AgdaPkt 2008-05-12 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

9A Letters of oppostt�on sn«,b be sent ro Assembly Nlember cnaries c�aeron,the l�trs author.Fa�c Page 8 the letter to his ot�rce at(916)319-2158. In addition,ptease fax a copy a�the letter to the folloMring: • Your AssembEy Member�ci Senator • J-Stac.Y SuNivan,cfiief consuttant,Assernbly Committee on Local Govemment,fax:(918) 319-3959 • Dan Carrigg,legistative director, League of Califomia Cities,fax:(916)658-8240 Background For many Califomia c�#les,fransisnt occ�pan�cy[ax(TOTj has become an importar�and vital saxce of revenue,v�ich is collec�ed from guests wt�o stay at tatets arxi similar lodging estaWishments.The ordinar�css impiementing these local taxes vary in their wor�ng,snd the level and fype of�tivily that is haxed. AB 2676 coAtains f+otx pages of intent lartguage that pairrt to concems that t#te sponsors of lhis legislatian have about the appiic22�iion of ordinances within the City and County of San Francisco, as well as ather matfers.'These disputes over�interpretation of particular local ordinances are best settled at the iocal level,rather than attempt ro dic�ate a state-wide one-siz�frt�-atl aPp�'a�h o�ined fn this legistation. Purthermore,the drafting of this bili c�uld be irrterpreted to require local govemments to amend their ordinarx:es,as w�ell as interfere with a dty's ability fio appropria�ely audit the tax cotlec�ion Practices o#tatel owners/operators to ensare they are in fuli comp�ance with local orc�nanoes. • Senate Budget Committee Examines Le�islative Ar�afysts'Parote Reform Praposal On Thursday,Apr�17,Senate Budget Subcommittee#•t hekf a hea�ing ta examirie the Legisiative Analyst's Offics(LAO}proposal to shift state patde responsibility to courrties,payin9 for it by taking city Propos�ffon 172 publiC 5afety dollars,eiiminatirtg tt�e COPS program, efimir�ating Booking Fee reimtwrsemeMs�and shifting special dishict property tax dollars. �n addition to countY and probetion re�xesentatives,Assistant Polioe Chief Dan Katz repres�rrted #he city of San.bse and provided the toca#law enforcement perspectiv�on the pnoposal. SpeciScafly.Chief Ka#z poir�ed out that the frontline impads af parole realignment would be devastatirtg�v bCal law etlGorCemerrt agencies.He supP'orted this bY Pa►�i�9 out th�cily police provide services tia ov�80 percent of the state's�opulation,which indudes the vast majority of inmates who are paro�ed. Chief Katz a�so urged the oommittee fo realize ttrat the LAO proposal shoutd not be assessed irt isofation regard�g impacts to taw enfon�mer�t The ef�ecxs of a dec�'ming ecanomy ar�e severeiy impacting�dty budgets in alf areas as well.My cuts to aervice.s in one area will have a hickle ef�ct to other areas of ctity lwdgets,induding furnling that is essential for p�lic safety services. La Mesa Council Member and L�gue Public Safety Pofrcyr Commi#bee C�$i�Dave ANan�so testified during U�e hearn�g.H'rs r�r�arks c�tled attentiai to Me fact that in aclditfon to faw eM�rr�ant,the LAtJ propases to elimina�te fire protedion funds by�iminating a4es'pafion of Prop. 172 funds. The League recogn¢es ttr8t tough budget dedsi0ns will hav8 t0 be made dutirtg the Siate'S eoonomic slowda�rn.This includes exploring options to realign or reorg�ize�services, v�fiich is an ap�opriate policy discussion given the current flscal crisis. . Hawever,v�n the state re�i�s responsibitity to anofher level o#govemment,it should also si�ft speci6c state revenues assacEated wittt the new responsibility ta fund the program.M apExopria#e and�ailable funding souroe should be idern'�'+ed to fund the shift.funds relied on to protect public health and safety should not. 8