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�.A� _ D.C. UPDATE from page 7 ... .. . ... .... ... ... ... .... ... ...... . ... ... . per capita basis, which results in the states with lower populations receiving a larger amount of Tt�e Lesgue and the California Assocla- homeland security funding. The House is ex- tiOn Of Countles'�CSAC) se�tt the fiollow- pected to pass H. R. 10 before they leave for ing memo alert on Thursday, Dctober 7 , adjournment. 2004#o the Califomta Appropriations The Senate, led by Governmental Affairs Committee of#ices opposing Chairman Chair Susan Collins, has also sought to alter the Sensenbrenner's Intemettax arr�end homeland security grant formula and process in me�t their version of the 9/11 legislation, S. 2845, which passed in the Senate on October 6. The MEMORANDUM Senate bill, which incorporated Senator Collins' amendment, would direct the first 10% of total TO: Appropriations Lecjistative funding for homeland security first-responder Assistants grants to high-threat urban areas. The remaining 90% of the money would be distributed based on FROM: League of Califomia Cities the threat of terrorism, with each state guaran- Califomia State Assoc�ation of teed 0.75% of the total. Counties The League has concerns with Senator DA�: �� 7, � Collins' revised homeland security formula and its impact on funding for Califomia. The League �' HO►��d Sea�rrtyAppropriat� ' expressed in a letter to our California Senators CO � e �" ° � last week that "the League is concerned with the (Collins) amendment's overly broad distribution O000se attem�t by Renresentative criteria for the State Homeland Security Grant Sensenbrenner to Incl�de orovisions that wo�ld sianificantiv imnact Califomia cities and co�ntiea' program that seem to focus less on risk and existing revenues. threat and more on qualifying as many states as possible". We understand that House Judiaary Committee Chairman Sensenbrenner is attempting to add a BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE provision to the Homeland Security Appropriations (BRAC) Conference Report that would unravel a hard won compromise on Intemet acoess taxes that was `' On October 7, the House and Senate confer- reached in the Senate last spring with the passage of ence on the FY 2005 Defense Au t horization bill, S• 1 5 0, t he " Intemet Tax Non-Discximination Act of : H.R. 4200, concluded negotiations. Conferees 2 ��• decided to remove language that would have postponed by two years a new round of military Chairtnan Sensenbrenners amendment would base closures. The White House had threatened d'►ange the language that was added to S. 150 to to veto the bill if the base closing delay was in the Protect existing local telec:ommmunications revenues in final version. H.R. 4200 is expected to pass such a way that cities and oounbes across Califomia before Congress adjourns. would likely lose the ability to continue levying these badly needed resources. This would come at a time For the latest updates on Congress visit the �e" �es and counties in Califomia are struggling to League's Federal Issues Page or contact League provide essential services, induding basic security to Policy Analyst Genevieve Morelos at p�Ot� the residents. QmorelosCa�cacities orcy We urge you to contad your colleagues on the < Conference Committee to oppose this effort. Visit the League's Official Web Site -- www.cacities.org PRIORITY FOCUS/PAGE 8