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In over 100 meetings with legislators over a is to be meaningful, we must view an offense to two day period, and at a press conference on one party as an offense to all," Thursday, LOCAL coalition members stressed the theme that budget decisions made in Sacramento These statements were echoed by Calavaras really matter to people in communities across the County Supervisor Paul Stein, Second Vice Presi- state. (For comments from participants, see page dent of the California State Association of Coun- 3.) ties (CSAC), and Dr. Chuck Beesly, President of the California Special Districts Association (CSDA). "This was a very successful lobbying effort, and we know we made an impact", said Mayor State Deputy Director of Finance Betty Yee O'Neill. "1 want to personally thank the hundreds also addressed the packed room, explaining that of city officials and our coalition partners who set the May Revise proposal is an attempt to provide aside their other obligations for two days and a balanced approach of both cuts and revenue made the trip to Sacramento to help with this increases to fill a revenue shortfall that amounts effort. Their dedication and determination was to almost 30% of what had been pro~ected Gen- inspiring. It's this kind of commitment, coopera- eral Fund revenues. Encouragingly, Yee said that tion and unity that will make a difference in the Administration does not consider the budget decisions that get made in the Capitol over the process to be completed, and that they welcome coming weeks." dialogue and suggestions. Speakers Emphasize "Real Impacts on Thursday's press conference drew about 250 Real People" coalition representatives, wearing "LOCAL Services Protection Team" badges and holding yellow signs At a kick-off assembly on Wednesday, coalition telling legislators, "Your Services - Your Constitu- members heard from a series of speakers, begin- ents - Your Decision". Long Beach Mayor and ning with League First Vice President and Oakland League President Beverly O'Neill kicked off the City Attorney John Russo. "We're here because of event, thanking public officials and the broad what unites us", said Russo, "It's not about VLF array of representatives from public safety, busi- (Vehicle License Fees), ERAF (Education Reform ness, labor, health and seniors groups for their Augmentation Fund - the property tax shift) or dedication in making the trip to Sacramento to state bureaucracies. It's about the people who ensure that the LOCAL message was heard, O'Neill elected us. If we have no control over our bud- thanked the Governor for keeping his word that he gets, we have no control over policy, and we can't would preserve Vehicle License Fee (VLF) revenues be responsive to the people who elected us." for local government, but O'Neill also said that the LOCAL coalition opposes those measures in the Referring to the deep cu- 'n county fundin£: budget that would shift state costs to cities, compared to the lesser cuts t;~at wou~d directly counties and special districts, and ultimately impact cities, Russo stressed the importance of reduce the revenues available to fund police and everyone working to oppose proposals that would fire, hospital and trauma care, parks and libraries. impact any level of local services. "If a coalition Continued on Page 3 Our Mission [ t?estore and protect local control for cities through education and advocacy to enhance the quality of life for all Californians. PAGE 2/PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site--www. cacities.org