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LONG BEACH MAYOR WINS UNUSUAL RUN-OFF ELECTION Long Beach Mayor Beverly O'Neill defied political O'Neill's strong appeal to the voters, even with the wisdom this week by winning re-election to a third term handicap of a wdte-in candidacy, has drawn nationwide as a write-in candidate not once, but twice -- in both press attention. News reports cite her 8-year perfor- the March general election and the June run-off, mance as mayor in helping Long Beach achieve economic recovery as a major reason for her strong The write-in requirement was triggered by Long support among voters. Beach's term limit law, which limits a mayor to two terms but permits a termed-out incumbent to run again O'Neill has been active in outreach and coordina- as a write-in candidate. O'Neill's write-in candidacy tion with other city, county and federal leaders during earned her the most votes in the March election, buther tenure as mayor. She also currently serves as fell short of a majority. The wdte-in requirements also President of the League of California Cities. applied to her participation in the June 4 run-off. LEAGUE FILES PETITION WITH RU.C. TO B.O.E. SETS SEPTEMBER VOTE ON MODIFY RULE 20A/20B SOF'rlNARE SALES TAX LIMITS Early this week, the League filed a formal Petition Last week's Priority Focus incorrectly stated that for Modification with the Public Utilities Commission the State Board of Equalization (BOE) had voted to (PUC) regarding Energy Resolution E-3757, adopted limit the amount of optional software maintenance by the Commission in Uamh 2002. The Resolution agreements subject to sales tax. In fact, the vote was concerns funding of Rule 20B underground projects, not by the full board, but rather by the board's Busi- relating to undergrounding projects on private property, ness Taxes Committee. As written, however, Resolution E-3757 has been interpreted to require utilities to charge their Rule 20A The full BOE board will vote on the proposed budgets to fund a portion of Rule 20B undergroundingamendments to Regulation 1502, Computers, Programs projects. If left to stan~ this interpretatior :ould r:ave and Data Processing, on September 11 at 1:30 pm, in significant impacts on Rule 20A budgets and the ability BOE's Sacramento headquarters. According to the of cities to determine when and where undergroundingBOE staff estimates, these amendments could cost on public streets will occur, local governments $8 million each year in lost sales tax revenues. Some cities believe that this estimate is The League filed the Petition for Modification to conservative, and the numbers could grow. If ap- request clarification that Rule 20A funds are not put at proved by the BOE board in September, these risk in order to fund Rule 20B projects. Southern changes would go into effect on January 1, 2003. California Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric Com- party, and Los Angeles County joined the League in For full details on the proposed amendments go to supporting the petition. A copy of the petition is www.boe.ca.qov. Interested parties can submit available on the energy section of the League's Web comments on this issue through August 19~. Corn- site. ments should be sent to each BOE member, as wetl as the staff persons assigned to this issue (Leila Khabbaz at Leila.khabbaz~,boe.ca.qov). Information on how to contact the BOE members can be found through their website at as well. For further questions, contact Jean Kodnke, (9160) 658-8245, ikorin ke~cacities.orq. PAGE 4/PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site--www.cacities.org