President's Message

Overview

President’s Message

Article President’s Message By League of California Cities President Daniel Parra

Our housing crisis puts people one paycheck from precarity

The housing crisis in our communities is linked to our economic vitality. When residents are spending so much on housing that they can’t visit businesses, it puts a significant strain on the local economy. Low-income residents and communities of color are impacted the hardest.

An artificially generated image of farmers picking vegetables.
Article President's Message By League of California Cities President Daniel Parra

Climate change impacts us all, but some more than others

A new report found that the existential effects of human-caused climate change are getting worse. The bright spot in all of this is that many cities in California are at the forefront of trying to address climate change. That’s why we must think locally but act statewide.

Article President’s Message By League of California Cities President Daniel Parra

We will go far, together

A diversity of people and perspectives matters. That is the backbone of Cal Cities. Make no mistake, we face great challenges. But together, we are stronger.

Article President’s Message By League of California Cities President Ali Sajjad Taj

The secret to Cal Cities’ enduring success

Our success lies in the fact that we are always evolving and in our passion for bettering the lives of Californians. I can guarantee you that 125 years ago, I would not be your Cal Cities President. We are all different and unique. But at our core, we care about the same things.

Article President’s Message By League of California Cities President Ali Sajjad Taj

Trust is critical to governing and advocacy

Public trust is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. Just as our residents count on us to deliver services, they trust us to govern in a way that considers their best interests and improves their communities. At the core of this responsibility is advocating for our communities.

Article President’s Message By League of California Cities President Ali Sajjad Taj

Extreme weather is putting California’s infrastructure in uncharted territory

As our climate crisis deepens, so too does the threat of extreme weather and the increased strain on our infrastructure. Despite recent federal investments in infrastructure, California cities need more support from the federal government to address the needs of our communities.

Article President’s Message By League of California Cities President Ali Sajjad Taj

Local control starts with protecting local revenues

Fiscal certainty is critical to the sustainability of local services that residents rely upon. In the face of economic uncertainty and a growing state deficit, Cal Cities is focused on pushing back against any proposals that would disrupt this certainty.

Article President’s Message By League of California Cities President Ali Sajjad Taj

We must double down on our equity commitments during tougher fiscal times — especially those for unhoused residents

With the state foreshadowing some belt-tightening, things could get worse before they get better. Now more than ever, we need to keep fighting to ensure that the cities have the resources they need to help our most vulnerable residents.

Article President’s Message By League of California Cities President Ali Sajjad Taj

Strong relationships and high-quality education propel our member-driven advocacy

I have learned that by working together through Cal Cities, all our cities are stronger, and our advocacy is even more effective. The importance of working with a unified voice is magnified as we approach the end of 2022.

Article President’s Message By League of California Cities President Cindy Silva

Six lessons learned while serving California’s cities

I started this year with just one goal: To help all of us, as city leaders, re-energize and put new vigor into our collective work to improve the quality of life of all Californians. Little did I know, the year would turn out to be so much more. I learned valuable lessons that will serve me well beyond this year as president.

Article President’s Message By League of California Cities President Cindy Silva

The building blocks for sustaining public trust

Local governments are viewed as the most trusted level of government. When cities have the trust of the public, they foster robust public engagement and community collaboration. Most importantly, public trust leads to better decisions. In her message this month, League of California Cities President and Walnut Creek Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Silva outlines three foundational pillars for building and maintaining that trust. 

Article President’s Message By League of California Cities President Cindy Silva

Federal infrastructure package ends a years-long funding drought, and Cal Cities is committed to ensuring all cities get their turn at the faucet

After months of negotiations, Congress passed the $1.2 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. If your city is like mine, you have a long list of infrastructure projects that need funding. The challenge is that the federal infrastructure package is incredibly complicated, encompassing hundreds of separate programs across multiple agencies.

Article President’s Message By League of California Cities President Cindy Silva

Going forward, municipal finance will require new levels of leadership resilience

Local leaders are astutely aware that the pandemic is not over and that our local communities continue to reel from its public health and fiscal impacts. Despite this uncertainty, city leaders continue to press forward as we chart a path to recovery. And prudent financial decision-making will be critical in our recovery efforts.  

Article President’s Message By League of California Cities President Cindy Silva

Cal Cities’ equity roadmap can help cities chart an equitable pandemic recovery

On any given day in any newspaper across the country, you’ll most likely find a story chronicling how communities of color have been hit hardest by the pandemic, and how economic recovery in these same communities is occurring at a much slower rate. The facts make it very clear that the pandemic accelerated and exacerbated many of the already-existing inequities in our communities around income, housing affordability, and homelessness.

Cal Cities new president  speaks at podium
Article President’s Message By League of California Cities President Cindy Silva

Finding light in dark times, city officials emerge stronger together

The League of California Cities Board of Directors elected Walnut Creek Council Member Cindy Silva to serve as 2021-2022 President during the Annual Conference and Expo. For Silva’s first “President’s Message,” she talks about the future of cities, and shares her view of Cal Cities as a place where local officials can work together to tackle challenges, capitalize on new opportunities, and move forward for the betterment of all communities.

Woman speaking at podium
Article President’s Message By League of California Cities President and El Centro Mayor Cheryl Viegas Walker

Hindsight may be 2020, but 2021 gave city leaders a new vision for the future

One year ago, League of California Cities President and El Centro Mayor Cheryl Viegas Walker shared her thoughts about the role of city leaders in a time of unparalleled challenges and uncertainty, as well as her vision for the future. Now, as her term draws to a close, she looks back at the successes of the past year.

Dry cracked ground
Article President’s Message By League of California Cities President and El Centro Mayor Cheryl Viegas Walker

Facing climate change head-on: city leaders must act swiftly to prepare for its impacts

The immediate and secondary impacts of climate change can be felt deeply in our communities, but we as city leaders have a responsibility to our residents and future generations to mitigate these impacts as much as possible. Cities are leading the way in finding innovative strategies to protect their communities from climate change and cultivate healthy and sustainable communities.  

The Rylan Project, a five-story mixed use residential and commercial space, located in the downtown region of the city of Vista.
Article President’s Message By League of California Cities President and El Centro Mayor Cheryl Viegas Walker

Unprecedented opportunities emerge for cities in a post-pandemic world

As COVID-19 positivity rates continue to decline and vaccination rates increase, California city leaders are shifting from around-the-clock pandemic response to developing plans for long-term economic recovery. The resurgence of local economies is key to our nation’s recovery from a devastating yearlong pandemic, and as city officials map out equitable recovery efforts in their communities, inclusive economic development strategies must be a core component of these long-term plans. 

Article President’s Message By League of California Cities President and El Centro Mayor Cheryl Viegas Walker

Cal Cities delivers on local control, funding, and resources for cities

The decisions that we make every day as city leaders, especially housing and land use decisions, cannot be made in a vacuum. All city services and programs must be viewed through a lens of equity, and this new Advancing Equity Advisory Committee will play an integral role in identifying how cities can recognize and eliminate disparities in our systems.

Article President's Message by Cheryl Viegas Walker

Cal Cities strategic priorities set a course for 2021

In December 2020, city leaders who serve in leadership positions for the League of California Cities divisions, departments, policy committees, and diversity caucuses convened virtually for the annual League Leaders program, to chart the organization’s priorities for 2021. Developing member-driven and -informed strategic advocacy priorities is key to the effectiveness of Cal Cities’ advocacy efforts on behalf of cities.