AgdaPkt 2003-02-24 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

q A-5 VLFHEARING from page 1 ........................................... Assembly Member Leno made his remarks at the conclusion of a two -and -a half hour hearing of the Public Safety Committee, during which there was unanimous, bipartisan support to continue VLF funding for local government. "The Governor and (Department of Finance Director) Steve Peace have indicated that it is within their power," (to pull the VLF trigger) said Leno. Expressing his desire to work with Republicans to restore VLF funding Leno said, "For fifty years VLF was a bipartisan issue. We have made it partisan." The minority members of the committee, Assem- bly Members Todd Spitzer (Orange) and Jay La Suer (La Mesa) concurred in their strong support for continued VLF funding for local government. The committee heard testimony from Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown, League lobbyist Jean Korinke, City of Arroyo Grande Police Chief Rick TerBorch, and numerous other city police chiefs, county sheriffs, city and county fire officials, county admin- istrative officers and others about the impacts the impacts VLF cuts would have on local law enforce- ment, fire protection programs and overall public safety activities. Korinke stressed that cities were having to make decisions about budget cuts now due to their own declining revenues — even before addressing any cuts the legislature and the Governor may impose to help balance the state budget. She emphasized the impact that VLF cuts would have on many cities. Chairman Leno acknowledged receiving letters or resolutions supporting restoration of the VLF from 237 of the 478 cities, and 50 of 58 counties. TerBorch spoke as President of the California Police Chiefs Association, and referenced informa- tion the organization had collected from 221 agen- cies who responded to a recent survey conducted by the association about the impact VLF cuts would have on local police departments. Deep cuts were expected in community -based programs, patrol personnel, officers for drug diversion programs and drug and gang enforcement activities. More than 100 agencies said they would curtail replacements of vehicles, computers, and other essential equip- ment. Other officers repeated the theme that the extent of the VLF cuts would force cuts in person- nel. "How did we get here ?" asked TerBorch. He then went on to recount the history of the VLF cut in 1998, from the perspective of one who was present for all the discussions in the legislature and with then - Governor Pete Wilson. "The Police Chiefs went ballistic" when the proposal was made to cut taxes by cutting vehicle license fees, he said. They insisted, and ultimately won agreement, that if VLF was reduced the gen- eral fund would make up the backfill, and that legislation would assure that when the state lacked revenue to make up the backfill the fees would be restored. "We got assurance by everybody," said Ter Borch, "the Governor, the Republicans, the Demo- crats, that if the general fund could no longer fill that backfill then the VLF would go back up." "I don't even understand why we're here," he concluded. SAVE THE DATE! LEGISLATIVE ACTION DAYS MAY 14 &15 AT THE SHERATON GRAND HOTEL, SACRAMENTO Contact the League regional representa- tive for your League division for more informa- tion and to schedule an appointment with your legislator. More information coming soon to the League's website, www.cacities.org Don't know how to contact your regional rep? Visit the Issues and Advocacy Section of the League's website (www.cacities.org). Visit the League's Official Web Site-- www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS /PAGE 5