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i � -� -F <br />CALIFORNIA DISCUSSES TEA -21 <br />REATHORIZATION: <br />MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND CITIES <br />UNITED MARCH 11-12,2003 <br />WASHINGTON, D.C. <br />The California Congressional delegation Co- <br />Chairs Sam Farr and David Dreier and the League <br />of California Cities invite all California city officials <br />to participate in a roundtable discussion on TEA - <br />21 (Transportation Equity Act for the 21°' Century) <br />reauthorization, to be held March 11 -12, 2003, <br />immediately following the National League of Cities <br />Conference. <br />With TEA -21 expiring on September 30, 2003, <br />reauthorization is at the top of the Administration <br />and Congress' agenda for the 108`" Congress. <br />The Congressional delegation wants to hear cities' <br />concerns and forge a federal -local agenda to <br />maximize transportation resources for California. <br />The program will consist of: <br />• March 11, 6:00 -8:00 p.m., Rayburn House <br />Office Bulding, Room 2237: The California State <br />Society hosts an evening reception for California <br />ciry officials and the California Congressional <br />delegation. <br />• March 12, 10:00 -11:30 a.m., Cannon House <br />Office Building, Room 421: California Members <br />and cities discuss TEA -21 reauthorization issues. <br />We strongly urge all city officials to attend <br />and help strengthen our voice with Congress <br />and make our local needs known. Please let <br />the League's Jennifer Lewis know immediately of <br />your plans to attend. Telephone: (916) 658 -8254; <br />E -mail: lewisj@cacities.org. <br />CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT SETS <br />EARLY HEARING IN SB 402 CASE <br />With briefing barely complete, the California <br />Supreme Court has set a hearing in the lead <br />challenge to the constitutionality of SB 402 (impos- <br />ing binding arbitration to resolve public safety <br />compensation disputes). The hearing is February <br />4, 2003 in the Court's Sacramento courtroom. <br />The Court has 90 days from this date, or until May <br />5, to issue its decision. <br />The case is County of Riverside vs. Superior <br />Court. In that case, the court of appeal ruled that <br />SB 402 is unconstitutional for a number of rea- <br />sons. In order to achieve an expeditious resolution <br />of this issue, all sides supported review by the <br />California Supreme Court. <br />The Court will not lack for guidance on how to <br />resolve the issue. In addition to briefs submitted <br />by the Riverside Sheriffs' Union and the County, <br />there are a number of union friend-of-the-court <br />briefs. The League's friend-of-the-court brief <br />focuses on the argument that SB 402 violates <br />article XI, section 11 of the California Constitution, <br />which prohibits the Legislature from delegating <br />authority over municipal functions and money to a <br />private party. The League's brief takes issue with <br />the unions' argument that there is an exception to <br />that prohibition for issues of "statewide concern. <br />The League's brief also argues that, even if there <br />were such an exception, there is no basis for <br />applying it with respect to SB 402. The League's <br />brief is available from its website (shortcut <br />www.cacities.oro /sb4021. <br />Tne League will continue to keep its members <br />posted on the progress of the case. <br />�I Our Mission <br />Restore and protect local control for cities through education and advocacy to enhance the quality of life for all Californians. <br />PAGE 2/PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site-- www.cacities.org <br />