AgdaPkt 2002-02-25 - Laserfiche WebLink

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FEDERAL PRIORITIES from page I · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · HOMELAND SECURITY TRANSPORTATION SupDort of flexible block _Grants to local · Support the reauthorization of TEA-21, includ- governments to ira.Drove security and public safety lng improving funding for California's state and locally: Such funding would enable cities, as the local transportation programs. first-responders, to increase emergency response and public safety efforts, improve communications · Support increased flexibility and streamlining systems, effectively prepare against bioterrorism reforms that assist cities in operating and attacks, develop citizen preparedness programs, maintaining the existing transportation net- and meet other critical security needs. In the work, including allowing reciprocity between first two and a half months since September 11, the National Environmental Protection Act California local governments have encountered (NEPA) and the California Environmental budget overruns of 13% in public safety. Cities 0uality Act (CEQA) to alleviate redundant and counties estimate over $1 billion in additional environmental review for transportation one-time and ongoing funding needs in 2002. projects and assure more timely project deliv- ery. In California, such changes are key for AFFORDABLE HOUSING cities as local governments bear responsibility for the operation and maintenance of approxi- · Support increased resources and tools to mately 79 percent of the state's total main- expand the supply of affordable housing, rained road system. including creation of an affordable rental housing production program that provides · Support new funding to enhance the security cities with direct assistance to help produce, and safety of California's transportation and rehabilitate, and preserve affordable housing, infrastructure systems. · Support tax incentives to promote private investment in the production of rental housing TELECOMMUNICATIONS/TECHNOLOGY units, including enactment of new tax benefits Public Safety Spectrum: Ensure adequate that complement the federal Low-Income broadcast spectrum is available to local govern- Housing Tax Credit Program and provide ments for public safety communications. Current additional incentives to invest in multi-family spectrum allocations are insufficient and often rental housing, force local response agencies to operate across different, incompatible radio frequency bands. As The California Department of Housing and a result, agencies responding to emergencies are Community Development in a regent report titled often unable to communicate rapidly with each "~.l~.~'" found that California is suffer- other, creating a significant vulnerability for ing from a significant shortfall of housing produc- cities. This occurred in the aftermath of the tion. California's projected need through 2020 is September 11 attacks and remains a constant 220,000 new housing units annually. California is problem for California public safety agencies. currently producing only around 150,000 units--a 70,O00-unit shortfall. Additionally, a September Public Rights-of-Way Maintenance: Preserve 2000 report by the National Low-Income Housing state and local authority to manage public rights-of- Coalition, ranked California 45th among states in way, zoning, and protect public safety and welfare. rental housing affordability. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 PAGE 4/PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site--www, cacities.org