AgdaPkt 2003-04-07 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

8.A - ►2 LEGISLATORS AND FIREFIGHTERS' REPRESENTATIVE BRIEF LEAGUE POLICY COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2003 CALIFORNIA CITIES HELEN PUTNAM AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE CALL FOR ENTRIES: DEADLINE MAY 16 Assembly Member Darryl Steinberg (Sacramento), Senator Tom Torlakson (Antioch) and California Professional Firefighters' lobbyist Brian Hatch briefed members of the League's Revenue and Policy Committee in Sacramento today about their key legislative proposals that could change the mix of local revenues. The three participated as League guests, invited to explain their respective proposals and respond to questions and concerns raised by policy committee members. The bills discussed were: AB 1221— Steinberg and Campbell. The bill would reduce by half the amount of the Bradley -Bums sales tax that local governments receive and replace it on a dollar -for- dollar basis with property taxes. The intent of the measure is to reduce the dependency of local governments, particularly cities, on sales taxes to provide greater incentives through the property tax for housing and other non - retail development. SB 114 — Torlakson. This bill would prohibit local agencies from offering any financial incentive to an automobile dealer or big box retailer to relocate to their jurisdiction from another location in the same market area. AB 1690 — Leno. This bill seeks to authorize qualified cities to impose a personal income tax with a majority vote of their citizens. To qualify, they would first need to create a public safety finance agency, and agree to shift a dedicated portion of their sales tax revenues to support this new agency if a personal income tax is adopted. The public safety finance agency would support public safety needs as defined in the bill. The appearance by of each of these speakers gave members of the Revenue and Taxation Committee a chance to ensure the League's concerns were understood, and to hear the sponsors' and authors' responses to them. All three bills generated many questions and lively discussion. Committee Chairman Jim Madaffer, a member of the San Diego City Council as well as the League board of directors, presided over the session. The League board will consider policy committee recommendations on these and other measures when it meets in Sacramento April 4 -5. Cities with innovative programs in a wide range of categories are encouraged to compete for awards through the League's prestigious Helen Putnam Award for Excellence program. The call for entries for the program was distributed on March 6 to more than 3,800 department directors. The Helen Putnam Award recognizes out- standing achievement and innovation by cities whose contributions to community residents and businesses have resulted in lower costs or more effective delivery of services. Particular attention and credit is given to entries specifically advancing the League's 2003 strategic priorities: • Protect city services and revenues from state budget cuts • Expand the supply of housing in California in balance with the location of jobs • Restore public confidence in government, particularly city government Awards will be given for programs and projects in the following areas: Effective Advocacy • Housing Programs and Innovations • Enhancing Public Trust, Ethics, and Community Involvement • Intergovernmental Relations and Regional Cooperation • Community Services and Economic Develop- ment • Planning and Environmental Quality • Internal Administration • Public Safety • Public Works, Infrastructure, Transportation Additional information and applications are available on the League's website at http: // www.cacities.org /helenputnam. PAGE 2 /PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site-- www.cacities.org