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q.A-i3 QUOTES from page 12 attorney's offices — will take the brunt of budget cuts followed by health, social services and general government programs, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors' budget work group decided Thurs- day. "District Attorney Tom Orloff said if public protection is cut by 34 percent, then 'the system we have now will no longer exist.'" The Los Angeles Dally News, 04/18103, Crime unit at risk in cutbacks. "Ventura County Sheriff Bob Brooks said Thursday that he may have to eliminate the department's Crime Suppression Unit if its $10 million budget shortfall is not met. The 16- member unit supports law enforcement throughout the county and is responsible for tracking street gang activity. The Los Angeles Daily News, 04121/03, State decrees, bill's the county's. "Even as the state faces a $35 billion deficit and the possibility of cutting funding to cities and counties, state legisla- tors have 363 bills under consideration that would burden local government with millions of dollars in new costs. "'We have the strongest objections to unfunded mandates,' said Steve Szalay, executive director of CSAC. 'Obviously, during a time of budget crisis, it's doubly onerous.' "Along with the more than 300 bills that would impose unfunded mandates, the Legislature is also considering more than 80 bills that would raise taxes and fees $61 billion annually, according to the California Taxpayers Association.'" "Legislators said they themselves are frustrated by the cuts- versus -taxes deadlock and disap- pointed by the lack of progress Sacramento Bee, 04122/03, Field Poll: California sees deficit in budget leadership. "Californians don't have much faith in how their. leaders will handle the state budget crisis, and they're already resigned to what they expect will be the fallout in higher taxes, according to a Field Poll released Monday. "By a margin of almost 2 -to-1, poll respondents said they do not believe that the budget shortfall can be resolved without higher taxes' The Fresno Bee, 04/23/03, Avenel may be hit with fire cuts — Budget woes could result in volunteers staffing station. "Hard- hitting budget cuts facing the Kings County Fire Depart- ment may mean staffing the Avenel fire station with volunteers instead of county firefighters. "'We don't want to lose a fireman on the street and we don't want to lose a deputy on the street,' Supervisor Tony Oliveira said. 'We're just going to have to fight for every penny we can and take a hard look at cutting some of these other areas.'" The Monterey County Herald, 04/23/03, County informed of huge shortfall — Natividad Medical Center's expenses are eating into county cash reserves. "County supervisors already trying to trim $20 million from the upcoming budget were told by county Auditor - Controller Mike Miller that the shortfall may actually be twice as bad as initially expected. Oakland Tribune, 04/21/03, Capitol blame game — Democrats, GOP say other party not willing to do what it takes. "Legislators said they are hearing, not just from the usual lobbyists, but from a stream of constituents worried the quality of their lives would be hurt by likely service cuts and tax hikes. But Bay Area lawmakers concede they don't have any real answers for them and acknowl- edge the political standoff over a deficit solution isn't helping the Legislature's already tarnished image. They are unsure when a budget may be adopted — Christmas perhaps, one said privately, which would be a financially disastrous six months into the new fiscal year. "Miller said accumulated debt and 'impaired assets' at Natividad Medical Center, the county - operated hospital, have left the county general fund up to $20 million short of cash." Visit the League's Official Web Site-- www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS/PAGE 13