AgdaPkt 2005-06-13 - Laserfiche WebLink

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J¡f-4 BUDGET from page 1 ............. The CDnference CDmmittee will review budget items that were handled by the budget subCDmmittees of the two houses that resulted in differing reCDmmendations. Among these is Govemor Schwarzenegger's proposal to fund earty repayment of a one-half of the Vehide License Fee gap loan that the state borrowed from cities and counties in 2003 - a loan which the state promised to repay in August, 2006. The Senate budget subCDmmittee CDnsidering this item supported the earty repayment pro- posal. The Assembly subcommittee did not take any action - resulting in this proposal going to conference.. Prop 42 Support Remains Critical See acCDmpanying artide on Prop 42 money in budget deliberations. Assembly Appropriations Committee Update The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on Wednesday, May 25. Chairwoman Judy Chu opened the meeting by CDmmenting on how they were faced with requests for $5.5 billion in additional spending in bills before the CDmmittee. They succeeded in moving 65 percent of the bills forward, many with amendments, but the total impact to the state was reduced to $180 million. Now these bills go to the floor of the Assembly for consideration. This potential new spending will only increase pressure on the proposed budget items - the money to fund them will have to be identified if they ultimately succeed. For an update on the status of bills that the League is monitoring, go to www.cacities.org/ billsearch. PROTECT CITY TRANSPORTATION FUNDING IN THE BUDGET VVhile it appears that there has been little move- ment on the state budget this week (see -Budget Conference Committee May Meet Next Week-), ifs still very important to urge your legislators to sup- port Gov. Schwarzenegger's proposals to fully fund Proposition 42 (transportation) and provide earty repayment of half of the Vehide License Fees (VLF) gap loan that the state borrowed from cities in and CDunties in 2003. As noted in our budget story, both the Senate and the Assembly budget subCDmmittees voted to support the Prop 42 item. However, only the Sen- ate subcommittee supported earty repayment of the VLF gap loan; the Assembly took no action - throw- ing that item onto the agenda of the bicameral budget conference CDmmittee. In addition, on May 26, The Road Information Program (TRIP) report was released, .ranking five Califomia metropolitan areas in the worst 10 road- ways nationwide. San Jose (2), Los Angeles (4), San FrancisCD-Oakland (5), San Diego (6), and Sacramento (9), were named a5 having some of the rollghest rides in the CDuntry. The TRIP report confirms how important it is for the Legislature to approve Gov. Schwarzenegger's propos81 to fully fund Prop 42. Cities and CDunties have los~ $38? million over two years for local street and road maintenance programs, and these local streets and roads urgently need repairs. Many city officials may have increased opportu- nities to talk to their legislators over this Memorial Day Weekend. You may also be talking to your local media. Be sure to deliver these messages on the budget: Restoring Prop 42 WIll Help Us Rebuild Our Local Streeis and Roads and Our Economy. . Restoring Prop42 funds will go a long way in allowing cities, counties and special districts to repair and expand our local s1reets, roads and Continued on Page 5 PAGE 4/PRIORITYFOCUS Visit the league's Official Website--www.cacities.org