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10. BUDGET PRINCIPALS from page 1 • • • • • MANDATE from page 3 • • • * of • • . oleo . • Cities Already Contribute Substantially to Financing State Governments' Obligations. It should not be forgotten that cities already pro- vide critical financ;al assistance to state govem- ment, In 2002 -03 this totals almost $500 million in property taxes to meet the state's obligation to fund schools after all state subventions to cities are deducted. • Possible League Support For A State Budget Which Includes Proportional Cuts to Local Governments or Temporary Taxes Is Based On Two Conditions: ♦ No Onaoina Cuts -One Time Only. The League will only support a budget involving propor- tional cuts to local governments if the assistance is viewed as a one -time action. Any type of on- going reduction will be strongly opposed. well as the time and location of the meetings. This requirement in law constitutes about a $9 million annual state cos; to reimburse local government for these actions. Under our democratic system, the citizens have a right to know the actions being planned by public governing bodies and when and where those actions will be taken. The public expects to be properly notified by their local government about actions it plans to take. The mandate to comply with the Open Meetings Act is necessary. It is a principle upon which our government is founded and the support of it should remain completely independent of any fiscal con- siderations. For any questions on the issue of mandates, contact Jean Korinke, ikorinke a0cacities.orq, (916) 658 -8245. /1:18] ♦ Constitutional Protection Aaainst Future Cuts and Cost Shifts. In keeping with the May 15 action of the League's General Assembly, the League will only consider supporting a budget that involves proportional cuts to local governments or temporary taxes if the legislature places a consti- tutional amendment on the March, 2004 ballot protecting local government general revenues from future state reductions or cost shifts. In the absence of such an amendment, the League will not support any budget involving cuts to local governments or temporary taxes. • Local Governments Need Maximum Flexibility to Absorb Any Cuts. If both of the above conditions are met and the cuts are propor- tional, local governments need maximum flexibility to structure any cuts to give them maximum flexibility. Local governments should have the discretion to draw on various local funds to absorb the impact. ................. LOCALfrompage4 • e• ••• ••e• •.• in an intensive academic- professional program for visual and performing artists at the California State Summer School for the Arts in Valencia. Local government officials joined representatives from the offices of Assembly Members John Benoit, Ray Haynes and Russ Bogh and Senators Den. nis Hollingsworth and Jim Brulte, in honoring the youngsters. Riverside Mayor and League First Vice President Ron Loveridge praised the students and those who have supported them, telling them that the four -week Summer School would "change their lives." "The focus at this event was on celebrating the accomplishments of the young artists ", said League Regional Representative Dave Willmon. "While no one talked about the budget per se, what you saw were state legislative representa- tives and local officials coming together to appreci- ate the value to a community of a regional arts organization. It was a great way of illustrating why we value and are working to protect these types of community services." See Also: " The Budg Story — Press Quotes " , for samples of press coverage over the past week. PAGE 8 /PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site -- www.cacities.org