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9A -2 FEDERAL from page 4 • • • BUDGET BILLS from page 9 • • a FY 2004 VA, HUD and Independent Agencies Appropriations On July 21, the House Appropriations Commit- tee approved its FY 2004 VA -HUD spending bill (unnumbered). The bill funds the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at approxi- mately $37 billion, $942 million above FY 2003, including: • $4.9 billion for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, a $54 million in- crease over FY 2003, which includes $4.5 billion for formula grants. • $2.064 billion for the HOME Investments Partnerships program, a $77 million increase over FY 2003, which includes $1.87 billion for formula grants. • $18.4 billion for the Housing Certificate Fund, a $1.3 billion increase over FY 2003, including $11.57 billion for Section 8 voucher renewals. • $2.7 billion for Public Housing Capital Fund; and $3.6 billion for Public Housing Operating Subsidies. • $1.242 billion for homeless assistance grants, a $24.9 million increase over FY 2003, which includes full funding to renew Shelter Plus Care contracts. • $50 million for HOPE VI, a substantial de- crease from the FY 2003 level of $574 million. • $773 million for the Housing for the nation's elderly program (Section 202). • $250 million for the Disabled Housing pro- gram (Section 811). • $297 million for the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program (HOPWA), a $6.89 million increase over FY 2003. In addition, the Committee indicated it would defer any action on the Housing Assistance for Needy Families (HANF) state block grant proposal until it had been considered by the authorizing committees. state's uncertain fiscal future and because legislation to forgive repayment could be en- acted at a later date by a sample majority vote. The result of the partial suspension of Proposition 42 is a loss in fiscal year 2003 -04 of $188 million for cities and counties for local streets and roads rehabilitation and mainte- nance, $88 million for the STIP, and $94 million for the Public Transportation Account (PTA). Further, the TCRP funding is reduced by $489 million. Public Transportation Account (PTA) "Spill- over" Funds. AB 1751 would adopt the Governor's proposal to eliminate an $87 million transfer to the PTA and retain this amount in the General Fund for non - transportation purposes. However, the Governor's budget bill language was deleted so that revenues in excess of $87 million would be transferred to the PTA. Current law contains an arcane formula that requires the General Fund to transfer sales tax revenues to the PTA under specified conditions. This trans- fer is often triggered during periods of high gasoline prices and is used to fund rail and mass transit projects. The proposal does not set a precedent - similar proposals have been adopted in the past. State Highway Account. Senate action on the budget also included the requirement for early repayment of $173 million in General Fund obligations to the State Highway Account to be financed through the proposed multi -year deficit - financing bond. AB 1765: Caltrans Project Delivery Staff- ing. Reduces the Governor's proposal for staffing by $18 million, from $147.9 million and 1,648 positions, to $129.9 million. These posi- tions provide project design, planning, and oversight support. These funds were redirected to the State Highway Account for construction projects. Consolidation of Transportation Agen- cies. The High Speed Rail Authority is respon- sible for planning the development and imple- Continued on Page 11 PAGE 10 /PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site-- www.caci ties. org