Blogs

CARB Public Meeting Today: Discuss California’s Comprehensive Climate Action Plan

By Ophelia Szigeti posted 9 hours ago
The California Air Resources Board will hold a public meeting today, March 19, at 5 PM on the state’s 'Comprehensive Climate Action Plan.' Staff will present details of the plan and seek public input on key issues shaping its development. Click here to register. For questions, contact ca.cprg@arb.ca.gov.

Understanding Cell Tower Leases: Key Considerations for Property Owners

By Kristin Withrow posted yesterday
By Nigel Paxton, Aries Advisors; Cell Tower Consulting When people discover that firms exist to represent property owners, such as CSDA members, in negotiating and managing cell tower lease transactions, they are often surprised. This reaction is understandable - while cellphones and related technologies are ubiquitous, this role remains quite niche. Because of this, there are always opportunities to educate and share important information, allowing property owners to understand their options, make informed business decisions, and mitigate risks related to these leases. Questions such as, "How can a district get a cell tower?" or "Is it true that these ...

ZEV Mandate Reform Bill Set for Hearing

By Kristin Withrow posted yesterday
Support Letters Due Noon Wednesday, March 26 By: @Kyle Packham SB 496 (Hurtado), co-sponsored by CSDA, CalCities, California State Association of Counties, and Rural County Representatives of California, has been set for hearing in the Senate Environmental Quality Committee on Wednesday, April 2. CSDA is calling all special districts to submit an Automated Form Letter or download our sample letter and register your support by the noon March 26 committee deadline. Take Action: Support SB 496 before it’s heard in policy committee Authorize automated form letter submission Download collateral Read CSDA’s co-sponsor letter ...

Federal Legislative Update - Week of March 17, 2025

By Kristin Withrow posted yesterday
Congress Averts Government Shutdown with Six-Month Stopgap Funding Measure On March 14, the Senate gave final approval to a stopgap funding bill that will keep the federal government running through September 30, 2025. The Continuing Resolution (CR; H.R. 1968 ), which narrowly passed the House earlier in the week, was crafted by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) in coordination with the Trump administration. The $1.7 trillion package would increase defense spending by roughly $6 billion, while cutting about $13 billion from non-defense discretionary programs. It largely maintains fiscal year 2024 funding levels but includes several key anomalies – most notably, ...

Special Districts Week is Coming May 18-24

By Kristin Withrow posted yesterday
Access CSDA’s toolkit now and prepare your communications By @Lilia Hernandez Assembly Local Government Committee Chair Juan Carrillo has introduced the CSDA sponsored Assembly Concurrent Resolution 36 to officially proclaim the week of May 18-24 to be Special Districts Week. This is the 7th consecutive year that such a resolution was introduced in the State Legislature. Take Action: Access the toolkit to prepare your district for Special Districts Week Press release template Sample resolution Sample newsletter article Sample support letter Social media graphics coming soon Special Districts Week coincides with CSDA’s Special ...

Help Your District Access Federal Funding

By Kristin Withrow posted yesterday
Your examples needed to promote historic legislation By: @Kyle Packham We hear it regularly, special districts and the communities they serve are left out of federal funding, overlooked, or mired in bureaucracy. The National Special Districts Association (NSDA) needs your examples of challenges in accessing federal funding in order to finally do something about it. Please respond by March 25 to facilitate federal advocacy efforts related to the pending reintroduction of legislation developed by NSDA to define special districts in federal law and ensure equitable access to funding. NOTE: The survey is NOT related to the Trump administration’s recent ...

NSDA Webinar: Federal Grant Funding Outlook for 2025

By Kristin Withrow posted yesterday
Kickoff Session: Federal Grant Funding Outlook for 2025 Thursday, April 3 at 11:00 am PST Register Now Join us for the kickoff session of the 2025 NSDA Grant Program Webinar Series, where experts from The Ferguson Group (TFG) will provide a comprehensive overview of federal grant opportunities in 2025 under the Trump administration and the new Congress. This first session of the 2025 NSDA Grant Program Webinar Series will introduce the program, highlighting new resources available to NSDA members, and discuss how federal grants can support special districts in addressing critical challenges. With a duration of one hour to 75 minutes, this webinar ...

Fast-Tracking Wildfire Prevention Projects Under California’s State of Emergency

By Kristin Withrow posted 8 days ago
By: Kellan Martz, Of Counsel, Best Best & Krieger LLP I. Introduction California continues to face worsening wildfire risks, with devastating fires becoming more frequent and severe. The combination of drought, heavy rainfall, and fuel accumulation has increased the likelihood of large, destructive wildfires, particularly in high-risk areas such as the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). It is the transition area where structures and other human development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuels. In California, this area encompasses millions of housing units. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection ...

CSDA is YOUR Association and we Want to Know What You Think

By Kristin Withrow posted 8 days ago
The CSDA Board of Directors and Staff are preparing to update CSDA’s Strategic Plan for the next three years and we want to know what’s important to you! 2025 Member Survey The deadline for responses is April 4, 2025. The CSDA Board and Staff will review all CSDA Member feedback during their Planning Session meeting in June and develop the 2026-2028 Plan around it. Each person completing the survey by the deadline will be entered into a drawing to possibly win one of six $50 Amazon gift cards . #FeatureNews

Level Up Your Engagement: New Badges & Rewards in Our Online Community!

By Kristin Withrow posted 8 days ago
We’re excited to introduce an all-new way to make your experience in CSDA Communities ( My Communities - California Special Districts Association ) even more engaging and rewarding. Starting now, members can earn badges by actively participating in discussions, sharing insights, and helping fellow special district professionals navigate challenges. How It Works Every time you contribute to the community, you’ll have the chance to unlock achievement badges. Whether you’re asking thoughtful questions, making sure your profile is fully completed, providing expert advice, or networking with your peers, you’ll earn badges the more you participate. Earn Recognition ...

Help us Fight for Affordability

By Kristin Withrow posted 8 days ago
Does your special district benefit from nonprofit partnerships or tax-exempt municipal bonds? By: @Kyle Packham The National Special Districts Association (NSDA), of which CSDA is a founding member, is leading special districts across the country in protecting the tax-exempt status of non-profits that partner with our members as well as tax-exempt municipal bonds. As the new Congress undertakes tax reform legislation, our educational effort is critical to prevent painful cost increases on local agencies and the communities they serve. Please help us! Please complete our brief survey by March 21 Fill out this form online Background: Nonprofit ...

Federal Advocacy Update Week of March 10, 2025

By Kristin Withrow posted 8 days ago
Republicans Race to Pass Party-Line Stopgap Funding Bill as Shutdown Looms Washington is less than five days away from a government shutdown, and House Republican leaders —in coordination with President Donald Trump— have unveiled a seven-month funding patch that would keep the federal government running through September 30th. The Continuing Resolution (CR) includes billions of dollars of additional spending for deportations, veterans’ health care, and the military while cutting an even larger amount of non-defense program funding. Specifically, the measure would increase defense spending by about $6 billion over current budgets, while non-defense funding ...

From the Capitol: Assemblymember Tri Ta

By Kristin Withrow posted 9 days ago
Elected in 2022, Assemblymember Tri Ta serves California’s 70th Assembly District which includes parts of northern Orange County, encompassing Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Los Alamitos, Westminster and portions of Huntington Beach and Santa Ana. The population of over 450,000 people includes a diverse community of voters of all parties. Prior to being elevated to state office, Assemblymember Ta held the distinction of being the first Vietnamese American to hold the office of city Mayor in the United States, when he served the city of Westminster. California Special Districts Association Senior Public Affairs Field Coordinator Chris Palmer reached out to Assemblymember ...

This COG is Not Like the Others – and That’s Working Just Fine

By Kristin Withrow posted 16 days ago
By @Kristin Withrow , CSDA Communications Specialist Much like special districts were created to provide essential services in their communities, the vast State of California has a regional government structure developed to help tackle broad challenges that impact multiple jurisdictions. One segment of regional government is the Council of Governments (COG) which is often comprised of city and county representatives. The Orange County Council of Governments (OCCOG) has expanded their representation to include special districts. Marnie Primmer, Executive Director of the Orange County Council of Governments, gave her perspective on the relevance of special ...

CSDA Co-Sponsors Advanced Clean Fleets Reform of ZEV Mandate

By Kristin Withrow posted 16 days ago
By: @Anthony Tannehill CSDA, in partnership with local government advocates representing cities and counties, has co-sponsored SB 496 (Hurtado) to provide relief to local agencies in their efforts to comply with the ambitious deadlines and requirements of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) / Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEV) mandates. As local agencies strive to achieve the State’s climate and emissions goals, while confronting the barriers outside their control, SB 496 will help state and local agencies more effectively navigate the ACF regulation and its associated risks and costs to our communities. Of critical concern ...

Response Needed to Support Top Special District Federal Legislative Priority

By Kristin Withrow posted 16 days ago
By: National Special Districts Association The National Special Districts Association (NSDA), of which CSDA is a founding member, seeks input from special districts regarding challenges in accessing federal funding. Responses preferred by March 25 to facilitate federal advocacy efforts related to the pending reintroduction of legislation to define special districts in federal law and ensure equitable access to funding. NOTE: The survey is NOT related to the Trump administration’s recent federal funding freeze and the ongoing challenges that some special districts are experiencing with accessing/receiving payments/reimbursements from certain federal agencies. ...

"Life Without Limits Through Golf" – An Inclusive Program for All Abilities

By Kristin Withrow posted 22 days ago
By Elena Burgé, Community Relations Coordinator, Cordova Recreation & Park District Golf can be more than just a sport. For many, it’s a way to build confidence, foster friendships and enjoy the outdoors. At Cordova Recreation & Park District (CRPD), the "Life Without Limits Through Golf" (LWLTG) program is redefining what the game can offer by opening it up to people who may never have thought the sport was accessible to them. Launched in early 2023, this innovative program provides children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families a chance to experience golf in an inclusive, welcoming environment. In partnership with United Cerebral ...

Take Action Month – Week Four

By Kristin Withrow posted 23 days ago
Let’s Make Special Districts Stronger at the Capitol – Together By: @Kyle Packham Here in California, if special districts want a better seat at the table when it comes to funding, infrastructure, and other needs, we need to make our voice – and our presence – known. Many special districts have developed a relationship with at least one of their legislators, but while one legislator can author and introduce a bill, it takes at least 40 more Assembly Members and 20 more State Senators to pass that bill and get it to the Governor’s desk. No one district can do that on its own. That’s what CSDA’s Grassroots Mobilization program is for, and one reason ...

NSDA Coordinating Reintroduction of Federal Special District Definition – Sign on to National Support Team and Download Talking Points

By Kristin Withrow posted 23 days ago
By @Kyle Packham With NSDA's national leadership and coordination, CSDA strongly supports the reintroduction of federal special district definition legislation. While no public announcements have been made, Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) - and Representatives Pat Fallon (R-TX) and Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) - have signaled their commitment to sponsoring the bill and are busy developing their strategy and timeline for formal introduction. On the heels of bipartisan action on H.R. 7525 , developed by NSDA during the 118th Congress and approved by the full House, NSDA has high hopes for passage in the 119th Congress. While NSDA is eager ...

Special Report: Executive Action on Federal Funding, Plus NSDA Federal Funding Webinar Series Announced

By Kristin Withrow posted 23 days ago
By @Kyle Packham It is hard to keep up since January 27, when the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued Memorandum M-25-13 , directing federal agencies to temporarily halt the distribution of financial assistance, including grants, loans, and congressionally directed spending, so the National Special Districts Association (NSDA) is providing our members with a special report that includes answers to common questions we are receiving. Download NSDA's Special Report Additionally, CSDA is pleased to announce the 2025 NSDA Federal Funding Webinar Series will begin April 3 at 11:00am – save all the dates below: Federal Funding ...