Take Action

January Take Action Brief

Affordability, accountability, and then the fires. This month’s fires in Los Angeles have rapidly shaped the narrative in Sacramento in ways that are still developing but are sure to affect the legislative and budgetary decisions for 2025 and beyond. When Speaker Robert Rivas gave remarks at the State Assembly’s Organizational Session on December 2, he stated, “Our task this session is urgent, and it’s clear: We must chart a new path forward and renew the California Dream by focusing on affordability.” When Governor Gavin Newsom presented his State Budget “toplines” preview on January 6, he shared his “word of the year” would be “accountability.” The next day, a series of catastrophic fires fueled by extreme Santa Ana winds hit LA, altering – or perhaps underlining – the Legislature’s and Governor’s charted course toward affordability and accountability.

Inside this edition:

• Overview of Governor’s 2025-26 January budget proposal
• Begin preparing for Prop 4 Climate Bond funding opportunities
• 2025 CSDA sponsored legislative proposals
• NSDC is now the National Special Districts Association

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Grassroots Mobilization Survey

One voice at one district may be able to reach one legislator, but to be successful we must reach all 120 legislators. By answering this survey, you are helping CSDA strengthen advocacy efforts on behalf of all special districts:

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Sample Policy for Adopting Positions on State Legislation

To make sure your district is ready to respond to a CSDA Call to Action in the fast-moving legislative environment, make sure your district has adopted a Legislative Advocacy Policy, governing the process your agency must go through to register your support or opposition to an issue that significantly impacts special districts.

Sample Policy

Key Messages: When Communicating with Legislators, Media, and the Public

As a member resource, CSDA has developed clear, considered, and consistent messages for members to use as desired when communicating on key issues facing special districts.

Key Messages