2026 Advocacy Priorities

How does the League determine the organization’s top issues?

City leaders throughout the state work hard every day to improve the quality of life for their residents and create an equitable and just future for all Californians.

In setting the League of California Cities annual advocacy priorities, cities remain committed to resiliency, response, and recovery to strengthen our cities and move our communities forward. We stand ready to work collaboratively with the state governments and other stakeholders to accomplish our advocacy priorities in 2026.

1. Protect and enhance local revenues and expand economic development tools.

Californians are deeply concerned about affordability. Cities must safeguard local revenue streams, oppose unfunded mandates, and pursue new economic development tools that bolster local economies.

2. Strengthen partnerships with the state to improve public safety.

The progress cities have been making to strengthen public safety must be sustained. Cities call on the state to respect the will of the voters and provide the resources needed to fully implement Proposition 36. Cities support sustained investments in police, fire services, and public works as a foundation of public safety. 

3. Secure investments to prevent and reduce homelessness and increase the supply of affordable housing.

Secure ongoing funding to bolster all cities’ efforts to support unhoused residents and strengthen state and regional partnerships to expand access to wraparound services.

Secure ongoing funding to accelerate the construction of affordable housing and reform the Regional Housing Needs Allocation process.

Ensure cities have the flexibility and local decision-making authority to meet their community and state housing goals, as well as reduce homelessness.

4. Strengthen climate change resiliency and disaster preparedness.

Support city efforts to prepare, prevent, and adapt to natural disasters and the impacts of climate change, including wildfires, drought, sea level rise, and other extreme weather events. Increase transparency and access to insurance policies, especially following a natural disaster.