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BURTON COMMISSION from page I ..................................... There is little detail about the commission, As described While the work of past commissions has not been by Senator Burton, it will include state and local govern- incorporated in any legislative reform measures, Button's ment representatives along with representatives from the announcement should be taken seriously, It has the support business and labor communities. Other groups will likely be of arguably the strongest of legisJative leadership. Further, it interested in participating, tt is intended to be a bipartisan comes at a time when the state is struggling with a revenue effort; Senator Burton mentioned at different points in the base that wildly fluctuates from one fiscal year to the next press conference that he had discussed this idea with - and when the state general fund is in trouble, local Senator Brulte who heads the Senate Republican caucus. It government services are in trouble. This situation may appears that S~nator Brulte is supportive of the idea. provide an incentive for the state to take fiscal reform Senator Burton referenced the work of previous commis- efforts more seriously than in the past, sions on this subject and suggested that some of the work of those commissions should be reviewed by and possibly We will keep you posted as more details about the incorporated into the efforts of this new commission, commission become available. Senator Burton also reported that he thought it would require a year to 18 months to "do the job right." It is not entirely clear, but it appears as though this commission may be a Senate initiative only. LEAGUE'S LATINO CAUCUS HOSTS LOS ANGELES RECETrlON CONGRESS CONSIDERS NEXUS In an ongoing effort to bring together Southern STANDARD CHANGES FOR BUSINESS california area local elected Latino officials, the League ACTIVITY TAXES or California Cities-Latino Caucus is hosting a reception on Friday, August 9, 2002 from 5:30-7:30 pm at the The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and new home of Univision and KMEX-TV, Channel 34, in Administrative Law approved the "Business Activity Tax the Atrium Lobby, where a special celebrity guest is Modernization Act", H,R. 2526. The bill. before it was' expected to join us for this event. Univision is located amended in Subcommittee, would have made permanent the at 5999 Center Drive, Los Angeles. moratorium on taxation on Internet access. While an amendment by Congressman Barr (R-GA) struck this The Latino Caucus invites Latino and other city provision, it put in place new federal limits on state nexus officials to mingle with colleagues, discuss matters of standards for collection of business activity taxes. The bill mutual concern and share key information in critical now states that, "No state or subdivision thereof shall have areas of interest to your community. The Caucus plans the power to impose, for any taxable year ending after the an evening of fabulous food, wine and lively converse- date of this title, a business activity tax on any person tion, while providing city officials an opportunity to relating to such person's activities that affect interstate connect with their Southern California counterparts. commerce, unless such person has a substantial physical presence in such state or subdivision." The Barr provisions The League of California Cities-Latino Caucus is an would drastically reduce local revenues for critical municipal organization comprised of over 400 locally elected services, on which local business and citizens depend, mayors and council members statewide. The Latino · Caucus strives to educate and inform local elected Cities are urged to contact California Judiciary Commit- officials on issues unique to Latino communities in tee Members Darrell Issa, Zoe Lofgren. Howard Berman, California through workshops, forums and special Elton Gallegly, Maxine Waters, and Adam Schiff to seek events held around the State each year. their opposition to the legislation, League staff: Jennifer Lewis, lewisj@cacities.org. To RSVP or for additionar information, contact Latino Caucus Executive Director John E. Arriaga at (916) 669-1343. Visit the League's Official Web Site--www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS/PAGE 3