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�/'�`� FUEL CELL WORKSHOP TO BE LAO from page 1 ................. HELD IN DECEMBER Of special note to cities the LAO highlighted City o�cials interested in hydrogen fuel cell early repayment of the VLF gap loan debt owed to technology and hydrogen-powered fuel cell ve- cities and counties as a factor in reducing the hicles (council members and city managers, fire state's long-term deficit, citing it as one reason for chiefs and fire prevention/operations officials, the state's improving fiscal situation. environmental personnel and others) are encour- aged to attend a December 7 workshop on this The projections shawed an overall improvement topic in Torrance, Calif. The workshop will be in the state budget, with the current year ending with sponsored by the Los Angeles Area Fire Marshals a reserve of $5.2 billion — up approximately $4 billion Association (LAAFMA) and the California Fuel Cell from prior estimates. Revenues since July have Partnership (CaFCP). gone up sharply, while expenditures have de- creased at a modest rate. Experts will discuss a variety of topics related to fuel cell technology, including fueling stations, Revenue increases were due to higher-than- hydrogen myths, safety issues, vehicle design, and anticipated personal income tax retums, signifi- much more. The workshop also includes a test cantly high corporate tax, and somewhat higher drive or ride in prototype hydrogen fuel cell vehicles sales and use tax receipts. The report cited mod- by a variety of automakers. est reductions in expenditures (about $80 million) as an additional factor helping to improve the 2005- The day-long workshop symposium is offered 06 budget picture. The largest changes consist of free of charge, and will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 lower spending for Proposition 98 education partly p.m. at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center in the offset by increases in state retirement costs (sterr� Toyota Meeting Hall, located on 330 Torrance Blvd. ming from an assumed one-year delay in the sale of pension obligation bonds). Business and industry personnel, along with interested public officials, are all encouraged to LAO also stated that the budget reserve should attend. be sufficient to keep the 20Q6-07 budget balanced, without the need for significant program reductions To register, please visit the LAAFMA website at or additional revenues. www.laareafiremarshals.ora. To register by phone, call (310) 781-7637 and follow the prompts for Despite the state's improved economic outlook, registration. however, LAO cautioned that multi-billion dollar operating deficits would be present through fiscal year 2010-11. Although those deficits are projected to decrease over time, the report encouraged the Legislature to take further steps to minimize opera- tion costs and to continue building the budgetary reserve. In addition to the budget overview, the LAO report delivered projections on state economics, . . demographics, revenues, and expenditures. The Our Mission state Department of Finance will come out with its own revenue estimates next month in preparation Restore and protect local control f or cities for the presentation of the administration's budget through education and advocacy to package which is due by January 10 2006. enhance the quality of life for all Californians. For a copy of the full LAO report, please visit the LAO website at www.lao.ca.gov. Visit the League's O�cial Website--www.cacities.org PRIORIN FOCUS - PAGE 3 November 18, 2005 - Issue #45