Assembly Concurrent Resolution
No. 54
CHAPTER 61
Relative to Cities Week.
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Filed with
Secretary of State
May 18, 2023.
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LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
ACR 54, Pacheco.
Cities Week.
This measure would proclaim the week of April 9, 2023, to April 14, 2023, to be Cities Week, and would encourage all Californians to be involved in their communities and be civically engaged with their local government.
Digest Key
Fiscal Committee:
NO WHEREAS, Cities first arose when eight California municipalities incorporated in 1850, before the territory of California was admitted to the United States of America in September 1850; and
WHEREAS, The first municipality to incorporate was the city of Sacramento in 1850, to provide essential safety and health services to the rapidly growing population of the territory of California; and
WHEREAS, In the 19th and early 20th century, the incorporation and population of cities increased dramatically during the periods of economic prosperity and immigration that followed the Gold Rush and both world wars when the demand for all types of public services increased, and cities met those needs; and
WHEREAS, Cities vary in size and scope and serve diverse communities throughout California, from small rural neighborhoods, to large urban regions; and
WHEREAS, While cities differ in matters of population, geography, and economy, they share essential beliefs and values; and
WHEREAS, Cities are created by the same power, exist by virtue of the same laws, exercise almost identical functions, and are called upon to meet the same demands and pursue the same purposes to serve their residents; and
WHEREAS, the California constitution grants a number of powers to cities, including the authority to promote and regulate public safety, the authority to raise revenue for public purposes, and the power to operate public works to furnish residents with light, water, power, heat, transportation, and communication; and
WHEREAS, Today, 482 cities provide millions of Californians with essential services, including public libraries, fire departments, police departments, emergency medical and disaster response, parks and recreation, childcare, community and human services programs, solid waste and recycling management, water, sewer, utilities, land use planning, housing, economic development, transportation planning, maintenance of streets and roads, telecommunications, and more; and
WHEREAS, More than eighty percent of California’s population resides within municipalities and receive city services; and
WHEREAS, Cities remain transparent and accountable to the communities they serve, and have earned the trust placed in them by local residents; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby proclaims the week of April 9, 2023, to April 14, 2023, inclusive, to be Cities Week and encourages all Californians to be involved in their communities and to be civically engaged with their local government, and be it further;
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.