AgdaPkt 2008-06-09 - Laserfiche WebLink

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8A Page 2 'May Revise' Continued from Page 1... Important to cities is the fact that the Governor's plan does not propose to borrow cities' share of property taxes through Proposition 1A and continues to provide full Proposition 42 transportation funding. The Governor's reluctance to borrow local funds to fill the deficit appears to be based upon his philosophy that the state must address its own budget problems. In his annual State of the State address in January, the Governor acknowledged that previously, in times of budget shortfalls, the Legislature took money from local governments, transportation, bonds and pension funds. He told Californians that those avenues are now limited due to several voter-approved initiatives. This theme was reiterated when the Governor discussed his May revise proposal on May 14. In response to a reporter's question about proposed additional cuts to Health and Human Service programs, he said, "Everyone has to tighten their belts. Local government has to tighten their belts, we have to tighten our belts." The Governor also mentioned his recent travels and town hall meetings held throughout California this spring. In those meetings, he said he repeatedly heard that the state must fix its budget system and not spend beyond its own means. The Governor said in his opening remarks on May 14, "What they want us to do is to fix our dysfunctional budget system once and for all, so that we don't have to go through this pain every time the economy cools off." The Governor's revised budget retains the proposed 10 percent across-the-board cuts to state agencies, but increases funding for K-12 education to meet the minimum threshold for Proposition 98, eliminates the prior proposal for the early release of 20,000 inmates, and prevents state park closures by increasing fees. Through executive order, the revised budget would also create a bipartisan tax commission called the Tax Modernization Commission. The created body would be comprised of legislative and gubernatorial appointees charged with budget reform that would improve the state's tax laws. Funding Areas of Specific Interest to Cities The Governor's revised budget includes funding allocations for these programs of importance to California cities. Public Safety COPS/Juvenile Justice Grants. The Citizen Option for Public Safety (COPS)/Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act Program is subject to the Governor's across-the-board January proposed 10 percent cuts to state agencies. The revised budget would continue to fund these programs at a level of $214 million. Booking Fees. Payments to counties for Local Detention Facilities (Gov Code 29552) were also subject to the January budget's proposed 10 percent reduction. The revised budget maintains the amount proposed in January of $31.5 million. Current law stipulates that in any year that the budget appropriation is less than $35 million, counties may impose booking fees on cities in proportion to the amount under appropriation. In this case, it would be up to 10 percent of cost. Early Release/Summary Parole. While the Governor's May revise withdraws the "early release" proposals, the summary parole program included in his January budget continues as a proposal for a cost savings of $173.6 million, approximately $75.7 million more than previously estimated for FY 2008-09. "Summary parole" is defined as the status of a person who is under the jurisdiction of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) during their parole period but is not subject to regular and active supervision by the CDCR. The COCR has the authority to continue to provide services, as deemed necessary, to any person on summary parole. 2