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10A Page 4 1'"6.�r"� �i��2"°IP' �F Si'��€ x.Fd�d�� ,y, fll� 4 ,!� 6b als � "a> f> in s 9! �A� �M 6 � �r G+ � :. (a w +; 6` ra c. q^#+ b /9 x: c: � k!� fA �9k !t 'tn �4� .,+ F a;? iA 4.'k ,�:. d P5 A common complaint among ioca!officials is that Committee,the real work to have it appear on Gov. the revenue derived from housing often fails to match Schwarzenegger's desk is just beginning. Cities are local service costs. One area where this situation is encouraged to send letters supporting this bill. To particulariy acute is when local governments approve look up mare information on the measure and affordable units operated by nonprofits. These units access a sampie letter, visit www.caci�ies.ora/ typically pay no pr�perty taxes, because the state bilEsearch. grants a"welfare exemption"for these units pursuant � � � � � � � <, � ��; g; � ��, � r � � t� � � � � � � fo subdivision (�}or(g}of Section 214 Revenue and ,� ..�,� .,� � ,� Taxation Code. �`� `�� r��`� '�� " Voting by mail has increased steadily in Califor- Sponsored by the League of Cafifornia Cifies,A8 nia for rrore thar �� years. Providing a proper 1254 provides a solution. The bill would reward addition to the institu#ionalized "Ballot Casting at "good actor" communities by offsetting what they the Poils" for general law cities is a way to increase lose on property tax on any new affordable units vo#er turnout and to cut costs of elections for cities approved aft�r Jan�ary 1,2008. and counties. While the property tax exemption provided to This is one of the major reasons that foca� nonprofit operators af affordable housing develop- 9overnment entities such as the League, the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), ments promotes affordable housing policy by assist- the CaEifornia Association of County Election ing in maintaining units at affordable rents,local Ofificers (CACEO) and the City Clerks Association governments are left wifh no property tax revenue fa o#California (CCAC) all support AB 1654. provide police,fire, park,recreation, library and other senrices to residents of these units. The League has met with labor, community based organizations, civil rights groups and mem- For local governments, this loss of revenue can bers on bath sides of the aisle to gather input and operate as a disincenfiive to approve a#fordable units. continue to educate on how cities are losing money But even when these units are approved, it can on the current bailot system. The larger the voting produce undesirable effects: agencies are faced paol, the more diverse the opinion. Does it really with reducing community services, transferring matter if a vote comes from the voting booth or via revenues from o#her public priori#ies, or chasing retail mail? tax dallars. States such as �regon have benefited from all- AB 1254 reduces the required local transfers of mail ballots. Oregon's voter turnou# in 2002 was properky tax for(ERAF}education purposes by an the fifth-highest in the nafion and by 2004 they identical amount. This would aliow these communi- were the fourth-highest—a savings of 30 percent ties to retain more pr�per±y tax at the loca!leve!to �n election related costs. A8 1654 is gaod public provide services to the residents of affordabie po�icy that is in need of lacaf government support. housing. Letters of support for AB 1654 can be sent to This measure is patterned after SB 1509 (Dunn) Assemblyman Huffman at: of 2001,which received significant bipartisan sup- The Honorable Jared Huffman port, but was vetoed by Gov. Gray Davis. A sunset State Capito( Building, Raom 4139 date is also included in AB 1254 so that the State Sacramento, CA 95814 Legisla±ure may properly eval�:ate#he e�fectiveness Rc: Support AB 1654 (i-iuffman) of this kaw in rewarding communities approving af#ordable units. Please remember to copy League Legislative Represen#ative P. Anthony Thomas and your focal While AB 1254 has taken one step forward by assembly member on the letter. Thomas can be passing#hrough theAssembly Local Government reached at athomas@cacities.org. PAGE 4- RRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Officia! Website•-www.cacities.org Aprii 13, 2007 - issue#14