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9.4 -s LOCAL UPDATE Grassroots activites on the budget by city officials and their LOCAL coalition partners contin- ued this week. Some reports: Last week, Daly City's Mayor and City Council sent a letter to the Governor, the Chairs of all Assembly and Senate committees and the leadership of both houses, urging them to change their focus of using local government as a solu- tion, or part of the solution, to the State's budget crisis. The letter stated "Taxpayers deserve, if not demand, that their locally funded government services not be compromised in order to relieve you of your legislative duty to balance the State budget within traditional state revenue sources." The letters were accompanied by petitions signed by 218 city residents. Editorial Board Briefings Continue. League Regional Representatives are continuing to work with the LOCAL consultants and their coalition partners to schedule editorial board briefings on the budget. Los Angeles Division: Several Gateway cities, along with counties and special districts, met with the Long Beach Press Telegram editorial board to discuss the impact of state budget cuts. Bellflower, Lakewood, Paramount and Signal Hill sent representatives to the meet- ing, along with Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe and Phil Hawkins, board member for the Central Basin Water District. The group made their case for proportional, one -time only cuts to local governments and offered specifics on public safety and other staff reductions they have already made. Thanks to everyone for attending this important meeting. There was also an editorial board meeting with the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group. LOCAL participants were: Paul Philips, City Manager, City of Covina; Sam Di Gfovonns, Fire Chief, City of Monrovia; Steve West, General Man. ager, San Gabriel Mosquito and Vector Control District; and Pat Leary, CSAC Legislative Advocate. Redwood Empire Division: An editorial board meeting with the Santa Rosa Press Demo- crat was held last Monday, July 7. Participants were Tim Smith, Sonoma County Supervisor and President of the California State Associa- tion of Counties; Mayor Sharon Wright, City of Santa Rosa, Chief Michael Dunbaugh, Police Chief, City of Santa Rosa, and a representative from the California Special Districts Associa. don. . ... . ... . . .. ... . . .. ... . ... .. .. . PUBLIC FORUM ON TAXATION IN THE NEW ECONOMY The California Commission on Taxation in the New Economy will hold its next public forum in the Council Chambers of the City of Beverly Hills on Friday, July 18 from 1 to 4 p.m. Topics of discus- sion will be Michigan's °Single Business Tax," moderated by Douglas Drake of Wayne State University; and "The Flat Tax," moderated by Arthur Laffer of Laffer Associates, an economic research and consulting firm that provides global investment - research services. The California Commission on Tax Policy in the New Economy was established in 2000 by SB 1933, authored by Senator John Vasconcellos (Santa Clara). The Commission's purpose is to examine the impact of the Internet and other electronic technologies on taxation. The commis- sion reports its findings to both the Governor and the Legislature. More information on the public forum or the commission is available at www.caneweconomy.ca.gov or by contacting Eric Wiesenthal at 916.324.6737. ............................... Visit the League's Official Web Site-- www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS/PAGE 5