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PROP 1 B from page 5... . . . . . . . . . . . . $750 million for the Highway Safety, Reha- bilitation and Preservation Account (SHOPP) for safety, rehabilitation and preservation projects on state highway systems. These funds will be allocated by the CTC based on current statute for state highway operation and protection programs in Section 14526.5 of the Streets and Highways Code. $250 million of the funds in this account must be used for traffic light synchronization projects or other technology-based projects to improve safety, operations and the effective capacity of local streets and roads. . $250 million for the Highway-Railroad Crossing Safety Account for completion of high- priority grade separation and railroad crossing safety improvements. These monies will be allocated to Caltrans for completion of high-priority grade separation improvements pursuant to Chapter 10 (section 2450) of the Streets and Highways Code. Funds in this account require a 1-to-1 match of non-state funds. $100 million in this account will be allocated by the CTC, in consultation with the Public Utilities Commission, outside of the current process in statute, but should focus on crossings in ozone non-attainment areas and crossings that delay access to emergency services. IRS TO STOP COLLECTING TELEPHONE TAX, REFUND $13 BILLION On Thursday, May 25, 2006, U.S. Treasury Secretary announced that, beginning July 31, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will stop collecting the 3 percent federal excise tax (FET) on long-distance telephone calls, and the agency will refund to busi- nesses and individual taxpayers all such taxes collected over the past three years. Treasury esti- mates that taxpayers will receive refunds totaling about $13 billion. The League's Utility Users Tax (UUT) Technical Task Force, a subcommittee of the League's Rev- enue and Taxation Policy Committee, has been evaluating this issue for the last year, and its potential impact on local collection of utility user taxes on long distance telephone calls. The task force will make a recommendation to the Revenue and Taxation Policy Committee as to how the League should respond. The League recommends that cities with UUTs consult with their city attorneys first before deciding to make any changes in response to this ruling to the way UUTs are collected on long distance telephone calls. The FET on local telephone service remains in place unless Congress acts to repeal it. The Bush administration will support legislation sponsored in the House by Representative Gary Miller, (CA-R) and in the Senate by Senator Rick Santorum, (PA-R) to do repeal the tax. The League will continue to monitor this issue as legislation moves through Congress. ............................................................... . . : THE 2006 CITY HALL DIRECTORY IS NOW AVAILABLE! : . . : Don't miss this opportunity to get the League's most useful reference tool. This : . comprehensive California directory provides important contact information for mayors, council. . . . members and city department heads. The directory also features the League's staff directory, . : League partners, affiliate organizations and a wide variety of advertisers. : . . . . . INFORMATION mu NEED, RIGHT AT YOUR FINGERTIPS! . . . . . : Purchase this publication online at www.cacities.org/store or call (916) 658-8257 for an order: . form. City officials price $30, non-city officials price $65, plus shipping & handling. . . . ............................................................... Visit the League's Official Website..www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS. PAGE 7 May 26, 2006 . Issue #21 -"'-"'-""-----"---""---""""----- -- ---",-""--"",---,-",_u",,,