|
9.A -if
<br />•M• !• a1'1 I� •y •
<br />cep ti �• •�-._� n' •
<br />On May 10, John Russo (President, League of
<br />California Cities), Tim Smith (President, California
<br />State Association of Counties) and Bill Miller (Presi-
<br />dent, California Special Districts Association) sent a
<br />request to Governor Davis and legislative leaders, to
<br />set aside all other duties, including the consideration
<br />of legislation, until the budget and its related legisla-
<br />tion is put before the governor for his signature.
<br />State Water Resources Control Board, in
<br />cooperation with the League, CSAC, the California
<br />Special Districts Association, the California Rural
<br />Water Association, the Local Government Commis-
<br />sion and the Governor's Office of Planning and
<br />Research, has announced a series of workshops to
<br />assist those local governments and others covered
<br />by the Phase II Storm Water permit prepare their
<br />plans. A formal announcement of the workshops is
<br />available on the Water Board's website at: http: //
<br />www.swrcb.ca.gov /stormwtr /, at the Hot News
<br />section.
<br />"Although this is, by all standards, a dramatic and
<br />unparalleled request, we are in unparalleled times.
<br />The people of California deserve no less than our full
<br />attention to the state budget crisis ", the communica-
<br />tion stated.
<br />Without such action, the legislature will continue
<br />on its normal schedule of considering current -year
<br />legislation, which amounts to some portion of close
<br />to 1,800 Assembly and 1,100 Senate bills. Many of
<br />these bills still need to be considered by policy and
<br />fiscal committees before going to the floor for votes
<br />in their house of origin (which is required by June 6
<br />for current -year bills to survive). At the same time,
<br />members of the legislature will be struggling to meet
<br />a constitutional deadline of June 15 to approve a
<br />final budget package, with both houses concurring,
<br />to deliver to the governor for his signature by June
<br />30 ". The new fiscal year begins July 1".
<br />The local leaders are not suggesting that critical
<br />Policy matters be dropped. Rather, that they be
<br />Postponed so that the full attention of the legislature
<br />can be focused on meeting the budget deadline.
<br />This would send an important message to the
<br />electorate and financial community that the state is
<br />serious about resolving it's fiscal matters quickly.
<br />Because of the interdependent relationship with
<br />the state, the budget crisis in California is the single
<br />most important local government issue this year.
<br />Quick resolution is necessary for the state and
<br />locals governments to be able to move forward on a
<br />myriad of issues.
<br />Each workshop is approximately 6 hours long
<br />and will consist of a presentation of the six minimum
<br />program measures required, group participation
<br />project, and a questions/answer session. There is
<br />no charge to attend. Dates and locations are:
<br />Wednesday, May 21, 2003: Central Valley
<br />Regional Board, Fresno; 1685 "E" Street
<br />Fresno, CA 93706 -2020; 9:30 a.m. — 3:30 p.m.;
<br />Pre- Register by May 19
<br />Tuesday, June 3, 2003: North Coast Regional
<br />Board; 5550 Skylane Blvd, Ste A, Santa Rosa,
<br />CA 95403; 9:30 a.m. — 3:30 p.m.; Pre - register by
<br />May 30
<br />Tuesday, June 10, 2003: Colorado River Basin
<br />Regional Board; 73 -720 Fred Warning Dr, Ste 100,
<br />Palm Desert, CA 92260; 9:30 a.m. — 3:30 p.m.;
<br />Pre- register by June 6
<br />Thursday, June 12, 2003: Central Valley Regional
<br />Board, Sacramento; 3443 Routier Road, Ste A,
<br />Sacramento, CA 95827 -3098; 9:30 a.m. — 3:30
<br />p.m.; Pre - register by June 9
<br />Friday June 20, 2003: Central Coast Regional
<br />Board; 895Aerovista Place; Suite 101, San Luis
<br />Obispo, CA 93401; 9:30 a.m. — 3:30 p.m., Pre -
<br />register by June 15
<br />The Water Board requests that attendees pre -
<br />register by the above dates by contacting Patrick
<br />Otsuji at otsup @swrcb.ca.gov or (916) 341 -5292 or
<br />Jarma Bennett at bennj @swrcb.ca.gov or (916)
<br />341 -5532.
<br />PALE 4 /PRIORITY Po= Wait tine lei gta: 8 Official Nib SS.te- iawr.csdtiee.cCg
<br />
|