AgdaPkt 2003-04-28 - Laserfiche WebLink

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q A-24 THE BUDGET STORY - SOME PRESS QUOTES Editorials, Columns, Opeds, Letters to the Editor San Jose Mercury News, 4/11/03, "Legisla- tion to help raise revenue is a start, but what's really needed is an overall solution. What's needed is an overall plan that stops the jerry- rigging and redesigns the structure to fit the 21 st century political and economic shape of California. Various levels of government — local, county, schools, state — need sources of revenue that are as predictable as possible and that can't be raided from above. Unfortunately, big solutions tend to run into big roadblocks in the Legislature. Another patch might be all it can manage, but it would be less a rescue than an admission of failure." Articles The Lassen County News, 4/14103, County taking steps to offset budget crisis. "While California struggles with its budget crisis, the County Administrative Officer is asking each of Lassen County's departments to submit budget requests including a 10 percent cut in operating expenses. "Hopefully the public will not see any reduction in services," CAO Andy Whiteman said. "But we have to take a proactive approach." "Locally our revenues are coming in as projected," Whiteman said, "so its not a downturn in locally generated revenues which are sales tax, property tax and fees. It's our concern about what's going on at the state level. So many of our revenues come from the state, VLF (vehicle license fees) dollars and the Williamson Act. "With lack of movement at the state level, Whiteman said the final state budget may not be known for many months." elderly, disabled and unemployed, Sonoma County officials are preparing to cut 67 jobs in the Human Services Department and slash funding to nonprofit groups that help the needy. "It is the latest round of proposed cuts in what is shaping up as a grim budget year for the county and pushes to 115 the total number of county jobs that could be eliminated. "It's certainly not our choice to make these cuts," Supervisor Valerie Brown said. "Social services are absolutely dependent on money coming from the state. When the state doesn't provide the dollars for it, you can't provide the service." Oakland Tribune, 4/12103, Children's cen- ter may lose funds — State.deficit threatens help for kids with developmental disabilities. "Some of the govemor's proposals are realty going to be devastating for programs like this if they come through,' said Barbara Garcia, coordi- nator of the Alameda County Developmental Disabilities Council... 'The governor wants to have everything run at the state level and cookie -cutter it. "In addition to cuts to the regional centers, the governor's co- payment proposal would severely affect Ala Costa. According to the Legislative Analyst's Office, the plan would mean families with disabled children ages 3 to 17 who live at home and receive services through regional centers would have to pay up to 10 percent of their gross family income each year." The Torrance Daily Breeze / COPLEY NEWS SERVICE, 04/13/03, Deep budget cuts on agenda. "Los Angeles County officials are slated to release an annual budget Monday that relies on deep cuts to public safety, including the elimination of more than 500 positions in the Sheriffs Department. The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, 4/14/04, Spervisors to consider plans to cut 67 jobs, slash funds for nonprofits that help needy. "In a move that could weaken the safety net for the "Things could get far worse, however, if the state Legislature eliminates its deficit— up to $35 billion — by shifting the burden to local govem- ments." Continued on Page 6 PAGE 4 /PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site -- www.cacities.org