AgdaPkt 2008-02-11 Clsd and Reg - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

7A Page 2 'Governor' Continued from Page 1.., league President and San Diego City Council Member Jim Madaffer. Second Vice President and Rolling Hills Estates Council Member Judy Mitchell and Immediate Past President and Riverside Mayor Ron Loveridge represented the League, The Governor called the meeting to brief local government leaders on California's serious budget deficit and his plan to continue to move the state forward while addressing the looming shortfall. Included in the Governor's agenda are programs he wants to accelerate because of the direct impact they can have on the economy, Specifically, he intends to issue the remaining 2006 infrastructure bonds approved by voters, which amounts to about $29 billion. Some of these funds will finance critical state and local transportation projects. The Governor also told local government leaders that he is committed to pushing for a healthcare package in the legislature, Along with outlining his proposal to place restrictions on expenditures during economically robust times, the Governor asked for input from local governments on potential budget solutions and was interested in the reaction of local government officials to his proposed budget. The leaders in the room expressed concern over a number of the local government proposals in his budget, but were also quick to recognize the magnitude of the problem faced by the Governor and legislature in closing an estimated $14 biUion defICit. The local officials in attendance were supportive of the Governor's efforts to put the state's bond money to work on infrastructure needs in California. League President Jim Madaffer assured the Governor that cities were ready to put the bond money to good use, in particular, the transportation money passed by the voters in Proposition 1A (2006). The meeting rounded out with a discussion of how the Governor hopes to deal with the state's projected cash flow problems over the next 12 to 18 months. As part of his strategy, he proposed delaying payments on the Highway Users Tax (per gallon gasoline excise tax) to local governments for five months. The League's leadership was concerned that this delay could postpone local projects, These projects are important to the communities and the overall economy. The Governor's staff said that they were not wedded to any particular program on the list of proposed budget delays, but also reiterated the serious nature of the cash flow problem and how it could only be managed with an array of solutions, As the meeting concluded. the Governor encouraged local officials to continue the dialogue with the Administration throughout the budget process. The League will continue to monitor the budget and will issue updates through Priority Focus and the Web site ~cacitie$,orq). The league's analysis of the Governor's proposed FY 2008-09 budget is available online at www.caclties.orQ. 'Homeowners Protection Act Qualifies' Continued from Pago 1." If passed by voters. the Homeowners Protection Act would provide solid protections for homeowners by prohibiting governments from taking an owner-occupied home to transfer to a private party. The measure is a direct response to the U.S, Supreme Court's infamous Kelo v. City of New London decision of 2005. The broad coalition supporting the Homeowners Protection Act includes seniors, homeowners, business, labor, environmentalists, affordable housing advocates, public safety leaders and local government. Last week the so..called California Property Owners and Fannland Protection Act qualified for the June ballot. This anti-rent control measure would also eviscerate local land use planning, gut environmental protections and undennine public water projects needed to ensure the state an adequate supply of clean drinking water. The deeply flawed measure, also known as the "Hidden Agendas Scheme," is being funded by wealthy apartment owners and mobile home park owners. 2