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CSAC Bulletin Article

Bills that Would Increase Local Resources, But Also Employment Costs, Head to Governor

Geoffrey Neill Josh Gauger Sheila McFarland

September 19, 2019

The final week of the 2019 legislative session proved both challenging and successful for the CSAC Government Finance and Administration policy team. With the focus now on Governor Newsom’s decisions to sign or veto bills, CSAC representatives continue to engage on a number of important measures.

CSAC Bulletin Article Sara Floor

CSAC Homelessness Action Team Meets

Josh Gauger Sara Floor

September 5, 2019

Wednesday, September 4, 2019, marked the first meeting of CSAC’s Homelessness Action Team.  The team serves as a working group to ensure a coordinated county voice on addressing homelessness and emphasizing the vital role that counties play in service delivery to those who are experiencing homelessness. Given the scope of homelessness in California, the team is comprised of Supervisors implementing solutions in urban, suburban, and rural communities throughout the state.

CSAC Bulletin Article

Pensions, Strikes, and Increased Costs – Oh My!

Geoffrey Neill Josh Gauger Sheila McFarland

September 5, 2019

A number of controversial employee relations bills are still pending in the Legislature that together would substantially increase costs for public agencies. On behalf of all 58 counties, CSAC continues to communicate outstanding concerns with two bills in particular.

CSAC Bulletin Article

Ballot Transparency and Local Redistricting Bills Still in Play

Geoffrey Neill Josh Gauger Sheila McFarland

September 5, 2019

With the 2019 Legislative deadline quickly approaching, CSAC continues to engage with legislators and fellow advocates on a number of important measures. Two bills still pending, both of which CSAC has been actively lobbying, would revise components of county elections and redistricting.

CSAC Bulletin Article

Counties Spared Sexual Harassment Training “Stutter Step”

Geoffrey Neill Josh Gauger Sheila McFarland

September 5, 2019

Would counties that were already providing sexual harassment prevention training to nonsupervisory employees be required to provide that training two years in a row, instead of every other year? Due to a drafting error in last year’s bill implementing mandatory training, public agencies and businesses were facing this exactly this kind of “stutter step”.

CSAC Bulletin Article

Smoke Regulations for Outdoor Workers Amended

Geoffrey Neill Sheila McFarland

August 22, 2019

Over the past several years, California has struggled with both preparing for and responding to hundreds of devastating wildfires. The 2018 fires alone caused billions in property damage and over a hundred fatalities. Even communities not physically damaged by the wildfires experienced poor and smoky air quality.

CSAC Bulletin Article

New Split-Roll Property Tax Initiative Aims for 2020 Ballot

August 15, 2019

CSAC Bulletin Article

HCD Funding and Resources Available to Accelerate Housing Production 

Chris Lee Marina Espinoza

August 15, 2019                                                  

CSAC Bulletin Article

Many Bills Important to Counties Still in Play

Josh Gauger

August 8, 2019

As the Legislature returns next week to close out the legislative year, many important bills are still being considered by the Legislature.  The bills below represent many of CSAC’s top priorities for each policy area going into the final month of session.  If you have any questions about these, or other bills, please contact the appropriate CSAC legislative staff.

CSAC Bulletin Article

2019-20 Budget Trailer Bills Clear Governor’s Desk

Josh Gauger

August 8, 2019

While a few budget trailer bills took longer than expected to reach the Governor, and trailed CSAC’s Budget Action Bulletin, the Legislature will reconvene from summer recess next week with all budget trailer bills having been signed by the Governor. 

CSAC Bulletin Article

2020 Census Update

Geoffrey Neill Josh Gauger Sheila McFarland

July 18, 2019

CSAC Bulletin Article

SB 5 Passes Policy Committees with CSAC Support

Geoffrey Neill Sheila McFarland

July 11, 2019

SB 5, by Senator Jim Beall (D-San Jose) passed the Assembly Local Government Committee on Wednesday, with CSAC lobbyist Geoff Neill present to offer county support of the measure. CSAC recently adopted an official position of support for SB 5 because it would create an ongoing funding partnership between the state and California local governments to ensure long-term funding for both affordable housing and the infrastructure to support sustainable development.

CSAC Bulletin Article

New Bill Would Hamstring Ability for Counties to Freely Associate

Geoffrey Neill Sheila McFarland

July 11, 2019

Language that would severely limit the expenditure of funds by local government associations, including CSAC, was amended into a bill this week, AB 315, by Assemblymember Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens).

CSAC Bulletin Article

CSAC Advocacy Focuses on Key Bills Ahead of July Deadline

Geoffrey Neill Josh Gauger Sheila McFarland

July 5, 2019

CSAC Bulletin Article

Expensive Pension and Release Time Bills Pass Committees

Geoffrey Neill Sheila McFarland

June 28, 2019

Two bills that would increase costs for counties passed out of their respective policy committees this week.

CSAC Bulletin

Redistricting Bills Move Forward, Mandates Intact

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

Geoffrey Neill Josh Gauger Sheila McFarland

June 6, 2019

CSAC Bulletin Article

Government Finance and Administration Bill Update

Geoffrey Neill Josh Gauger Sheila McFarland

May 30, 2019

CSAC Bulletin Article

Bills and Budget Face Looming Deadlines

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 Sara Floor

Governor’s Revised Homelessness Proposal Recognizes Important Role of Counties

Josh Gauger Geoffrey Neill Sheila McFarland Sara Floor

May 16, 2019

Governor Newsom recently released his 2019-20 May Revision budget proposal. Included in the May Revision are significant changes to the January budget proposal for the Homeless Aid for Planning and Shelter Program. CSAC previously discussed the January proposal and advocacy surrounding that proposal in a March 28, 2019 bulletin article which centered on the need for flexibility in the use of funds and flexibility in funds being coordinated through Continuums of Care or direct, county-led models.

The Governor’s May Revision includes an increased investment in the program and the increased flexibility local communities need to be successful. Specifically, the revised proposal now includes:

  • An increase from $500 million to $650 million;
  • $275 million set-aside to be allocated directly to counties;
  • Flexibility in allocating funds up-front in lieu of back-end milestone achievement funding; and
  • Flexibility via expanding the eligible uses of funds beyond just shelters and navigation centers. Eligible uses now include, but are not limited to, hotel/motel conversions, traditional and non-traditional permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing, and jobs programs.
Navigation Term Highlight Sara Floor

Latest CSAC Bulletin

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Where We are Located

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County Of The Week:
Lassen

Kim Burleson

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