AgdaPkt 2002-10-28 - Laserfiche WebLink

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"KEEPING THE DOLORS LOCAL" DRAWS ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE One of the many well-received sessions at the League's Annual Conference last week was a panel presentation by Oakland City Attorney and League First Vice President (and now President) John Russo; League Executive Director Chris McKenzie; and Action for Better Cities (ABC) Executive Director Michael Madrid. The rousing panel discussion traced the loss of cities' control over local revenues that has occurred in California over the past 25 years, and the steps the League is taking to strengthen cities' relationship with the state, A copy of the presentation is available on the League's Web site, under Priority Issues - Fiscal Reform. AN EDITORIAL: ENSURING HOMETOWN SECURITY- A MISSED OPPORTUNITY (Reprinted with permission f'rom National League of' Cities' NATION'S CI TIES WEEKL Y) On the evening of September 11, 2001, when the nation was in shock from a series of terrorist attacks, members of Congress joined together on the steps of the Capitol and sang God Ble~ America. It was described as an unprecedented display of bipartisan grief and resolve. What a difference a year makes. Thirteen months later, the national wound is healing, but the image of commercial jets deliberately flying into buildings full of innocent people is forever etched onto the American psyche. Thirteen months later, Americans realize that safety'is not a certainty and have adapted to new security measures in airports and public buildings and a new awareness of potential threats that were unthinkable before September 11, 2001, Thirteen months later, America's cities and towns have spent billions of local dollars to develop new homeland security preparedness plans, create new regional partnerships, carry out joint emergency drills, provide security in the nation's airports, and restore confidence in the safety and security of hometown America. And, thirteen months later, the 107~ Congress is prepared to recess this week withopt passing homeland security legislation that would, among other things, authorize federal funds to support the work of first responders in America's cities and towns. The bipartisan spirit of September 13, 2001, is a distant memory. Instead partisanship has ruled in the halls of Congress and between the White House and Capitol Hill. What a missed opportunity. Reports out of the Capitol and the White House describe a four-week "standoff," a Senate filibuster, partisan gridlock, and a potential Presidential veto. One Republican senator said the homeland security bill is "on life support." A Democratic Senator said America's homeland security apparatus is "disorganized and disorganization is dangerous." Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) has promised to "come back and come back and come back" to homeland security even if it means convening a lame-duck session after the November elections. But America's cities and towns are not likely to see any action on a homeland security bill before Congress recesses this week or any significant federal funding in the near future. What a disappointment. It would be unfair to minimize the huge challenge Congress and the President have faced in trying to implement the largest governmental reorganization since the Department of Defense was created after World War II, But everyone promised to get the job done. PAGE 6/PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site--www.cacities.org