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h I, \111 PUBLIC SAFETY from page 1 The proposal continues the trend of raiding the SETNA for the sake of the state General Fund, which last year received $50 million in just such a transfer. Each of these fund transfers come on top of a federal requirement that PSAPs take on additional responsibilities related to provision of wireless (cellular) 911 service. For the past three years, CHP has been administering the wireless 911 call taking operation from each of its 24 Communications Centers, but according to a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Order issued in 2001, California Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) shall receive wireless 9- 1-1 calls in an easy -to -read (preferably mapped) format. This Order set in motion the requirement that PSAPs work with CHP to begin transferring wireless 911 call taking responsibilities from the CHP Communications Centers to the PSAPs. Without money in the SETNA, PSAPs are going to unable to transfer responsibility for wireless 911. In recent years many city and county commu- nications centers have been struggling to retain the traditional funding levels necessary to pur- chase the equipment to handle 911 calls. Without funding for their equipment, these centers will no longer be able to answer 911 calls. In addition to no longer funding the communication centers throughout the State, the funds remaining in the SETNA would be insufficient to pay SBC Pacific Bell and Verizon, the telephone service providers that maintain and operate the 911 system in California. Please work to notify your legislators and the Governor that this shift could severely cripple the 911 system, and moreover, the Governor's proposed transfer is inconsistent with the statute which guides the reimbursement process. If you have any questions, please con- tact Aaron Ferguson, 9161658 -8249, fergusa @cacities.org. BUDGET from page 1 ............... Thursday, January 16 — The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on State Administration met and voted to approve a number of the Governor's proposed current year cuts to state programs (none directly affected local govem- ment). The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Transportation acted on the Governor's mid -year budget cuts to transportation funding, rejecting some elements (e.g., the proposed reduction of street and road maintenance funding to cities and counties), changing others, and deferring action to the full committee on yet others. (Details on these transportation actions will be provided in a direct League communication to cities. For more infor- mation on these actions, please contact League Transportation Lobbyist Natasha Fooman, 916.658.8214, email foomann @cacities.org.) Thursday, January 23 — The Senate Local Government Committee and the Senate Housing and Community Development Committee will hold a combined hearing to examine the impacts of the proposed cuts to redevelopment agencies. PLANNING COMMISSIONER'S HANDBOOK The Planning Commissioner's Handbook describes the tools available for planning commissioners and others to assist in reaching the community's goal of quality planning. The handbook is an excellent refer- ence for r -- and logo -term commissioners and planr and � udes see oral chapters on subjecr;, such as legal authority, general procedures, policy and programs, and working relationships. Item #: 981; $50.00. For ordering information call 916.658 -8257 or e-mail citybook @cacities.org. PAGE 6/PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site-- www.cacities.org