Articles

Rapidly rising pension costs threaten the delivery of public services, compromise budgets and will push some cities to the brink of fiscal collapse.

Cities and counties throughout California are considering adopting policies and programs to “green” their fleets by purchasing fuel-efficient and alternative-fuel vehicles.

Much effort has been expended trying to explain and analyze the purpose and effect of Proposition 26, the so-called “Stop Hidden Taxes Initiative.” This article provides the non-expert with…

The institute releases materials for local agencies about involving the public in local budgeting, working with local clergy and congregations, and public engagement stories.

It’s ironic but true: During tough economic times as library budgets are being cut, public library use increases. Sunnyvale used technology to overcome this challenge.

Local officials throughout California are finding new and more participatory ways to involve residents in local budgeting processes.

Terry Amsler is program director of the Institute for Local Government’s Public Engagement and Collaborative Governance program and can be reached at tamsler@ca-ilg.org. Greg Keidan, program coordinator of the Public Engagement and Collaborative Governance program, also contributed to this article.

More and more frequently, young people are being asked — and are asking — to play a larger role in discussions and decisions about local land use and other plans in their community. A growing number of California cities are involving youth in planning processes as local officials discover the capacity of young people to participate and the value of their insights.

State government says it is serious about job creation but kills jobs in the private and public sectors by raiding and borrowing local government funds. Proposition 22 offers a solution.

Lowe summarizes the League’s challenges and successes during the past year.

The state’s newest water conservation requirements for local governments will affect virtually every community in California.

While many purchasing cooperatives offer services, the League sponsors only one: U.S. Communities. Since 2001, the program has saved public agencies more than $1.3 billion. Several key elements set…

Innovative thinking helped Sunnyvale speed the execution of about 30 projects with a total value of $60 million. A winning combination of low bids, grants and a streamlined administrative process…

Ongoing state raids and state borrowing of local revenues continue to jeopardize the services that Californians need most. Borrowing local taxpayer and transportation funds exacerbates budget…

Obesity-related health care and physical inactivity cost California $41 billion annually. In their role as employers, cities can affect two leading components of health: nutrition and exercise….

More than 1,500 city officials attended the League of California Cities 2009 Annual Conference and Exposition held Sept. 16-18 in San Jose. Dozens of sessions and workshops focused on timely…

Even in these difficult financial times, local agencies are undertaking a wide range of activities that promote sustainability. Regardless of the reason behind the activities, they have one thing…

Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the federal government is providing a way for cities to issue taxable Build America Bonds and Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds, which…

City officials are grappling with the challenges of balancing their city budget while preserving the critically important services that are a central component of our quality of life. Clearly,…

Cities can take many simple steps to maximize the efficiency of CEQA review while maintaining legal defensibility, and streamlining the process can also save money.

In the past few years, some state leaders have proposed budget “solutions” that are clearly unconstitutional and fly in the face of the intent of not only the voters but the Legislature itself.

Regardless of how the state budget deficit is addressed, we have a long, hard road ahead of us to protect funding for local services in the years to come. City revenues continue to be on the table,…

The Marine Life Protection Act gives cities a tool to protect both economic and natural resources.

Despite recycling efforts, waste generation continues to increase.

The California Lighting Technology Center at the University of California, Davis, puts the goals of green design and energy-efficient lighting into practice and offers local governments a number of…

City officials are searching for ways to improve municipal efficiency, conserve resources and stretch the public’s dollars. In Southern California, a regional collaboration has found a way to do…