City leaders call on lawmakers to prioritize voter-backed priorities of homelessness, public safety, and climate change in the state budget

Contact: Kayla Sherwood
ksherwood@calcities.org
(530) 844-1744

MEDIA ADVISORY

Sacramento - City officials from throughout the state will join the League of California Cities for a member rally and news conference to outline what cities need in the 2025-26 State Budget to help implement and achieve shared local and state priorities regarding homelessness, Prop. 36 implementation, and the Prop. 4 climate bond.

Cal Cities will also release new survey data highlighting how cities are addressing homeless encampments in their communities.

What: News conference and member rally

When: Wednesday, April 23, at 11:30 a.m.

Where: Capitol Park near L street, between 13th and 14th streets

Speakers:

• Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson
• Bellflower Council Member Victor Sanchez
• Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen
• Santa Rosa Council Member Natalie Rogers
• Cal Cities President and Rancho Cucamonga Mayor Pro Tem Lynne B. Kennedy
• Cal Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman
  

The press conference is part of the City Leaders Summit, which will bring together more than 400 city officials from throughout the state to advocate in the Capitol. Following the press conference, Cal Cities will host several educational sessions for city officials on the most pressing challenges facing cities today, including homeless encampments, Prop 36 implementation, the impact of federal policy decisions on state and local budgets, and wildfires and disaster preparedness. The summit will take place at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center, and featured speakers include:

2:00-2:45 p.m.

Proposition 36 Implementation: Where We Are Now?

Speakers:

• Senator Tom Umberg (confirmed)
• Karen Pank, Executive Director, Chief Probation Officers of California (confirmed)
• Jonathan Raven, Assistant CEO, California District Attorneys Association (confirmed)
• Cory Salzillo, CA Sheriffs Association (confirmed)
  

2:45-3:30 p.m.

Homeless Encampments: State and Local Strategies

Speakers:

• Senator Catherine Blakespear (confirmed)
• Council Member Caity Maple (confirmed)
• Peggy Flynn, City Manager, City of Petaluma (confirmed)
  

3:45-4:15 p.m.

California State Budget: Potential Outcomes of Federal Budget Cuts

Speakers:

• Scott Graves, Budget Director, California Budget and Policy Center (confirmed)
• Michael Wallace, Legislative Director; Housing, Community, and Economic Development, National League of Cities (confirmed)
  

4:15-5:00 p.m.

Wildfires and Disasters: The Path to Preparedness and the Road to Recovery

Speakers:

• Assemblymember John Harabedian (confirmed)
• State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant (confirmed)
• California Office of Emergency Services (invited)
• Reva Feldman, Former City Manager of Malibu (confirmed)
  

If media are interested in interviewing panelists before or after the panel start time, contact Kayla Sherwood at ksherwood@calcities.org to discuss media availability.

Established in 1898, the League of California Cities is a nonprofit statewide association that advocates for cities with the state and federal governments and provides education and training services to elected and appointed city officials.

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