Blogs

By: @Dane Wadlé

With about 30 percent of members of the California State Legislature expected to turn-over following the November 5 General Election, CSDA’s Public Affairs Field Coordinators are hard at work connecting CSDA members with current and prospective lawmakers in advance of the 2025-26 Legislative Session and beyond. CSDA has organized 43 legislative roundtable meetings so far in 2024, with each event bringing together multiple special districts to meet with their state or federal representatives to educate and provide an update on key issues facing the communities they serve.

Through proactively organized roundtables, CSDA members can grow the awareness and understanding of special districts while strengthening district relationships with their legislative delegation. CSDA promotes the local service specialists leading special districts as the ideal resource for lawmakers to utilize when considering public policy affecting the natural resources, public safety, health, and well-being of the communities and constituents they mutually serve.

Approximately 26 new Assembly Members and nine new State Senators are expected to swear-in to the State Legislature in December. The anticipated changeover provides an opportunity for CSDA and its members to reach out to officials early, before the new legislative session begins.

In the last month, CSDA has organized four roundtables with four prospective State Legislators:

Assembly District 2 

Assembly District 2 includes Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino and Trinity counties in CSDA’s Northern Network and parts of Sonoma County in the Bay Area Network. On September 25, five special districts participated in a virtual meeting with candidate Chris Rogers. 

The five districts that attended were: Forestville Water District, Sonoma Resource Conservation District, Sonoma County Water District, Brooktrails Township CSD, and Noyo Harbor District. The discussion ranged from resource conservation to water to harbor district issues. The candidate was very interested in local government issues and is already well-familiar with numerous special districts throughout the region.

Assembly District 13 

Assembly District 13 includes most of San Joaquin County in CSDA’s Sierra Network. On September 27, special districts met with candidate Rhodesia Ransom at the San Joaquin Mosquito and Abatement District. 

The Stockton East Water District and the Tracy Rural Fire Protection District joined the hosting mosquito abatement district to share the current issues their districts are experiencing. The meeting also included a tour of the mosquito abatement district’s laboratory. 

Assembly District 6 

Assembly District 6 is located entirely within Sacramento County, part of CSDA’s Sierra Network. On October 9, three districts met with candidate Maggy Krell at the CSDA Training Center in downtown Sacramento. 

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District, the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, and the Sacramento Suburban Water District highlighted relevant local issues for the candidate, who also expressed a desire to tour local district facilities in the future. 

Senate District 25 

Senate District 25 includes parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties in CSDA’s Southern Network. On October 15, five districts participated in a meeting with candidate Sasha Perez.

The five districts that joined this roundtable included: Three Valleys Municipal Water District, San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District, West Valley Water District, San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District, and Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District.

CSDA appreciates the special district attendees who took the time to participate in these meetings. These local roundtables advance the strategic objective to enhance CSDA’s advocacy program and position CSDA as the voice for all special districts throughout the state. By meeting with the state-level leaders who may be part of the State Legislature later this year, we are getting a head start on building key relationships for 2025 and beyond.

To learn more about developing a relationship with your legislative delegation, download CSDA’s guidebook: Take Action: Engaging with your Community and Legislators.

If you have questions or would like help reaching out and connecting with your legislative delegation, contact your CSDA Public Affairs Field Coordinator.

#DistrictsStrongerTogether