The California Association of Councils of Government (CALCOG) works to ensure the success of its members by facilitating communication and information sharing between our members, other local officials, state and federal agencies, and the public. Most members are formed as councils of governments (COGs), meaning they represent joint powers agreements of cities and counties, while others are transp
ortation commissions created by statute. All members are governed by locally elected officials chosen by their peers. COGs engage in regional planning and program implementation on a wide variety of issues, including transportation, housing, the economy, energy, and the environment. As such, they are uniquely positioned to build consensus across political boundaries and create important efficiencies for local governments. The interests and character of our 36 individual members vary widely. They range from the Lake County/City Area Planning Council (population 64,000) to the Southern California Association of Governments (population 18 million). Some are transportation providers, Orange County Transportation Authority, and others are COGs that take on any issue that the local agencies agree can best be addressed regionally, Association of Bay Area Governments. Some members benefit from self help revenue, when a county has passed a sales tax measure to support transportation, and 18 of our members are federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) responsible for developing regional transportation plans under federal law and sustainable communities strategies under state law. This "small number, diverse interest” character of our membership creates a unique forum that CALCOG members value. We may not always agree, but CALCOG provides a safe place to have important policy discussions.
