Blogs

Army Corps Launches Streamlining Initiative

By Morgan Leskody posted an hour ago
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) recently announced a major reform effort – “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork” (BINP) –aimed at accelerating delivery of Civil Works projects and streamlining permitting processes nationwide. The initiative is designed to refocus USACE on its core water resources missions, prioritize high-impact infrastructure projects, and reduce or eliminate regulatory requirements and paperwork that delay project delivery. The plan includes 27 initiatives organized under five categories: maximizing infrastructure delivery, cutting red tape, improving efficiency, increasing transparency and accountability, and strengthening ...

HUD Proposes Optional Work Requirements and Term Limits for Housing Assistance

By Morgan Leskody posted 22 hours ago
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has just released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would allow public housing authorities (PHAs) and landlords participating in federal rental assistance programs to establish work requirements and term limits for certain households. The proposal follows a recent HUD action related to eligibility standards for families with mixed immigration status. Under current law, a limited number of PHAs participating in HUD’s Moving to Work (MTW) demonstration program have authority to test employment incentives and work-related policies. The new proposal would broaden that flexibility to most ...

Federal Legislative Update: Week of March 2, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 22 hours ago
House and Senate Action Lawmakers return this week under the shadow of a rapidly escalating conflict with Iran. This debate is likely to dominate floor activity and messaging throughout the week. House The House will consider a handful of measures on the suspension calendar (requires 2/3 majority), including legislation (H.R. 4386) that would require the Interior Secretary to issue guidance clarifying that a single "America the Beautiful" Annual Pass admits two motorcycles into national parks. House GOP leaders also plan to bring the stalled FY 2026 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill back to the floor on Thursday. The renewed ...

Take Action Month Was the First Step…

By Morgan Leskody posted 22 hours ago
By: @Kyle Packham Take Action Month concludes as we continue analyzing the hundreds of new bills introduced in February. In the coming weeks, State Legislators will be making critical decisions that could affect funding and impact how special districts deliver essential services to our communities. What we started with Take Action Month — providing the tools you need to make your district an even stronger voice in your community — is only the beginning. Now is when the real work begins to put those tools, resources and strategies into play. Where to begin? Here is your Take Action Checklist: Take our 30-second Grassroots Mobilization Survey ...

Inform DWR on Climate Bond Grant Funding by March 6

By Morgan Leskody posted 22 hours ago
By: @Aaron Avery The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is soliciting input on its Watershed Resilience Program and funding under Proposition 4, the $10 billion Climate Bond passed by voters in 2024. Interested special districts should complete DWR’s SURVEY by the deadline of March 6, 2026. Specifically, the Watershed Resilience Program will combine funding from Proposition 4 Sections 91019 (for projects that increase water conservation in agricultural and urban areas) and 91031 (for projects related to integrated regional water management to improve climate resilience on a watershed basis) into one grant program. After removal of state ...

CSDA Co-Sponsors “Common Cents” Cash Transactions Bill

By Morgan Leskody posted 23 hours ago
By: @Aaron Avery On February 20, CSDA’s Legislative Committee adopted a Co-Sponsor position on Senate Bill 1005 (Caballero) Local agency: payment: rounding amount . SB 1005 was introduced in response to the decision of the United States Mint to suspend production of pennies as cash currency. According to the Mint, the decision was influenced by the rising cost of producing the penny, which has increased to 3.69 cents per penny. The phase out of pennies is reportedly already leading to shortages of pennies . Local agencies continue to accept and make cash payments for a variety of transactions, leading to concerns about the unavailability of pennies. ...

Public Law Update – Court of Appeal Upholds Order Compelling Public Agency Board Member to Return Confidential Reports

By Morgan Leskody posted yesterday
By Kevin D. Siegel, Partner, Burke, Williams & Sorensen Santa Clara Valley Water District v. Eisenberg concerns confidential reports, prepared by the Water District’s outside counsel, regarding investigations of complaints of alleged misconduct relative to interactions between Board Member Rebecca Eisenberg (who is also a practicing attorney) and Water District staff. Eisenberg was permitted to review the confidential reports, but not to retain them. Nonetheless, she took the reports and refused to return them to the Water District, even after the censure by the very Board on which she serves. The Water District filed suit in Santa Clara County Superior ...

Grants Update: Week of March 2, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted yesterday
New Grant Opportunities National Fish and Wildlife Foundation FY 2026 Five Star Program WHAT DOES IT FUND? This program seeks to develop community capacity to sustain local natural resources for future generations by providing modest financial assistance to local partnerships focused on improving water quality, watersheds and the species and habitats they support. Click here for more information. WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c) organizations, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, tribal governments and organizations, and educational institutions. Based on anticipated funding availability, ...

Firefighter Saves Deer Trapped on Frozen Lake with a Tight Hug

By Kristin Withrow posted 3 days ago
One firefighter lay on the ice and hugged the deer as they were pulled to safety This article was originally published by Shyla Watson for People.com on February 6, 2026 including an adorable video of the rescue. We encourage you to visit the original article to watch! Remember that scene from Bambi where he gets trapped on the ice? For one deer in Washington, that moment went from fiction to fact. On Tuesday, January 27, firefighters rescued a deer on Loon Lake in Stevens County. Local resident Daniel Poleschook told Storyful that he saw the animal struggling to stand on the frozen lake, so he contacted the Stevens County Fire Department ...

The New Northland Public Library (PA)

By Kristin Withrow posted 6 days ago
Now that the extensive renovation is complete, library patrons are unanimous in their approval. This article was originally published by Samantha Schroeppel in The Uproar on January 20, 2026. (Photo: D. Crickets) A year of construction and $4.1 million later, the Northland Public Library has officially reopened its doors. Although initially a project designed to address structural issues within the lower-level entrance, the renovation evolved to completely transform the library’s atmosphere and enhance its service to the local community. “The New Northland continues to serve our mission and to position the library as a third space for the communities ...

Federal Legislative Update: Week of February 23, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 7 days ago
House and Senate Action After a one-week break for the President's Day holiday, both chambers return to work this week. However, a winter storm on the East Coast has disrupted the congressional schedule. Votes are now postponed until Tuesday. The State of the Union address is still scheduled for Tuesday night. House The House will consider a handful of measures on the suspension calendar (requires 2/3 majority), including bipartisan legislation (H.R. 390) that would direct NASA to deploy advanced drone and airspace-management technology to improve coordination between manned and unmanned aircraft and strengthen aerial wildfire response, especially ...

Comment Period Open on Proposed Cal/OSHA “Walkaround Rule”

By Morgan Leskody posted 7 days ago
By: @Aaron Avery The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH), better known as Cal/OSHA, has opened public comment on a proposed rulemaking concerning a “Walkaround Rule.” The proposed regulation would define and specify procedures for who is a representative authorized by employees who shall be given an opportunity to accompany a Cal/OSHA representative during the inspection of any workplace (quite literally “walking around” with the inspector). Under the proposed regulation, the representative(s) authorized by employees may be an employee of the employer, a third party, or the collective bargaining representative, as specified. According ...

As Bill Introduction Deadline Passes, Themes Begin to Emerge for 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 7 days ago
By: @Kyle Packham Friday, February 20, was the last day for lawmakers to introduce bills in the State Legislature this year, with California’s 80 Assembly Members collectively authoring 1,237 Assembly Bills and the 40 State Senators authoring 561 Senate Bills. As CSDA undertakes review of the combined 1,798 newly introduced bills, themes facing special districts are beginning to emerge. The CSDA Legislative Committee held a four-hour marathon meeting on February 20 at the Sacramento Municipal Utility District to discuss legislation introduced in the first six weeks of the year, adopting priority positions on many measures. The committee will next meet ...

Take Action Month: Week Four - We Must, Indeed, All Hang Together, or Most Assuredly we Shall Hang Separately

By Morgan Leskody posted 7 days ago
By: @Kyle Packham Benjamin Franklin famously said, “We must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.” Perhaps the stakes for special districts in Sacramento are not quite the same as the American revolutionaries of the 1700s, but the principle stands the test of time. Most, if not all, special districts have developed a relationship with at least one of their legislators; but while one legislator can author and introduce a bill, it takes at least 41 Assembly Members and 21 State Senators to pass that bill to the Governor’s desk. None of us can do that alone. That’s what CSDA’s Grassroots Mobilization Program is for, ...

Grants Update: Week of February 23, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 8 days ago
Grants Update Department of Agriculture FY 2026 Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Program WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to support shovel-ready projects to install a community wood energy system or build or expand an innovative wood product facility. These projects will directly support forest health and stimulate local economies by expanding renewable wood energy and innovative wood products manufacturing capacity. Click here for more information. WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Eligible applicants are not-for-profit organizations; local, state, and tribal governments; higher education institutions; businesses, companies, corporations ...

CMUA Launches New Ad Campaign: Public Power. Public Water. Public Good.

By Morgan Leskody posted 8 days ago
The California Municipal Utilities Association (CMUA) announced the launch of “Public Power. Public Water. Public Good.” — a new campaign to educate legislators, regulators, journalists, and the general public about the value and public benefits of community-owned, not-for-profit power and water utilities in California. “Publicly owned electric and gas utilities, and water wastewater agencies, offer something better for communities, from lower costs and better service to local control, local accountability, and local benefits,” said Danielle Blacet-Hyden, CMUA’s executive director. “At the same time, these utilities are leaders in advancing California’s goals ...

Utah's first-of-its-kind water reclamation facility transforms toilet water into water plants crave

By Kristin Withrow posted 12 days ago
This article was originally published on January 21, 2026 by Chris Reed at Fox 13 Salt Lake City. LA VERKIN, Utah — A groundbreaking $51 million water reclamation facility is about to transform how southern Utah handles wastewater. The Confluence Park Water Reclamation Facility represents 20 years of planning and construction, and it's the first of its kind in Utah. "As a child, I always wanted to be a marine biologist. But I also wanted to live here. So those two things don't work together very well," said Bradley Johnson, who grew up in Hurricane and La Verkin and now works at the facility. Johnson said he never intends to leave the area because ...

The Great Boss Factor

By Kristin Withrow posted 14 days ago
By Kristin Withrow, Sr. Communications Specialist, CSDA Employee commitment is not a buzzword for Joe Mull - it's his life's work. As an Employee Commitment Expert, author, and sought-after keynote speaker, Mull has spent years studying what draws people to an organization, the factors that convince them to stay, and what inspires them to stay tapped in with their best effort in the long term. As the CSDA General Manager Leadership Summit keynote speaker in 2026 , we are excited to bring his research-back insights, relatable storytelling style and practical tips to conference attendees this year. The Great Boss Factor is keenly relevant for special ...

CA Park District launches 2026 Trails Challenge: Program encourages locals to revisit parks and explore new ones

By Kristin Withrow posted 17 days ago
This article was originally published by Jen Vanya at the Tri-City Voice on January 6, 2026. On Jan. 1, 2026, the East Bay Regional Park District launched the 2026 Trails Challenge—the program’s 33rd annual edition—inviting the public to explore trails that show off the region’s stunning natural beauty. Individuals interested in the program can pick up a free guidebook and T-shirt at any East Bay Regional Parks visitor center, while supplies last. The guidebook can also be downloaded at ebparks.org/trailschallenge . A Spanish edition will be available online and in visitor centers in mid-January. “The East Bay Regional Parks Trails Challenge is ...

Grants Update: Week of February 16, 2026

By Morgan Leskody posted 17 days ago
Department of Agriculture FY 2026 Water and Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grants WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to support the provision of clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and stormwater drainage for households and businesses in eligible rural areas. Funding will help eligible low-income communities plan and develop applications for the funding agency's Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. Click here for more information. WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Eligible applicants are most state and local government entities, nonprofit organizations, and federally ...