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9.Al <br />January 24, 2003 <br />Issue # - 2003 <br />DCCy KSUK 141 6I(Ko (at;" (iIKS <br />ASSEMBLY AND SENATE BUDGET COMMITTEES REJECT MID -YEAR <br />CUTS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT <br />VLF'TRIGGER" BILL CLEARS FIRST HURDLE <br />It was a busy week in Sacramento as the Legislature struggled to make sweeping and painful mid- <br />year cuts to the current state budget. During these deliberations, the Assembly and Senate budget <br />committees have focused solely on closing the deficit in the current year budget, putting off any deci- <br />sions on the projected deficit for 2003 -04. For more, see page 4. <br />....................... <br />FINANCE DIRECTOR'S MISSTEP OPENS PATH TO DIALOGUE <br />City and county officials throughout the state were outraged yesterday to learn of remarks by State <br />Department of Finance Director, Steve Peace, who was quoted in the Sacramento Bee as saying that <br />vehicle license fees are the "crack cocaine of local government." <br />The League worked closely with our partners at the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) <br />and public safety throughout the day on a series of actions to respond to these inappropriate remarks. <br />For more, see page 5. <br />....................... <br />CITIES MOUNT STRONG RESPONSE ON VLF <br />City officials throughout the state responded strongly and positively to the League's appeal of last <br />week for phone call, letters and the adoption of formal resolutions, urging legislators to vote to restore <br />the Vehicle License Fee (VLF). <br />"The letters and resolutions have just poured in," said Jean Korinke, League Revenue and Taxation <br />Lobbyist. "Within three days of our issuing an alert we had over 100 copies of letters and resolutions. <br />Today our count is up to about 135. And they keep coming! <br />"We were also pleased that so many city officials were helped by using the Advocacy Center tools <br />on our website," added Korinke. The website ( www .cacities.oraladvocacvicenter) allows city officials to <br />access letters to their legislator online, and either send them as email, fax them or download a copy to <br />send as a letter. For more, seepage 5. <br />Page 2 • Housing Opportunities Task Force Plans Legislative Recommendations <br />Page 3 • Utility Users Tax Task Force Update <br />Page 5 . Water Board Delays Hearing on Phase II Storm Water Permit <br />Page 6 . NLC Targets Social and Infrastructure Needs <br />