Governance, Legislation, and Law

Overview

Governance, Legislation & Law

Article President’s Message by Rich Garbarino

Meeting the Challenges Ahead for Cities

A report on progress made during the past year and a look at what lies ahead.

Article Legal Notes by T. Peter Pierce

Loaded Questions: Local Regulation of Businesses Selling Firearms

A look at local zoning and safety regulations that cities may adopt and apply to firearms retailers.

Article Features

Before, During and After California Wildland Fires: The New Normal

Lessons from one of the worst fire years in California history.

Article Features by Charity Schiller

Newly Proposed CEQA Guidelines Are Coming to Your Town

Key facts and trends city officials need to understand.

Article Executive Director's Message by Carolyn Coleman

November Ballot Measure Attacks Bridge and Road Safety: Mobilize Now

Proposition 6 would repeal the Road Repair and Accountability Act.

Article Features by Frank Benest

Winning the War for Talent: The Elected Official’s Role

Talent is mobile and in short supply.

Article Features by Jared Boigon

Keys to Successful Local Sales Tax Measures: Competent Leadership, Community Engagement and Experienced Advice

Tips to make your case to voters effectively.

Article Features by Steven M. Berliner

Strategies to Manage Increasing Pension Costs

Explore ways to tackle this daunting task.

Article City Forum by Eva Spiegel

Invest in Your City by Participating in League Policy Development

Help shape the statewide policies that directly affect your city.

Article Features by Steve Sanders and Karalee Browne

Collaboration Helps Cities Become More Prosperous and Sustainable

Partnerships can help local communities attract investments that advance sustainability and boost local economies.

Article Features by Hang Tran

Three Ways to Connect With Your Community’s Youth

Connecting with young people in your city to promote civic education and engagement provides a number of benefits and has the potential to create a generation of active, informed citizens.

Article Legal Notes

U.S. Supreme Court Revisits Sales and Use Taxes in the E-Commerce Age

The case involves a challenge to South Dakota’s “remote seller compliance law” that imposes sales and use tax collection duties on retailers without a physical presence in the jurisdiction. If the court upholds the state’s scheme, the case could establish sweeping changes to how sales and use taxes are collected in the e-commerce age.

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Article City Forum by Eva Spiegel and Jude Hudson

Relaxation and Inspiration: A Summer Reading List for City Officials and Staff

Western City asked League members which books inspired them as local government leaders, and their recommendations comprise the magazine’s first-ever summer reading list. Whether you’re selecting books to take along on summer vacation or read at home, consider these intriguing titles.

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Article Executive Director's Message by Carolyn Coleman

Transportation Funding, Transparency and Accountability

The League offers a variety of new tools and resources to support cities’ transparency efforts.

Article Features by Dan Carrigg

Redevelopment’s Elimination: Remembering the Local Experience

As new tools emerge, expect local officials to exercise caution.

Article Features by Dan Carrigg

Reassembling Redevelopment

The new tax-increment tools lack the concentrated financial impact provided by the former redevelopment tool. Left unaddressed, this financing gap presents significant challenges for the future use of these tools.

Article News from the Institute for the Local Government by Steve Sanders

State Climate Investments Boost Local Communities

State programs aimed at solving climate change can also help cities tackle many of their other community priorities. The cap-and-trade program generates substantial revenue that the state invests to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve other community co-benefits.

Article President’s Message by Rich Garbarino

Pushing Back on Infrastructure Issues: Key to Our Local and State Economies

The League has focused on transportation infrastructure needs for over a decade, and this remains a priority for California cities in 2018.

Article Features Sarah Rubin

Spanish-Language Leadership Academies Build Trust and Civic Participation

Article Executive Director's Message Carolyn Coleman

Fighting Homelessness: Effective Strategies

A new report from the League and its partners showcases existing and emerging approaches that are having a positive impact on homelessness in California communities.