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FEDERAL FY 2002 EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS APPROVED Focus Shifts to FY 2003 Funds The House and Senate approved and sent to the Additionally, the League has been working to secure President a icY 2002 Emergency Supplemental Appropria- homeland security funding in FY 2003. The Senate Appro- tions bill that includes $151.3 million for First Responder priations Committee recently approved as par~ of the FY Grants for equipment, training, and exercises within the 2003 Commerce-Justice-State Appropriations bill $2 billion Department of Justice's Office of Domestic Preparedness. for the Office of Domestic Preparedness for homeland security enhancements, and $1.5 billion for first responders The final agreement on the bill included League- as part of its FY 2003 VA-HUD Appropriations bill, The supported language secured by California Congressional House has not acted on either of these measures. delegation Chairs David Dreier and Sam Farr, which calls on states in the development and implementation of their plans California Chai~s Dreier and Farr sent a letter to House "to consult with local governments regarding the scope, leadership on behalf of the League and California counties. design and allocation of resources so that State and local They pressed for first responders funding, and urged that strategies are consistent." The bill as originally drafted local governments be able to access first responder funds included no local government consultation on these grants, directly. Cities are urged to con~act their Representa- rives to press for the same message. League staff: Jennifer Lewis, lewis, j@cacities.org. PG&E FRANCHISE TASK FORCE PROGRESS REPORT On July 30, the Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) force to develop a model agreement, and PG&E Entitle- Franchise Task Force sent PG&E a list of questions ment Agents should be sharing this information during regarding PG&£'s request for franchise agreements for their contacts with cities. new entities that would be formed under their pro- posed plan of reorganization in the bankruptcy proceed- The League urges cities to defer action on an), ings. In the cover letter, the task force asked PG&E to franchise applications until the task force has respond by August 16 and requested a meeting with made a final recommendation. The task force will PG&E representatives the first week of September. meet with PG&E representatives in early September to The task force will use these responses and the meet- discuss responses to the list of questions and address lng as a framework for developing a model agreement local government concerns. County officials plan to.join for cities to use in adopting new franchise agreements, the task force's meeting with PG&E, and have agreed to collaborate with the task force to develop a model PG&E has advised the League that PG&E's local agreement. All concerned parties - cities, counties and Entitlement Agents will submit formal franchise PG&E - share an interest in developing a model agree- applications with cities and counties by August 6. This merit that will be mutually beneficial. date was set within a timeline established by PG&E to meet the January 1, 2003 transition date proposed If you would like to view the letter and questions under the PG&E Plan of Reorganization. Bankruptcy that were presented to PG&E, they are available on the Judge Montali will review this proposed deadline and League's websita at: www.cacities.org under the other matters on August 1 and may consider extending energy link on the front page. We will continue to keep the dates. (Two plans of reorganization have been sent you updated on the task force's progress and any new to creditors with a final vote due August 12.) Though developments. If you have any questions or concerns on PG&E has decided it must proceed with its predeter- this issue, please contact League staff Alisa Long mined timeline to comply with the existing January 1, (fon?@cacities.org or 916-658-8266) or Frances Medema 2003 transition date, PG&E representativess express a Imedemaf@cacities.org or 916-658-8218), continued interest in working with the League's task Visit the League's Official Web Site--www,cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS/PAGE 7