Blogs

2027 CSDA Committee & Expert Feedback Team Interest Forms Are Now Available!

By Morgan Leskody posted 2 days ago

2027 committee interest forms can be submitted ONLINE at CSDA.net! CSDA’s strength and effectiveness as an organization is directly related to our ability to involve members in the work of the association. Special districts board members and staff, as well as business affiliates bring tremendous talents and energy to CSDA and to the issues that concern special districts in California. With this in mind, we are asking for volunteers to participate and contribute on one or more of our committees and/or expert feedback teams to assist in shaping CSDA. If you or any others from your district or company would like to get involved with CSDA, please go to our ...

Federal Update: Week of July 13, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 2 days ago

Congress is in session. The Senate returns today to consider the NDAA and nominations. The House returns today to consider the NDAA and appropriations bills. The House Rules Committee will hold a business meeting on Monday to consider four bills, including the FY 2027 National Security-State Department appropriations bill and the Sunshine Protection Act of 2025 ( H.R.139 ). FY27 Appropriations: The House returns to consider FY 2027 appropriations bills and the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). However, President Trump has urged Republicans to send him a third reconciliation package, as well as pass the SAVE America Act, Republicans’ ...

Grants Update: Week of July 13, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 2 days ago

Announcements The next NSDA webinar is just ONE week away! Join NSDA on Thursday, July 16, 2026, for Getting Through the Front Door: SAM.gov, Federal Forms & Your First Application, a webinar that breaks down everything you need to know to submit federal grant applications with confidence. Register here . You’ll learn: How to successfully register with SAM.gov What the SF-424 forms actually mean How to avoid common first-time application mistakes Key federal deadlines you cannot afford to miss New Grant Opportunities Department of Health and Human Services FY 2026 First Responders: Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Support ...

Listen Like a Leader: One General Manager’s Journey in Leadership

By Morgan Leskody posted 9 days ago

By: Stephanie Jantzen, General Manager, El Dorado Hills Community Services District Being a General Manager is rewarding, and it’s hard. Being an elected official is harder still. I walked into an organization during the most challenging time it had faced since its inception in 1962. Grand jury reports, lawsuits, instability at the executive level, an inability to attract needed talent, staff drowning in uncertainty and fear, and a public that was angry, very angry. All of this was happening alongside a board facing unusual and unprecedented challenges, complex policy issues, and a former General Manager who had been unethical and dishonest. My most ...

Three Cost Drivers Every Special District Employer Should Understand About Workers’ Compensation

By Morgan Leskody posted 9 days ago

By: @Kristin Withrow As workers’ compensation costs continue to climb across California, special districts must be increasingly aware of the risk of high value claims. To better understand what is driving those costs—and what employers should be paying close attention to—we spoke with Gideon Baum, president of the California Workers’ Compensation Institute, on his presentation at the SDRMA Spring Education Day in March. Baum, who assumed leadership of CWCI in late 2025, has spent much of his career working at the intersection of public policy, data, and workers’ compensation reform. In our interview, he pointed to three major cost drivers that are reshaping ...

Grants Update: Week of July 6, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 9 days ago

Announcements The next NSDA webinar is just 2 weeks away! Join NSDA on July 16, 2026, for Getting Through the Front Door: SAM.gov, Federal Forms & Your First Application, a webinar that breaks down everything you need to know to submit federal grant applications with confidence. Register here . You’ll learn: How to successfully register with SAM.gov What the SF-424 forms actually mean How to avoid common first-time application mistakes Key federal deadlines you cannot afford to miss New Grant Opportunities Department of Homeland Security FY 2026 Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program WHAT DOES IT FUND? This program ...

Federal Update: Week of July 6, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 9 days ago

Congress: FY 27 Appropriations/Federal Legislation: This week, the House was expected to consider the FY 2027 National Security-State Department appropriations bill, as well as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). However, floor action and markups stalled amid the ongoing push for the SAVE America Act ( H.R.7296 ). Fourteen Republicans voted against a procedural rule that would have started debate on the National Security-State Department appropriations and NDAA, prompting House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to send lawmakers home on Wednesday, July 1 until the week of July 13. Housing Package: ...

The Mid-Year Legislative Report for All Special Districts is Out

By Morgan Leskody posted 9 days ago

By: @Kyle Packham On July 2, 2026, the California State Legislature adjourned for its one-month Summer Recess, providing the perfect opportunity to take stock in the status of legislation impacting special districts and the communities they serve. At this inflection point in the legislative cycle, CSDA has released its annual Mid-Year Legislative Report highlighting the legislation that matters most to California’s 2,000 special districts. Thus far, the Legislature has introduced and CSDA has reviewed 2,178 measures, with CSDA adopting “priority” positions, such as “support” or “oppose” on 235 of them and watching hundreds more. CSDA's 2026 advocacy ...

State Budget Deal: Impacts on Special Districts

By Morgan Leskody posted 16 days ago

By: @Kyle Packham , @Marcus Detwiler , and @Anthony Tannehill Late Monday, June 29, the California State Legislature formally passed the 2026-2027 State Budget deal announced by Governor Gavin Newsom and Legislative leaders the preceding Friday. The $352 billion budget spared special districts from new restrictions on development related fees needed for infrastructure while raising sales and use taxes on digital software. Additional budget legislation is possible later this week and is expected in the closing days before the August 31 end to the legislative session. The Legislature and Governor have deferred Proposition 4 bond funding allocation decisions ...

NSDA Documenting Concerns About OMB Proposed Rule to Rework Federal Funding Processes

By Morgan Leskody posted 16 days ago

NSDA is currently analyzing, providing resources and asking for input. What are we hearing? NSDA has been collecting feedback on potential impacts from the rule changes and across the board, our members are extremely concerned. Please send feedback to your State Association lead or Chantalu@nationalspecialdistricts.org. What is most concerning? Potential termination of grants at anytime for any reason Review and cancellation by political appointees which may create bottlenecks No consultation process of the rule proposal potential for impacts to municipal bond ratings and project delivery. Extension Request: The National League ...