulletin Article

Assembly Constitutional Amendment 1 Would Ease Access to Funding for Local Infrastructure and Affordable Housing

March 14, 2019 Geoffrey Neill Josh Gauger

March 14, 2019

Infrastructure is a local government paradox.

CSAC Bulletin Article

Bill Would Give Union Reps Same Privilege as Pastors, Doctors, and Lawyers

March 7, 2019 Geoffrey Neill Josh Gauger Tracy Sullivan

March 7, 2019

CSAC Bulletin Article

California Supreme Court Upholds Airtime Elimination, Sidesteps “California Rule”

March 7, 2019 Geoffrey Neill Josh Gauger Tracy Sullivan

March 7, 2019

CSAC Bulletin Article

Upcoming Census Webinar on Protecting Confidentiality

February 28, 2019 Geoffrey Neill Tracy Sullivan

February 28, 2019

The California Complete Count Office is hosting an informational webinar at 10 a.m. on March 1, titled “Protecting the Confidentiality of 2020 Census Statistics.” The lead presenters are from the U.S. Census Bureau and the webinar is free and open to the public. Interested parties must register online.

CSAC Bulletin Article

Counties Seek State Reimbursement for Special Elections

February 28, 2019 Geoffrey Neill Tracy Sullivan

February 28, 2019

With a number of special elections already slated to take place in 2019, CSAC has submitted a coalition letter requesting Department of Finance (DOF) to reimburse counties for the cost of special legislative vacancy elections in the current and previous fiscal years. CSAC has been shining a spotlight on this issue for several years, given the State’s decision to stop funding special elections in 2007 and the resultant strain on county budgets.

CSAC Bulletin Article

State Revenue Expected to Rebound in April

February 21, 2019 Geoffrey Neill Tracy Sullivan

February 21, 2019

Tax receipts are lower than expected at this point in the fiscal year; however, both the Department of Finance (DOF) and Legislative Analysts’ Office (LAO) higher revenues in April to partially offset the current shortfall. They agree this is a side effect of the 2018 federal tax reform, causing Californians to pay more of their total tax liability in April instead of December. Additionally, sales tax continues to miss the mark, but could be a product of computer delays at the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.

CSAC Bulletin Article

White House Releases American Broadband Initiative Milestones Report

February 14, 2019 Geoffrey Neill Tracy Sullivan

February 14, 2019

The White House recently released the American Broadband Initiative Milestones Report, providing a roadmap for how the federal government can increase rural broadband access and highlighting actions that federal agencies are taking to promote private-sector investment in broadband infrastructure.

The report’s recommendations are grouped into three categories:

CSAC Bulletin Article

Economic Development Proposals Highlight Legislative Interest

February 14, 2019 Geoffrey Neill Tracy Sullivan

February 14, 2019

With the state budget in a surplus position, there has been heightened attention by both the Legislature and Newsom Administration on paving the way for local economic development. Proposals on the topic are currently all over the map; however, they all illustrate the desire for workable tools to finance economic development and housing projects.

CSAC Bulletin Article

CalPERS “How are We Doing” Survey Open Until February 7

January 31, 2019 Geoffrey Neill Tracy Sullivan

January 31, 2019

Counties that contract with CalPERS for retirement or health care benefits are strongly encouraged to participate in their Stakeholder Perception Survey and share feedback across a wide variety of metrics, such as customer service, fund sustainability, and communication.

CSAC Bulletin Article

Webinar on Rural Communities for Census 2020

January 31, 2019 Geoffrey Neill Tracy Sullivan

January 31, 2019

California Complete Count – Census 2020 invites you to participate in a webinar about State, Federal, and local efforts to achieve a complete count in California’s rural communities. Participants will learn about the unique challenges facing rural communities due to the first ever “digital census,” and other factors impacting hard-to-count communities in rural regions.

CSAC Bulletin Article

2020 Census – Counting Areas Affected by Wildfires

January 24, 2019 Geoffrey Neill Tracy Sullivan

January 24, 2019

The California Complete Count – Census 2020 Office is hosting a special informational call next week to discuss enumeration strategies for areas affected by wildfires. A lot has changed since the 2010 Census, particularly the growing frequency and severity of California wildfires. Therefore, unique tactics will need to be deployed in order to reach fire victims and any other individuals living in non-conventional housing.