The California Contract Cities Association (CCCA), a nonprofit advancing collaboration within government and representing more than 7.5 million residents across 75 cities, recently postponed its annual Sacramento Legislative Orientation Tour (SLOT), during which city officials travel to the State Capitol to discuss policy with legislators. Still, CCCA is already advancing its agenda, first with the release of its 2022 Legislative Priorities:
- Local control: CCCA believes cities should be positioned to create and fashion policies that best fit the needs of their own communities.
- Housing/Land Use Development: Contract Cities supports legislation that grants cities the flexibility to best address affordable housing needs and transit-oriented development as well as action that offers relief to local governments navigating new zoning requirements.
- Post-Pandemic and Economic Recovery and Maintenance: The organization endorses action that helps cities utilize American Rescue Plan funding, increase workforce development and adjustments to public health order requirements based on a region’s recovery status.
- Homelessness: CCCA supports regional and city-driven solutions that address homelessness through crisis response, housing, mental health evaluation as well as streamlined protocols and metrics.
- Mental Health & Addiction: Contract Cities believes we should enhance mental health services and addiction treatments as essential to supporting vulnerable and unhoused communities.
- Energy/Utility: CCCA supports Community Choice Aggregation, wildlife mitigation through responsible forestry management and intergovernmental coordination as well as the expansion of access to reliable renewable energy.
- Public Safety: In 2022, the organization is advocating for practical measures to address public safety concerns including proper mitigation of crime, stakeholder engagement and equitable reform that strengthens community relationships.
- Water: Contract Cities also supports the preservation, protection and access of clean water as well as practical solutions that meet water quality compliance standards.
CCCA membership shares stances on these policies and issues affecting the way cities look and run.
“The energy, input and persistence of our members put CCCA in the fortunate position to advocate in the best interest of millions of California residents,” Marcel Rodarte, CCCA’s executive director, commented. “Local government remains the closest form of government to the people. By setting our local legislative priorities, we continue important conversations about the issues that matter most to the millions of residents CCCA represents.”
CCCA’s mission is to advance collaborative governance through contracting, a governing model that integrates cross-sector partnerships for essential services. For example, public safety through a county sheriff’s department.
Member cities extend from Los Angeles County to Riverside County. Contract cities such as these often have limited resources. By partnering with one another, they can negotiate quality and cost-effective services that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to provide on their own.
CCCA will promote its stances at SLOT from March 2-4 in the hopes of catalyzing real change for California cities and communities. Registration for SLOT is still open to CCCA members who want a chance at impacting legislation in 2022.