AgdaPkt 2005-05-23 - Laserfiche WebLink

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LEG ACTION DA VS from page 1 ð'A-// ... . ... . ... ..... ........ .... . ... . .... . Emphasizing that a long-term commitment to infrastructure was needed, he said that the state must stop raiding money designated for transpor- tation, and that the $1.3 billion in Prop 42 funds he plans to retum will help rebuild Califomia's failing infrastructure. . . "For years our infrastructure served us well - so well, that the state took much of the funding,. Gov. Schwarzenegger explained. "I'm about to change that. We need to create infrastructure to reduce gridlock and create more jobs, and we can rebuild and reform Califor- nia and bring the state back to prosperity by V\IOoong together: Key Legislators Address League Mem- bers. Assemblymember John Laird and Sens. Dick Ackerman and Tom T ortakson also delivered remarks. Following the governor's landmark announcement, Laird, chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee, ex- pressed approval, , but equally focused on the importance of balancing the state budget. The govemor warmly thanked the League and its members for their friendship and hard V\IOrK. He was greeted with a standing ova- tion from League officials, who had been pushing hard for the restoration of Prop 42 money. I \ ' '1' '~ ¿:¡iil s Governor addresses city officials at League Legislative Action Days Day on May 11. Focus on League Priorities: Housing, Infrastructure, Redevelopment. Held at the Sheraton Hotel in Sacramento, the League's two- day Legislative Action Days (LAD) began as League President Pat Eklund and Executive Director Chris McKenzie welcomed members to the event and spoke about the League's three priorities in 2005: housing, infrastructure, and protecting redevelopment dollars. In particular, the League's executive director focused on the impor- tance of "funding and fixing. Prop 42, and how important it was to work in a partnership to de- velop more housing in Califomia. Also speaking was John Shirey, the executive director of the Califomia Redevelopment Associa- tion. "It's time to let people know what is happening in redevelopment,. Shirey said. "Redevelopment provides more than 310,000 jobs annually, giving real jobs for real people, and paying real wages.. "To the extent the gover- nor moves towards our goals, thafs pleasing,. Laird said. "But we should use the surplus money to balance the entire budget. We can't go on borrowing from the future: Senate Minority Leader Ackerman was also concerned about the state's debt. "The budget went from $45 billion to over $100 billion in five years,. he reminded the audience of city officials. "We need to use the excess money for debt reduction: Sen. Tor1akson, chairman of the Senate Committee on Housing and Transportation, addressed League members on the need to improve affordable housing in the state. He spoke highly of the work done by the League's housing task force and policy committee, and applauded the League's efforts in passing Proposition 1A. Housing, however, remained foremost on his mind. "Housing is a critical challenge: Tortakson said. "How do we provide that infrastructure? It's vital for the economy, as everything is intercon- nected. We look forward to wooong with you as partners on this issue: Continued on Page 4 PAGE 2/PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the league's Official Websiteuwww.cacities.org