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8 A- ?I QUOTESfrom page 6 ............................................... LA Times, 319/03, O.C.'s Carved -Up Budget Is Harbinger of Counties' Woes. Many agen- cies, services will feel $102 million in cuts. State's shortfall will add to the problem. "The budget crisis that we're experiencing right now is the biggest obstacle in our financial planning since the Orange County bankruptcy," said Gary Burton, the county's chief financial officer. "There is a chance, if the state is not careful, they could bankrupt the county. And [we] would be one of the first ones that would fall." The Contra Costa Times, 3/7103, Controller says state borrowing may hit $11 billion. "As- semblywoman Jenny Oropeza, the Long Beach Democrat who chairs the Assembly Budget Committee, .... indicated that Assembly Demo- crats are waiting for some assurance from (State Controller Steve) Westly and the Department of Finance that current law will trigger a VLF in- crease later this year to help with the state's budget problems. "'We still feel very strongly there needs to be a commitment as to when the (VLF) trigger will be pulled,' she said." The Torrance Daily Breeze, 03/08/03, South Bay cities warn state cuts will hurt law enforcement. "A parade of South Bay officials testified Friday in Inglewood before the state Senate Committee on Local Government to enumerate the effects the governor's proposed budget cuts to handle the state deficit, estimated at $25 billion to $35 billion, would have on local cities. The committee is holding a series of hear- ings around the state. ..The basic message from local officials: The state has balanced its budget on the backs of cities for too long." Sacramento Business Journal, 3/6/03, League of California Cities seeks fiscal re- form. "The League of California Cities is calling for reforms of the "state -local fiscal relationship" that currently allows the state to "raid local funds" 'We need both fiscal predictability and inde- pendence to properly govem,' said Chris McKenzie, executive director of the Sacramento- based League. "Local government can live with the risks of economic uncertainty. But we can't properly plan for and manage the local service needs of 35 million people If the state can always step in and raid local funds." ANGELIDES from page 4 " " "•• " " " " " " "" Legislative Analyst Liz Hill provided an analysis of current tax systems and suggested that as the State considers tax reform it must also consider local tax systems and that property tax and local control over local revenue base should be exam- ined in this discussion. The next meetings will be March 24 at the James Irvine Foundation in San Francisco, April 14 at the Southern California Association of Government in Los Angeles, and April 21 at the State Capitol in Sacramento. These meetings will set the stage for the interim report to be prepared by early May. The website www.caneweconomy.ca.gov contains minutes and background materials from previous meet- ings. 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 Y 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 7