The Authority has long supported the League of California Cities. As a Platinum League Partner, the Authority and other League Partners collaborate with municipal decision-makers and elected officials to invest in advancing local priorities at city halls throughout the state. The League has been in the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic and has fought to ensure all cities have the resources they need to protect their communities.
The Authority is honored to announce its participation in the League of California Cities’ “Support Local Recovery: Vibrant Cities. Strong Economies” campaign coalition, joining forces with more than 160 representatives from local government, labor, and business to advocate for funding for cities to address COVID-19 impacts.
The coalition is calling on the state to provide $7 billion in direct and flexible funding to cities to support critical local services, as well as a portion of the state’s CARES Act funding to help cities address COVID-19 related expenditures, according to the League of California Cities. The coalition is also calling on the federal government to provide $500 billion in direct and flexible funding to local governments nationwide to support essential services, including police, fire, public works, permitting, and planning.
“The Authority has a longstanding tradition of supporting local government, and we remain steadfast in that support,” said Chief Executive Officer Jon Shull. “The COVID-19 pandemic has proven the vital role of local governments, and it is essential that appropriate funding is allocated to cities as they continue to address the pandemic and its impact.”
With support from the Authority and others of the campaign coalition, the League will continue to advocate for cities at the state and federal levels. As of a May 14 update from the League, a bipartisan, bicameral effort is being led by Sen. Michael McGuire (D-Healdsburg) and Assembly Member Jim Wood (D-Santa Rosa), urging the Governor to set aside a portion of the state’s CARES Act funding for local governments. At the federal level, a letter to U.S. House and Senate leadership requesting $1 trillion in direct and flexible relief to states and local governments, Governor Gavin Newsom and California legislative leadership said “without federal support, states and cities will be forced to make impossible decisions – like whether to fund critical public healthcare that will help us recover, or prevent layoffs of teachers, police officers, firefighters and other first responders.”
For additional information on the campaign and how to participate, visit the League’s “Support Local Recovery” webpage.