City leaders rally for three key ballot initiatives

By Kristine Guerrero, director of public affairs

Cal Cities and local leaders throughout the state are voicing their support for anti-crime, climate, and affordable housing measures on the November 2024 ballot.

In Fresno, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and elsewhere, local leaders held press conferences in support of Proposition 36. "Our cities are at a breaking point," Daniel Parra, Cal Cities president and Fowler mayor said in Fresno. "We are facing an escalating retail theft and shoplifting crisis, and a deadly fentanyl epidemic. Prop. 36 offers a balanced, practical approach to tackling these urgent challenges head-on."

If approved by voters, Prop. 36 could deter repeat retail theft by reclassifying some drug and theft crimes. It could also redirect some people towards treatment rather than incarceration. Most Californians support the measure, according to polling from the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, Public Policy Institute of California, and others.

Cal Cities earlier this year released a sample resolution for members and side-by-side comparison of the measure and the retail theft package signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Cal Cities also released several educational resources about Prop. 4 for members, including a funding guide and sample city resolution. The $10 billion climate bond could help cities respond and prepare for wildfires, floods, droughts, extreme heat, and other climate-related events. This Tuesday, Cal Cities hosted a webinar for members outlining the bond's various funding proposals.

Another Cal Cities-supported ballot initiative, Prop. 5, would lower the voter threshold to 55% for bonds used for affordable housing, permanent supportive housing, or public infrastructure - the same threshold used for school construction, rehabilitation, and replacement.

Cal Cities is supporting Prop. 5 with member training. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry are highly engaged in mobilization efforts.

With less than a month until election day, it's critical that city leaders and their residents know about the potential impacts of these measures. For more information, trainings, or sample resolutions please contact your regional public affairs manager.