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q43 BUDGET QUOTES FROM THE PRESS Thanks to the strong mobilization of local officials and others, press outlets throughout the state continue to tell the story of impacts of Governor Davis' proposed budget cuts on local government. Many thanks to all of the city officials who have been so effective In edu- cating the media about the threat to local services posed by the state's budget mess. Following are quotes from just some of the recent articles. (See °LOCAL Update" on page 7 for more information on press coverage of how budget cuts will impact local services.) Sierra Sun, 2/20/03 - Where did the money go? — Oped by Michael S. Terwilliger, Fire Chief, Truckee Fire Protection District: "If VLF is not backfilled, it looks like around $500,000 yanked away from the town. Can we survive that? Sure, they have been fiscally prudent, but that is not the end of the story." Los Angeles Times, 2/21/03 - Thousand Oaks May Face Cuts. Analysis shows how loss of $4 million in state funds could affect city services and programs. - Police patrols, library hours and monthly street sweeping could be scaled back if the state, to help balance its budget, decides to withhold $4 million in funds earmarked for Thousand Oaks, city officials said. Among the more drastic cuts after July 1 would be elimination of one of six 24 -hour police patrols and halting minor traffic accident investigations. Also, deputies would no longer respond to burglar alarm calls unless a crime was verified. Nearly 99% of such incidents are false alarms, officials say. Sheriffs Cmdr. Keith Parks, who serves as the city's police chief, predicted he would lose three deputies, two senior deputies, a community service officer and end the popular DARE anti- drug program if forced to cut 10% from his $17.13 - million budget. Plans to purchase six new vehicles and a motorcycle would be canceled and there would be reduced staffing throughout the department. The Ventura County Star, 2/25/03 - State cut could mean Oxnard shortfall - If Gov. Gray Davis is successful in stopping vehicle license- fee payments to cities and counties, Oxnard offi- cials say, it would have a serious impact on the city, a forecast that contradicts the optimism they expressed last month. "Staff is predicting that the loss of VLF (vehicle license fees) could result in a deficit in FY 2003 -2004 of $5.2 million under the worst -case scenario," the staff report says. "We couldn't continue services as they are," city analyst Dennis Scala said Monday. "Out of an $80 million (general fund) budget, that is a really big hit' The Press Democrat, 2126/03 - Sheriff weighs budget cuts. Cogbill warns public safety will be affected by any reductions in staffing, programs. If sales tax revenue ear- marked for public safety declines as expected, Sonoma County Sheriff Bill Cogbill estimated the elimination of as many as 40 positions in the 670 - employee Sheriffs Department would be required to meet budget demands. "I don't want to panic people, because we don't know what's going to happen," he said. "But this is real. It is going to filter down to the local agencies." Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, 2/26/03 - Librar- ies brace for budget cuts. Ontario could lose about $100,000 in public library funds this year and in subsequent years, said Ken Jeske, the city's public works director. The city received about $247,000 in public library funds from the state last year. "Keeping library collections and materials up to date is very significant to a library," Jeske said. "Library materials are changing every day.... We use these dollars as an integral part of our opera- tions." Riverside Press Enterprise 2124103 - Local governments facing cuts - In Los Angeles County, Chief Administrative Officer David Janssen said the county could lose $472 million in backfill payments during its next fiscal year. Laying off 1,100 sheriffs deputies, releasing 2,900 non- violent inmates early and closing a jail are among the options. "The homicide rate is going up, violent crime is increasing, yet we're talking about decimat- ing public safety; said Chief Paul Tanaka of the sheriffs administrative services division. The department's Operation Safe Streets anti -gang detective unit also could become a casualty of the looming budget crisis, Tanaka said. Continued on Page a Visit the League's Official Web Site-- www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS /PAGE 3