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6-A-5 RUSSO from page 1 ............... . Russo made his remarks before a crowd of several hundred people, gathered in Palm Springs for the CRA's annual conference. Governor Davis has proposed permanently extending to redevelopment agencies the shift to the state of local property taxes that currently applies to cities and counties (the "ERAF shift "). The cost to redevelopment agencies would start at $250 million in FY 2003 -04, but grow over time to an estimated S 1.2 billion each year. The current state budget includes a $75 million shift of RDA property taxes, but that was adopted with assurances that it would be a one -time only phenomenon. Russo stressed the League's solidarity with the RDA officials' efforts to educate legislators about how the loss of revenue would hurt economic development efforts around the state. He told them that the League board of directors had last month, without hesitation, adopted a set of priorities and principles brought to them by the California Redevelopment Association related to the Governor's proposed cuts. "We need data" He urged conference participants to develop data that will help tell the story of the important role redevelopment makes in job creation and local economic growth. "We're with you," he assured them, "but we need the data to prove" the value of redevelopment projects and the importance of preserving funding. Mr. Russo framed his remarks about the need for data by describing the loss of independence experienced by local communities over the past 20 years, as the state as acquired greater control over local governments 'revenues. LOCAL UPDATE The following are a few of the activities carried out by city officials and others under the 'LOCAL' banner (Leave Our Community Assets Local' — the coalition jointly sponsored by the League, the California State Association of Counties, and the California Special Districts Association. Grassroots Activities • The City of Sunnyvale conducted an all - day advocacy training program for intergovernmen- tal relations liaisons from varying departments such as parks and recreation, public safety and commis- sioners. Peninsula Division Regional Repre- sentative Rebecca Elliot gave an overview of the League and Grassroots Network/Regional Repre- sentative program. Her budget update was en- hanced by using the "Financing Cities" power point presentation (available on the League's Website) and she provided a hands -on explanation of the new Website Advocacy Center tool. In addition, the division structure was explained in detail, and an invitation to participate in division and League activities was extended. Also on the agenda were Jon Hellesoe, Deputy Director for Senator John Vasconcellos, Michelle Senders, Field Representative for Senator Diane Feinstein, Vice Mayor Tim Risch and City Manager, Bob La Sala. He described how California used to be one the strongest home rule states in the nation. The loss of local control over property taxes that began with Proposition 13 began to change that. It got worse in the early 1990's, when the state began to take a larger share of local property taxes to meet the state's constitutional requirements to fund schools. The result has been a loss of local fiscal control and a corresponding lack of accountability at all levels, he said. "This has been bad for California, and bad for California cities," he said. "The fact that Oakland can't fashion its budget until legislators make decisions in Sacramento makes no sense. It's all about who decides." Russo urged his audience to document the job creation and other accomplishments achieved through the work of the redevelopment agencies, to help with lobbying efforts to defeat the Governor's proposal to shift RDA funds to the state. " City officials in the San Diego Division are working with their counterparts at the county on a countywide forum on state budget impacts on local governments, currently scheduled to follow the mid - May release of the state's budget revise. "We have a renewed commitment to focus more on effective communication; reports League Regional Representative Catherine Hill, "both internally among fellow council members and city staff, and externally in our outreach to our coalition partners. We are also working to communicate frequently with our state officials and pursue media opportunities. We are hosting our first community partners' dinners by inviting the Chambers of Commerce to our April 24th division dinner. Chris McKenzie will be our feature speaker and we hope to bring out the area Chamber Executive Directors Condnued on Pape 8 Visit the League's Official Web Site-- www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS/PAGE 5