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Sheila McFarland

Sheila McFarland is the Legislative Analyst for Government Finance & Operations policy area.

(916) 327-7500 Ext. 525
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CSAC Bulletin Article

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

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

Pensions, Strikes, and Increased Costs – Oh My!

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

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”

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

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

“Expired and Repealed” Mandates Update for Counties

Sheila McFarland

July 25, 2019

Contributed by F. Andy Nichols, with Nichols Consulting.

CSAC Bulletin Article

2020 Census Update

Sheila McFarland

July 18, 2019

CSAC Bulletin Article

SB 5 Passes Policy Committees with CSAC Support

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

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

Sheila McFarland

July 5, 2019

CSAC Bulletin Article

Expensive Pension and Release Time Bills Pass Committees

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

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

Sheila McFarland

June 6, 2019

CSAC Bulletin Article

Government Finance and Administration Bill Update

Sheila McFarland

May 30, 2019

CSAC Bulletin Article

Bills and Budget Face Looming Deadlines

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

Counties Request Backfill for Diaper and Menstrual Products Tax Exemptions

Sheila McFarland

May 16, 2019

CSAC Bulletin Article

State Retiree Health Care Liability Decreases

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.

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