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�� - IZ LEGISLATIVEWRAP UP from page 1 • • • • • •• . . .. . . . .......... . .... . . . .. . . As one looks at the final days of the legislative Tempore John Burton is leaving the Legislature session, it looks anything but historic. The Legisla- after the November elections as a result of being ture is slowly plowing through a long list of inea- "termed out". The struggle of three members to sures of concern primarily to their sponsors, trying succeed him has been widely reported for to clear their agenda and end the 2004 session. several weeks. While Senator Sheila Kuehl Republican members are particularly anxious to (Santa Monica) was officially in the running, the leave town early enough to catch the Republican true contest was really between Senator pon National Convention in New York. As this piece is Perata (Oakland) and Senator Martha Escutia being written, the Legislature is shooting to con- (Whittier). Senator Perata emerged as the clude its 2004 agenda this evening or late tomorrow winner on the third caucus vote, winning 13-11. morning. However, the official deadline for sine die Since Perata will be termed out in 2008, there is is August 315 Only time will tell when they actually some expectation that he could be the Pro leave town. Tempore for the full 4 years, perhaps maintaining the relative stability that the Senate has enjoyed, Among the last minute legislative proposals are compared to that of the Assembly, where mem- two pieces of budget cleanup legislation that deal bers are limited to three two-year terms. with the local government finance package passed in late July. The vehicles for this cleanup are AB Next Step: The Governor's Desk. The 2115 and SB 1115. Both measures appear to be Governor has until the end of September to either heading for the Governor's desk and will likely be sign or veto the legislation that comes to his desk signed. in the 2004 session. At the end of September, the League will go to work on the annual summary of One major component of the local government legislation that is published each year affecting finance package that will not be resolved this city government. The League will also schedule session is the passage of the implementation legislative briefings in November for city officials legislation needed for a reformed state mandate to attend and review the legislation passed in the process. This issue will carry over to next session. 2004 session. One important bill that is also going to the All in all, it has been a good year for cities. IYs Governor's desk, unfortunately, isA6 2702 on to November. We have to win Proposition 1A (Steinberg). (See "Legislature Passes Second Unit in November or it's back to the state taking local Housing Bill".) This measure preempts local gov- government revenues to close state budget ernment decision-making when it comes to the gaps. This certainly would not be good for local approval of "second housing units" on existing government and it would not even be good for the housing sites. The Legislature chose to become a state. The first step to reform of the state system super city council and make these decisions in the of finance is the protection of local government State Capitol rather than at the city level. Please revenues and services. Vote YES for Proposition contact the governor's office on this legisla- 1A! tion and ask for a veto. You can access a sample letter on the League's online Advocacy Center at www.cacities.org/advocacycenter. You can also access and send a letter to the editor of your local newspaper, television or radio station about the measure. FOR LEGISLATORS' PHONE NUMBERS, ADDRESSES AND E-MAIL PLEASE SEE THE Senate Elects New Leader. One of the most LEqGUE'S WEBSITE �WWW.CACITIES.ORG/ closely watched events of the week was the elec- tion by the Senate Democratic caucus of a new ADVOCACYCENTER). Senate leader. Current Senate President Pro PAGE 6/PRIORITY FOCUS www.cacities.org