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<br />8A <br />ASSEMBLY from page 3 . . . . . . . . . . . .. GAO from page 1 ................ .P.age 20 <br /> <br />· Higher Education - Assemblymember <br />Anthony Portantino <br />· Housing and Community Development <br />- Assemblymember Lori Saldana <br />· Human Services - Assemblymember Jim <br />Beall <br />Insurance - Assemblymember Joe Coto <br />· Jobs, Economic Development and the <br />Economy - Assemblymember Juan <br />Arambula <br />· Judiciary - Assemblymember Dave <br />Jones <br />· Labor and Employment- <br />Assemblymember Sandre Swanson <br />· Local Government - Assemblymember <br />Anna Caballero <br />· Natural Resources - Assemblymember <br />LoniHancock <br />· Public Employees, Retirement and <br />Social Security - Assemblymember Ed <br />Hernandez <br />· Public Safety - Assemblymember Jose <br />Solorio <br />· Revenue and Taxation - <br />Assemblymember Chuck Calderon <br />· Rules - Assemblymember Hector De La <br />TOlTe <br />· Transportation - Assemblymember <br />Pedro Nava <br />· utilities and Commerce - <br />Assemblymember Lloyd Levine <br />Veterans Affairs - Assemblymember Mary <br />Salas <br />· Water, Parks and Wildlife - <br />Assemblymember Lois Walk <br /> <br />GAO concluded that there is insufficient <br />national and state data to make any assessments <br />on the use of eminent domain and its impact on <br />individuals and communities. In their conclusion, <br />the analysts note that compensation and public <br />hearings are two areas of concern that might <br />warrant further attention. <br /> <br />GAO interviewed numerous national organiza- <br />tions and property rights groups as well as indi- <br />viduals and city and state organizations and <br />agencies. Their research included reviewing <br />blight definitions in California and 9 other states <br />and interviewing officials at 10 state departments <br />of transportation regarding their land acquisition <br />processes. GAO conducted site visits in five <br />cities: Los Angeles; Chicago. Ill.; New York City, <br />NY.; Baltimore. Md.; and Denver, Colo. <br /> <br />Throughout the report, GAD presents the <br />differing perspectives and experiences on this <br />issue. However. they did find agreement on a few <br />points: "Regardless of their stance in the debate <br />on eminent domain, government officials and <br />property rights groups we interviewed identified a <br />few concerns related to the procedures on invok- <br />ing eminent domain, including the adequacy of <br />compensation amounts and the timeliness of <br />notification about public hearings." For example, <br />several government officials shared a concern <br />that the cap on "business re-establishment <br />assistance" is too low. <br /> <br />It is not clear what more will be done with the <br />report, Federal eminent domain legislation ap- <br />pears to be dead for the remainder of the current <br />Congress. The new Congress will convene on <br />January 3. <br /> <br />To view the report, visit www.gao.gov. and <br />click on "Reports and Testimony. n ' <br /> <br />PAGE 4 . PRIORITY FOCUS <br />December 8, 2006 - Issue #47 <br /> <br />Visit the League's OffIcial Webslte-www.caclties.org <br />