58 Counties Strong, leaders make their voices heard in Sacramento During 2024 CSAC Legislative Conference
April 25, 2024
Working to amplify the collective voices of California’s Counties in the State Capitol, more than 400 county supervisors, Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), department heads, and other leaders convened in Sacramento County last week for the 2024 CSAC Legislative Conference.
This assembly not only provided a jumping off point for lobbying visits and networking opportunities but also facilitated engaging discussions with state elected officials and subject matter experts in policy. Participants delved into current state and federal advocacy priorities, refined their messaging and strategies, and examined the influential role of CSAC advocacy in unifying all 58 counties.
“Counties work tirelessly every day to serve our communities and implement the policies created in Sacramento. This conference is a critical part of our efforts to bring our members perspective to elected leaders and ultimately build a stronger state,” said CSAC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Graham Knaus.
The conference’s key highlights included a distinguished lineup of keynote speakers, featuring California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, California Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire, and California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber. Central to all three speakers’ addresses was the crucial role counties play in delivering essential services and safeguarding the integrity of our democratic processes.
Additionally, insightful reflections from CSAC President and San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Bruce Gibson, as well as CSAC CEO Graham Knaus, underscored the significance of county collaboration. California’s 58 counties form a cornerstone of the state’s governance structure, and our collective strength is amplified when we stand together.
The general session panels, featuring the CSAC Legislative Affairs team and retiring supervisors Keith Carson of Alameda County, Erin Hannigan of Solano County, and Richard Forster of Amador County, provided ample opportunities to delve into the value of our Association in fostering advocacy dialogues and professional growth.
Attendees benefited from CSAC workshops on Proposition 1 and Artificial Intelligence, along with policy committee meetings. Materials and presentations from these sessions are accessible here, and CSAC encourages counties to continue utilizing legislative packet materials in their advocacy endeavors.
This year’s legislative conference was again hosted concurrently with League of California Cities annual legislative conference to bring together the shared priorities of local leaders from both the city and county level to Sacramento.
Active participation in CSAC events is pivotal to ensuring your county’s voice resonates. Information regarding registration for the 130th Annual Meeting in Los Angeles County will be released shortly — early registration is advised to capitalize on discounted rates and secure accommodations within our hotel block. Meanwhile, counties are encouraged to engage with CSAC at the forthcoming Regional Meeting in Alameda County on June 20-21, focusing on Artificial Intelligence.