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I • A 1 L L January 17, 2003 Issue #2- 2003 l� t 4 fy 3� OA�9lf, tCl01AlIAOry tMd U�OkS N>tOQiSIOAti! 9� � IfStllf 111010 t0lilOr11i0 tiUOS SPEAKER COMMITS TO VLF RESTORATION BILL A week following the release of the Govemor's budget, the priority for cities and counties has be- come crystal clear: contact your legislators and urge them to support efforts by Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson (Culver City) to restore the Vehicle License Fee (VLF) backfill amount. Call them, write them, talk to them in person. Also, please pass resolutions calling for partial restoration of the VLF. And do it all as quickly as possible. For more, see page 4. ....................... REDEVELOPMENT, TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER BUDGET ISSUES Cities and their local government partners have many other important issues at play in the budget, as we reported last week in Priority Focus and in our mailing to cities earlier this week. We will continue to track and report events relating to these issues, even as we focus, and urge cities to also foCL3, most of their attention right now on the legislation to restore the VLF. Some events this week: For morn, see page 6. ....................... NEW PUBLIC SAFETY "HIT" IN THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET: $51 MILLION TRANSFER FROM 911 ACCOUNT City and county 911 communications centers will face an additional funding challenge as a result of a proposal in the Govemor's 2003 -04 Budget to transfer $51 million from the State Emergency Tele- phone Number Account (SETNA) to the California Highway Patrol to pay for non -911 operations. The SETNA contains funds that are collected as a surcharge on every telephone bill issued in California, and according to Revenue and Taxation Code Section 41136, funds are intended to reim- burse DGS and local agencies for the costs associated with managing and operating Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP). Cities, counties, and private entities fund most of the 512 PSAPs in the State of California that utilize call takers to receive 911 calls. The call takers contact the appropriate fire, medical, and /or law enforcement agency, that in turn sends resources and personnel to the caller's location. The proposed transfer will severely restrict the ability of PSAPs to receive adequate reim- bursements for their infrastructure and call- taking positions. For more, see page 6. Page 2 • TEA -21 Reathorization Meeting • California Supreme Court Sets Early Hearing in SB 402 Case Page 3 • Grassroots Panel Sets 2003 Program Goals • Regional Water Quality Control Boards Page 5 - Cities Take Action on the VLF _ Page 7 . "SOS "Support Grows Among California Cities