California cities are caught between mounting public anger over
data centers and local economic needs. Many have decided to
outright block new data centers or create stricter environmental
and public consultation standards for future projects.
Carolyn Steffan had to be talked into becoming Tehama’s city
clerk. Today, Steffan is the longest-serving city clerk in state
history — and maybe even the U.S.
More and more cities are trying to find local solutions to
skyrocketing grocery bills, made worse by federal cuts and
changes to CalFresh. Experts estimate that cuts to CalFresh alone
will reduce or eliminate food support for 3 million California
households.
“[Irvine] has this amazing spirit of innovation that allows it to
be able to do creative things, and working with them on the
Gateway Preserve and the Jeffrey Open Space Trail is a prime
example of the city’s views, values, and abilities,” says Mike
O’Connell, Irvine Ranch Conservancy president and CEO.
“For many communities, electric bike technology has moved faster
than the law,” write Carlsbad Council Member Teresa Acosta
and City Manager Geoff Patnoe. “But in Carlsbad, we are working
to proactively respond to this nuanced, emerging challenge.”
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in a high-profile
gerrymandering case this year could significantly alter the
California Voting Rights Act and whether cities must transition
away from at-large elections.
Western City asked the leaders of the League of
California Cities’ policy committees what they thought the next
Governor should do when he takes office. In general, their
message was the same: It’s time to do things differently.