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Bk- LOCAL UPDATE The following are a few of the activities carried state budget and the potential impact on local out by city officials and others under the "LOCAL" services. 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 • After a presentation by Sacramento Valley Regional Representative Cody Tubbs, the South Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce, which includes significant lodging, gaming recreation and tourism interests, voted unanimously this week to join the LOCAL Coalition. " Senior staff at the city of Rancho Palos Verdes completed their first -ever Grassroots Advocacy training this week. The training took place over three sessions led by Orange County Regional Representative Ann Marie Wallace, and were incorporated into the team's regularly scheduled weekly management meeting. Topics covered by Wallace included the state legislative process, legislative advocacy, new advocacy tools available on the League's website and coalition building techniques. As a result of the training, the staff identified several new ways to educate their community about the state budget crisis and to involve them in the LOCAL coalition. For example, the annual Rancho Palos Verdes community leaders breakfast scheduled for May 10th will now include a budget briefing and action items for attendees, including a sign -up form to join LOCAL. In the meantime, the city manager is also planning to send letters targeted to key community groups to invite their participation in the LOCAL Legislative Action Days May 14 -15th. " The Orange County Division -area LOCAL Coalition partners are hosting a countywide breakfast on April 18 with Orange County legisla- tors and local elected officials. Attendees will participate in an informative discussion on regional and statewide issues, including an update on the " Through the organization of Monterey Bay Regional Representative Deanna Sessums, the Monterey Bay cities are reaching out to area counties and special districts to participate in a public education campaign focused on the state budget crisis and the potential impact on local services. Last year the region collectively aired television, radio and print advertisements and launched a website and information line for con- cerned citizens to become more involved. The effort included a press conference to kick off the effort highlighting spec effects on local services as a means of engaging Monterey Bay local media. • On March 17th, San Diego City Council passed a resolution in support of full VLF payment to local government. The Council adopted the following resolution "Urging the California Legislature to reject a shift of local vehicle license fee (VLF) revenues and to honor the 1998 commitment to restore the VLF. Declaring that the city council of the city of San Diego supports full payment of the VLF to local govemments by whatever means the State feels necessary to fulfill their commitment, whether that be through continued backfill of the VLF or implementation of the provision of the current law providing for the reinstatement of the VLF." " "LOCAL coalition partners throughout the state have been routinely setting up meetings with their legislators, to ensure that the legislators hear from a range of organizations and interests about the importance of preserving local services from state budget cuts. Meetings have already been held throughout the state. Upcoming meetings include " Lake Forest, Orange County Division with Assembly Member John Campbell " Livermore, East Bay Division with Assembly Member Guy Houston " San Francisco, Peninsula Division with Assem- bly Member Leland Yee Continued on Page 7 Visit the League's Official Web Site-- www.cacities,org PRIORITY FOCUS /PAGE 3