AgdaPkt 2007-02-05 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

FEDERAL UPDATE: HOUSE DEMOCRATS COMPLETE "100-HOUR" LEGISLATIVE AGENDA 9A Page 8 House Democrats completed the last bill of their first "1 DO-Hour" legislative agenda on January 18. The House finished work on the seven- measure campaign in about 42 hours of floor time. Of all of the bills passed by the House during the "100-Hour" campaign, H.R. 1, which embodies elements of the 9/11 Commissions recommenda- tions, would likely impose the greatest impact on California cities if it were signed into law. Other topics included legislation to reform the lobbying and earmark process, increase the federal mini- mum wage, expand stem cell research, permit the federal government to negotiate lower prescription drug costs, cut interest rates on student loans, and invest in renewable energy. The bill includes provisions which would allocate homeland security grant funding based on risk of terrorist attack, and reduce the small state minimum (SSM) guarantee from the current 0.75 percent of total funding to 0.25 percent, except for a guarantee of 0.45 percent for any border state. This change would increase California's percent- age share of total funding. While potentially good news for California cities, H.R. 1 must still receive Senate consider- ation. It will be difficult to secure sufficient support for reducing the SSM due to strong opposition from senators representing small population states, which greatly outnumber big population states such as California, Texas, New York, and Florida. H.R. 1 also would establish a new interoperable communications grant program where monies, as necessary, would be authorized in the first fiscal year after the completion of a national emergency communications plan. The Department of Homeland Security also first must determine that substantial progress has been made toward development and circulation of emergency communications equipment and technology standards. So far, the Senate hasn't been as productive as the House, passing only lobbying and earmark reform legislation, and is currently debating a federal minimum wage increase/tax package. Many of the other bills of the House "1 OO-Hour" campaign must still navigate the more slowly operating and narrowly divided Senate. Following that activity, both houses will briefly return to other legislative work and prepare to accept and respond to the president's FY 2008 budget proposal. The president will offer the budget for the coming fiscal year on February 5. ....................... PUBLIC WORKS OFFICERS INSTITUTE SET FOR MARCH The Public Works Officers Institute, co- sponsored by the League of California Cities and the County Engineers Association of California, is set for March 14-16 at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Monterey. This year the program will feature an update on the future of transportation in California, tele- communications changes, a CalPERS update, and much more! Hotel rooms are almost sold out, so be sure to register soon. The conference and hotel registration deadline is Wednesday, February 21. To register, visit www.cacities.ora/events. Those registering online will receive a $20 CityBooks coupon. Questions about this event should be directed to Paul Flint at (916) 658-8238 or via e-mail at f1int@cacities.org. PAGE 2 . PRIORITY FOCUS January 26, 2007 . Issue #4 Visit the League's Official Website..www.cacities.org