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Administration Announces “Workload Budget” On March 24, the California Department of Finance (DOF) notified all state agencies, departments, and the state Legislature that they would be moving forward with developing a “workload budget,” which essentially uses the prior year Budget as a baseline with no additional funding changes. DOF further warned that no additional budget [...]

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act: H.R. 748 Last week the third stimulus package, CARES Act (H.R. 748) was signed into law by President Trump in response to the COVID-19 crisis. It commits to $2 trillion in assistance to support hundreds of economic and health-related needs and focuses on the general public, small and [...]

Biosolids Haulers COVID Update Questions have surfaced during the COVID-19 crisis about whether biosolids haulers are considered essential public service providers and should continue to work during the crisis. Please find a comprehensive letter from Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County (LACSD) articulating that such workers are in fact essential. The letter also provides excellent [...]

CWEA Today, Wednesday, April 1, from 11:00am to 12:30pm the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) in partnership with CASA and the Water Environment Federation (WEF) will host a webinar: Overview of the Coronavirus, Transmission and Operations Planning. CASA's Greg Kester will be on the panel of experts who will help us gain an understanding of [...]

Distinguished Budget Award Congratulations and a job well done to Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) who received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association for the 14th consecutive year! What a spectacular accomplishment.   Members Contribute to CASA COVID Webpage During these trying times, we are proud of our agencies for [...]

COVID-19 and the Wastewater Community In an effort to help the wastewater community understand and manage the implications associated with COVID-19, the California Water Environment Association(CWEA) has created a highlight on its E-Bulletin webpage to address Coronavirus Safety for Wastewater Professionals with special coverage updates. The page includes resources from the Centers for Disease Control [...]

Legislature Passes Emergency Spending Bill, Adjourns Until April 13 On Monday, March 16, 2020, the Senate and Assembly convened and passed a major emergency spending authorization to provide resources for the Governor to respond to the Coronavirus Pandemic. The authorization of up to $1.1 billion was passed unanimously with bipartisan support and will allow the [...]

A Push for Infrastructure Funding Members of the House Bipartisan Working Group have drafted a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), urging the House to adopt a federal infrastructure package that “streamlines regulations and authorizes new investments directly to affected communities.”  The letter, which has yet [...]

Connect Beyond CASA Connects: Join CASA’s LISTSERVs! Is there a topic of interest particularly near and dear to your heart? Maybe biosolids? Collection systems? Legislative advocacy? Along with this newsletter, CASA offers several other ways to connect and share on these topics and more. With a number of LISTSERVs available to our members for updates [...]

2020 Washington D.C. Policy Forum Recap Thank you to all who joined us last week in the nation’s capital to hear from distinguished speakers and participate in Capitol Hill visits with our California Representatives and their staff! During the 17th annual Policy Forum in Washington D.C., we heard from congressional staff, political insiders and other [...]