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� � _ ___ �� l� SENATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE SET TO LEAD DISCUSSIONS ON - NOVEIII�ER LOCAL GOVERNMENT BALLOT MEASURES In follow-up to a February public infortnational hearing, the Senate Local GovemmeM Committee Proponents of the Herbberg measure now -under the chairtnanship of Senator Tom Todakson P!an to ask the Legislature approve the measure is set to lead a sustairted discussion in a working �r �he November ballot, rather than collect the group setting on two proposed ballot measures for �ater signffiures to qualify the measure. The November of this year that would each take a very deadline for legislative approval is later (mid- different approach toward the many problems summer) than the mid-April deadline for an facing local govemment finance. Other Senators initlative effort. involved in the working group inGude Senators Johnson, Ducheny, McPherson and Ackertnan. The �Nhile the Hertrberg effort seeks to change League, CSAC and the Special Districts Associa- �e basic structure of local govemment, the tion have been invited to participate in the discus- LOCAL initiative merely spells out that no legisla- sion. tive ad may reduce or atter local funds (property and sales taxes or vehicle license fees) without Of primary concem to the League and its voter approval – thus estabiishing the conditions coalition members, CSAC and the Special Districts under which change or refortn will take place. Association, is the Local Taxpayer and Public Safely Protection Act (the "LOCAL Initlative'� The League has reviewed each of the many sponsored by the three organizatlons, which enjoys drafts of the Hertzberg proposal. We have found a heaRhy and growing list of supporting organ¢a- �e measure W be riddled with problems, and tions. It contains lwo essential components. First, it language that contradicts the proposal's stated requires a vote of the electorete to approve any intent. For these reasons, the League has raised action by the legislature that would reduce or shift questions about the proposal and the Goistered — local govemment sales, properry or vehicle license atmosphere that surrounded its development. fee revenues to pay for state services. Second, the measure strengthens the state mandate laws to In a preliminary meeting with interested ensure the state lives up to its obligation to fund �e9islators to set the stage for the Senate Local state-imposed mandates on local govemment. Govemment Committee discussions, the League signaled its clear intent to oppose any legislafi�e Petitions are now in circulation to gather the attempt to place what would be a competing signatures needed qualify the measure for the measure to the LOCAL initiative on the November November ballot. The deadline for tuming petitions 2004 ballot. The Hertzberg measure would into county elections officials is around mid-April of Gearty compete with the LOCAL measure and this year. The signature-gathering effort is on target likely confuse voters, reising concems about and is expected to resutt in qual�cation by the either measure passing. The League also voiced deadline. its consent to participate in the discussions as long as the goal was to place a reform measure Former Speaker of the Assembly Bob on a future ballot. Hertzberg is the sponsor of the second measure, which takes quite another approach to local govem- The League will keep you closely informed of ment finance. The heart of the proposal is a tax the progress or any meaningful developments in swap that shifts Y: cent of the local Bradley-Bums these discussions. These discussions promise sales tax to the state along with the remainder of to be at least time consuming 'rf not productive. vehicle license fee revenues. The loss to tocal govemment as a result of that shift is backfilled with an equal amount of property tax from the schools. Schools are then kept whole by the state general fund. PAGE 6/PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site--www.cacities.org