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° • A -� BUDGETfrom page 1 ... .. . .. ..... .... . .............. . . . . .. : . . .... . . Democratic leaders want to preserve the (See attachment "Local Government Revenue state's abiliry to take money from local govern- Protection Options" for a side-by-side summary of ment in times of state fiscal need. There are these approaches.) also a number of Democratic tegislators who appear willing to agree to constitutional protec- • The Budget Conference Committee met tions for current local revenues, but who want to on July 16 and passed a on a majority, 42 vote a preserve the state's abiliry to reallocate the future budget bill that includes $1.3 billion in property growth in those revenues. taxes shifted from local govemments to the state. It also cuts the state's $20 million booking fees Local governments oppose state reallocation reimbursement to cities by $10 million – the equiva- of their future revenues because of issues of lent of funding 200 police officers! This sends the fairness (taking money from one jurisdiction and bill to the floors of the Senate and Assembly, where giving it to another based on state priorities), but 2/3 votes are required for passage. City officials also because it would undermine their ability should call or fax their legislators to OPPOSE the achieve a predictable revenue stream for budget- booking fee hit on cities. (See "Budget Conference ing and bonding purposes. Committee Slashes Cities' Booking Fees". Visit the League's Advocacy Center at www.cacities.org/ The week saw these developments: advocacycenter for a sample letter or talking • July 9 Revised Framework. On July 9 points.) A copy of a letter by Camerino Sanchez, the LOCAL coalition proposed a compromise, President of the Califomia Police Chiefs Associa- revised framework to the Local Government tion is available on the League's website. Agreement they had negotiated with Govemor Schwarzenegger in May. It allows the state to borrow local money if certain criteria are met. • The LOCAL coalition held 5 press confer- (For details, see "July 9 Compromise Framework ences to focus attention on the need for protection for Local Government Budget Package".) of local revenues. Hundreds of city officials and their LOCAL coalition partners participated, gener- • Senate Democratic Proposal. The ating extensive media coverage. Thanks to all Senate amended SCA 9(Torlakson) to put the city officials in Fresno, San Jose, Sacra- forward a measure similar to the LOCAL mento, Los Angeles, San Diego who made coalition's revised framework with much weaker these such successful events! (See "LOCAL protections for local government. On July 14 it Press Conferences Focus on Quick Passage passed out of the Senate Constitutional Amend- of Local Government Budget Framework".) ments Committee 3-2 vote over the objections of the LOCAL coalition. The measure is set for • Governor Schwarzenegger held a press hearing in the Senate Appropriations Committee conference at a Sacramento County SherifFs on Monday, July 19. City officials should facility on July 14 in which he pledged his continued IMMEDIATELY call or fax a letter to their support for a strong constitutional measure that senators urging a NO vote on SCA 9. Visit the would protect funding for local services. He also League's Advocacy Center for talking points held a press conference in the State Capitol the or to write a sample letter — simply click next day, in which he made very strong statements "Take Action!" about his commitment to supporting local revenues from further raids by the legislature. We under- • Assembly Democratic Proposal. As- stand that over the weekend the govemor will also sembly Democrats have circulated a summary make several additional appearances in different of the constitutional protections for local govern- locations around the state, talking to voters and the ments they would support. While there is no media about the need to bring to conclusion a language to analyze, this approach appears budget that includes strong protections for local similar to SCA 9. revenues. Continued on Pagre 5 PAGE 4/PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Officiaf Web Site--www.cacities.org