CSAC Finance Corporation shares updates on its Corporate Platinum
Partner - The California 2-1-1 Providers Network (211 CA) -
and spotlights the continued success of the recently launched
Easy Smart Pay (ESP) program.
Situated 26 miles north of the Arctic Circle near the drainages
of the Noatak, Kobuk, and Selawik rivers lies a hidden gem of
Alaska’s Northwest Arctic Borough – the Town of Kotzebue. Home to
one of the largest populations of Alaska Native peoples in the
state – 80 percent of its residents are Iñupiat – the Town of
Kotzebue and surrounding villages face significant unique
challenges meeting the needs of their communities due to being in
such a remote area of the country.
Friday, September 30, was the deadline for Governor Gavin Newsom
to sign or veto the over 1,100 bills passed by the Legislature
this session. Per usual, many of these bills awaited action up
until the last few days before the deadline and in the end the
Governor signed 997 and vetoed 169 pieces of legislation.
The following is an update on major bills of interest or concern
for key county policy areas.
The California State Association of Counties® is
thrilled to announce an exclusive new service for counties:
the CSAC Grants Initiative. Recognizing the
increasing demand for county services and the need to stretch
every dollar further, more and more counties are seeking grant
funding opportunities to meet the needs of their residents.
All California counties are active members of NACo with a county
designee for purposes of general assembly voting. As a NACo
member, you have the opportunity to represent California and CSAC
on one of NACo’s 10 Policy Steering Committees. Your involvement
is crucial and can help ensure that California has a strong voice
on federal policy issues and legislation that supports local
decision-making, prevents unfunded mandates, and provides direct
federal investments in county priorities.
The legislative session is winding down to a close with less than
a week to determine the fate of several hundred bills. As the
August 31 deadline draws closer, the Senate and Assembly continue
to debate and amend bills with significant potential impact on
California counties.
Below is an update on key bills of interest to counties:
The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) joins the
Oxnard and Ventura County communities in mourning the loss of
Supervisor Carmen Ramirez, who tragically passed away in a
vehicular accident on Friday, August 12.
The California Emerging Technology Fund is hosting Get Connected
California! Day on Saturday, August 27, 2022,
throughout California to expand access to eligible low-income
households. Information about confirmed locations and the program
can be accessed at the Internet for All
Now website.
Broadband Grant Opportunity – Rural eConnectivity Program
The United States Department of Agriculture has announced that
beginning September 6, 2022, applications can be submitted for
the Rural eConnectivity Program (ReConnect) Program. Applications
will be accepted until November 2, 2022.
State lawmakers reconvened in Sacramento this week for the final
month of the legislative session. Facing down an August 31
deadline, the fate of hundreds of bills remains to be determined.
HdL and eCivis are offering a new service to
help counties determine the true cost of services
to budget more accurately and maximize every revenue
opportunity.
The Indirect Cost Recovery service will help counties understand key
elements of their cost allocations:
The U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury) released
new guidance that provides additional flexibility to use
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery
Funds (Recovery Funds) to boost the supply of affordable housing.
County leaders from across the country gathered for engaging
policy discussions and knowledge sharing at the NACo Annual
Conference in Adams County, Colorado last week. The conference
featured conversations with national and local leaders on topics
of importance to counties of all sizes, including but not limited
to elections, mental and behavioral health, DEI, and climate
change. California leaders were well represented at the various
policy committee meetings, workshops, and task force meetings.
Snuggled between the boisterous capital and rich ecological
wonders of the Centennial State, county elected and appointed
officials from across the country are gathered for the 2022
National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference in
Adams County, Colorado.
Mobilization is underway for the first Get Connected! California
Month. In March 2022, The California Broadband Council issued a
“Call to Action” to get 90% of all eligible low-income households
connected to high-speed Internet by 2024. In response, state
agencies and the Get Connected! Coalition are coordinating a
month-long effort called Get Connected! California.
The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and Hopelab
recently launched a study on youth vaping cessation called
Quit the Hit. The purpose of this study, led by Dr. Pamela Ling,
is to see if and how support on social media can help teens quit
vaping. The study will compare an Instagram vaping cessation
intervention to “standard care,” where participants can sign up
for any cessation services provided by Kick It California.
Join Sonoma County Supervisor and CSAC Immediate Past President
James Gore and distinguished county leaders from across the
nation to share top priorities, challenges, and hard-won
successes. This virtual event is part of Supervisor Gore’s
roaring campaign to serve counties nationwide as the next Second
Vice President for the National Association of Counties (NACo).
Join Supervisor Gore virtually on Wednesday, July 13th
anytime between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. to hear from:
Big or small, urban or rural, all counties are feeling the
workforce squeeze. County and industry leaders gathered in San
Luis Obispo County on June 23, 2022, for CSAC’s Summer Regional
Meeting on county workforce issues.
