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7A.3 <br />BUDGET WATCHERS FOCUS ON MAY 14 REVISION <br />CITY OFFICIALS URGED TO "KNOW YOUR NUMBERS" <br />With the approach of the May 14 statutory <br />deadline for release of the governor's revised <br />budget, city officials are joining with their LOCAL <br />coalition partners in pressing legislators to under- <br />stand the impact that cuts to local services will <br />have on California communities. <br />This year, May 14 falls on the first of two <br />Legislative Action Days in Sacramento sponsored <br />by LOCAL (Leave Our Community Assets Local), <br />the coalition sponsored by the League, the Califor- <br />nia State Association of Counties (CSAC) and the <br />California Special Districts Association (CSDA). <br />City Officials "Urged to Know Your Numbers" <br />events are likely to move fast and furiously, <br />perhaps changing on a weekly, if not daily basis. <br />You can prepare yourself to respond now by <br />determining the potential impacts of the various <br />proposals to cut local government funds that have <br />been offered to date. Be sure to translate the <br />numbers into real, every day impacts on the <br />citizens of your city. And be sure to bring the <br />stories with you to Legislative Action Days, <br />May 14-15, In Sacramento. <br />Even if the May revision numbers change, the <br />exact impact can most likely be assumed from <br />the information you provide. <br />Whether you are attending legislative action <br />days, or will be monitoring the May revision re- <br />motely, now is the time to: <br />Know your numbers, know the impact, and put <br />faces on the issues! <br />Four Proposals, Similar Issues <br />There are currently four budget proposals from <br />four separate sources: the Governor (mid -year <br />and January proposal), the Senate Republican <br />Caucus, the Assembly Democratic Caucus <br />(partial budget solution), and the Assembly Repub- <br />lican Caucus. Each proposal deals with a variety <br />of local government issues; each imposes varying <br />degrees of impact. <br />From the vehicle license fee (VLF) backfill, <br />booking fees, traffic congestion relief project <br />(TCRP) funds, and more, almost every source <br />of state assistance to cities and city revenues <br />has been offered up for potential cuts. (See <br />chart "Summary of Statewide City Impacts" on the <br />League's Web site at www.cacities.org /budget for <br />details of each proposal.) Great uncertainty <br />remains as to which of these options will be <br />adopted, if any, and to what at what level of cuts. <br />What is certain is that the next round of the <br />budget debate will begin on May 14. Thereafter <br />And, if you're not able to attend Legislative <br />Action Days, be prepared to talk with your legisla- <br />tor as soon as the May revision information is <br />available. <br />For details on the May revision, and the <br />League's response, monitor our website: <br />www.cacities.org. As soon as we have informa- <br />tion available, we'll provide it to you. In the mean- <br />time, if you have questions, please contact Jean <br />Korinke, (916) 658 -8245, jkodnke @cacities.org. <br />NOW AVAILABLE <br />The 2003 City Hall Directory <br />Don't miss this opportunity to get the League's most <br />useful reference tool. This comprehensive California <br />directory provides important contact information for <br />mayors, council members and city department heads. <br />The directory also features the League's staff <br />directory, corporate partners, affiliate organizations <br />and a wide variety of advertisers. <br />Purchase this publication on -line at www.cacities.org/ <br />store or call 916.658 -8257 for an order form. City <br />officials price: $30 Non -city official price: $45 <br />Visit the League's Official Web Site -- www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS /PAGE 3 <br />