AgdaPkt 2003-05-12 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

r AB 1221 from page 1 • • • 6 6 6 8 • • 0 6 6 6 • ' MEMBERSHIP from page 1 - - • • ' - - • • - - AYES (4) - Laird, Leno, Firebaugh and Harman; NOT VOTING (3) Chavez, Wyland and Simitian. The measure enjoyed an odd array of support- ers including the State Chamber of Commerce, the California Building Industry Association, the California Retailers Association, the California State Association of Counties and several indi- vidual counties. Authors Have Yet to Address League Concerns While the authors, Assembly Members Steinberg and Campbell, continue to assure the League and other opponents that they want to work with cities on the bill, they have offered no amendments to address any of our concerns, nor called meetings to address the concerns of cities. Constitutional Protection the Threshold Issue The League opposes the measure because it gives the state control over local government sales taxes. This is the only remaining local revenue source that the state has not preempted. If past history is any indication, state control over local revenues only leads to a reduction or confis- cation of those revenues to pay for state general fund excesses. We have urged the authors to amend the measure to give local governments constitutional protection over local government revenues to ensure that the state will no longer intrude into local fiscal affairs to solve state gen- eral fund problems. There has been no meaningful response and no offers to seriously discuss alternatives. The Special Meeting of the League General Assembly was announced by the League in late March. City delegates at the meeting will be asked to vote on a resolution relating to proposals that could change the state -local fiscal relationship by strengthening constitutional protections for local revenues, and help resolve the state's budget crisis. The information package includes a copy of the draft resolution, as well as background infor- mation relating to the development of this pro- posal. Voting procedures are also explained in the materials. Special Briefings Scheduled to Answer Questions The League has also scheduled three sepa- rate conference call briefings for city officials who have questions about the upcoming meeting. The briefings are set for Monday, May 5, Tuesday, May 6, and Monday, May 12, all at 4:00 -5:00 p.m. City officials interested in participating can get more details by calling 916.658.8200. City officials with questions about the meeting are also free to contact League Executive Director Chris McKenzie at 916.658.8275, email mckenzieCa)cacities.orc. Cities are urged to appoint and send a delegate to this important meeting! We ask that you contact your legislator and ask for a NO vote on AB 1221 in either the Appropriations Committee or on the Assembly floor when it comes up for a vote, unless the authors are willing to join the measure to constitutional protection of local government revenues. Our Mission Restore and protect local control for cities through education and advocacy to enhance the quality of life for all Californians. PAGE 8 /PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site- •www.cacities.org