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LEAGUE SUPPORTS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON OPEN GOVERNMENT The League has taken a position of SUP- PORT on SCAT which amends the State Consti- tution to provide that the people have a right of access to governmental information. Earlier this year the League Executive Committee was authorized by the board of directors to support the measure if the author, Senator John Burton, accepted amendments to protect existing statu- tory exemptions in the public records and open meetings laws and other related concerns of the League. SCA 1 passed unanimously out of the Senate Constitutional Amendments Committee on Wednesday, May 21. It will soon be heard on the Senate Floor. "By this action the League has confirmed its longstanding commitment to open government," said League President John Russo. "It is our belief that the public should have a right to information about its government whether in the form of access to public records or to public meetings. SCA 1 is an important measure that not only allows for governmental access, but protects existing statutes that address the need to keep certain types of information confidential." Over the last two years League staff has worked with the California Newspaper Publishers Association, the California First Amendment Coalition, the Attorney General's Office and the California State Association of Counties to ad- dress our concerns about the severe impacts that a constitutional amendment would have on current law. The League's needs were finally addressed when SCA 1 was amended to include a subdivision (b4), which reads: (4) This subdivision does not repeal or nullify, expressly or by implication, existing statutory exceptions to the right of access to public records or meetings of public bodies, including statutes protecting the confidentiality of law enforcement and prosecution records. " SCA 1 will undoubtedly elevate the public's right to know while maintaining existing statutes that protect the public interest in keeping certain records and meetings confidential," explained Russo. "I want to express appreciation to Sena- tor Burton and the sponsors of the amendment for their willingness to address the concerns of cities. This amendment deserves to go before the people of our state at a statewide election, and I have no doubt it will receive strong approval from the voters of our state who believe passionately about open government." The League of California Cities was one of the original architects and supporters of the Ralph M. Brown Act and has been a consistent supporter of the public's right of access to infor- mation about government. The League's position on SCA 1 is consistent with the League's 2003 -04 Strategic Plan, which emphasizes its commitment to restoration of the public confidence in govern- ment. ................... ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE RESTORES BOOKING FEES The Assembly Budget Subcommittee #4 restored full funding for booking fees during its Thursday hearing. The Senate did not discuss this issue. In additional action in the Assembly Subcommittee, the $18 million in funding for law enforcement high technology grants was transferred to the Board of Cor- rections for training purposes, some of which will benefit cities. The recommendations of the budget subcommittees now go to the full budget committees of both houses for review. This is expected to happen as early as Tuesday in the Assembly. For legislators' phone numbers, ad- dresses and e-mail please see the League's website (www.cacities.oro/ leclislativesearchl. Visit the League's Official Web Site-- www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS /PAGE 3