May 18, 2018

The CSAC Legislative Conference brought together approximately 350 county supervisors and senior staff from all over the state this week for two days of policy discussions, the latest news on the State Budget, meetings with key legislators and networking. We also heard from Governor Brown, who spoke on a wide variety of topics. The conference culminated with a Board Meeting in which CSAC took official positions on three of the initiatives that will be on the November ballot. See the story below for more on the initiatives and the positions the Board adopted.

In a wide-ranging, extemporaneous speech, Governor Brown regaled attendees for almost half an hour. His topics included the need to support SB1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

“It’s important because we need roads that work, we need to invest in our transit systems, and also we need to know, are we a great country? Can we pay our bills or are we just going to use funny-money, just borrow and borrow and borrow? That doesn’t work, and so, you’ve got to step up to the plate. And Government…is our common agent mechanism through which we invest in the common good and preserve our own future,” the Governor said.

CSAC is part of a growing coalition that opposes an effort to repeal SB 1, which is providing more than $5 billion a year for transportation funding. The Governor also spoke about the California economy.

“We have a great state. We have the fifth largest economy in the world. People complain about this and complain about that, but the fact is, since this recovery, California has added almost $800 billion annually to the economy. It’s pretty amazing that the 40 million people (in California) can do it. We do it because of our universities, we do it because of our court system, we do it because of our businesses and we do it because of the creative people we all have,” he added.

CSAC President and Kern County Supervisor Leticia Perez noted that the weeks leading up to the June 15 budget deadline are all-important to counties. “When counties speak with a firm and unified voice in the Capitol, we help ensure our priorities are at the top of the list for the Governor and Legislature as they negotiate a final budget for the coming fiscal year. And that’s what we plan to do in the weeks ahead.”

And our membership also heard from Graham Knaus for the first time since he assumed his new role as CSAC’s Executive Director.

 “Our ability to be successful as a county family centers on two critical elements; advancing county interests in Sacramento and Washington D.C., and having a deep understanding of your role serving the 39 million residents of this state. I’m fortunate to begin my tenure with such a talented team – they have outstanding expertise and are called on daily by the Administration and Legislature, they have strong networks in the Capitol, and strategic skills to pull it all together into a cohesive platform for counties. So we stand as a bridge, translator, creative problem solver, and as your voice,” he said.

Also, See Graham Knaus’ recent blog here.

“Whether homelessness, or resiliency, or IHSS, or protecting your local authority to provide services in the manner that best fits your community, we will continue fighting for you through our priorities.”

CSAC also heard from for Legislative leaders, Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, Senate Budget Committee Chair Holly Mitchell, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, and Assembly Local Government Chair Cecelia Aguiar-Curry. CSAC Deputy Executive Director for Legislative Affairs Darby Kernan and the CSAC Legislative Staff arranged their participation.

“The Governor and Legislative leaders are willing to invest some of their time with us during the very busy budget season because of the respect CSAC has built over the years. They know the vital role counties play in serving our mutual constituents and the interaction between state and county leaders is just as important to them as it is to us,” Kernan said.

CSAC also facilitated a meeting of the Women’s Leadership Forum as part of the Legislative Conference. More than 40 women attended the breakfast meeting to network with each other, and with the five State Legislators who also attended. The included State Senator Connie Leyva, and Assembly Members Susan Eggman, Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Eloise Gomez Reyes, and Blanca Rubio.

The WLF is co-chaired by San Mateo County Supervisor Carole Groom, Sonoma County Supervisor Susan Gorin and Mariposa County Supervisor Rosemarie Smallcombe. If you want more information about the WLF or upcoming events, please contact Stanicia Boatner.