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q,A -�3 "GUT AND AMEND" BILL THREATENS REDEVELOPMENT FUNDS It is rumored that a bill might be "gutted and amended" to expand the amount of the ERAF shift from redevelopment agencies (RDA's) to fund some additional public safety programs that the Assembly included in their version of the budget, but which were not included in the budget passed by the Senate. This action could take place at any moment so calls are urgently recom- mended. Let your legislators know: SUGGESTED KEY MESSAGES ON PROPOSED RDA CUTS • The state should finance these important county public safety programs and not use local tax funds from one local government to finance state grants to other local governments. The League opposes any additional cuts to redevelopment agenciesl Background: The Assembly's final budget package committed to restore a series of public safety programs that would cost the state a total of $40.1 million more than the Senate budget pack- age. These programs include training reimburse- ments for the Standards for Training and Correc- tions (STC) program, funding for the Rural and Small County Local Assistance program for Sheriffs, and restoration of the Multi- Jurisdictional Methamphetamine Enforcement Team (CAL - MET). The Senate has refused to support these programs without identifying funding for them. As a result, the Senate is looking to "gut and amend" a measure that would expand the RDA cuts to cover the cost of some or all of these programs. While the League of California Cities is sup- portive of restoring these programs, we feel the state should use its own money, not local money, to fund them. Call and tell your Senators and Assembly members that any additional cuts to redevel- opment revenues are unacceptable. The reduced cut of $135 million to redevelopment (v. the $250 cut in the Senate - passed version of the budget) was part of the Assembly budget deal. The Assembly needs to stand by the deal that they made. • Deeper cuts to RDA funding will put public safety programs in some cities at potential risk if their city general fund has to "backfill" their RDA shift, as some will have to do even at the $135 million cut level. • The budget deal should be honored. ANNUAL CONFERENCE from page 1 • • • 0 But it's not all ballot measure talk, all the time. City officials will also hear observations on California's fiscal condition from State Controller Steve Westly; learn about effective grassroots advocacy; laugh at humorist Mark Russell's take on California's latest claims to political fame; schmooze with their legislators at a Capitol Park reception; learn about the services and products offered to cities by more than 800 conference exhibitors; and benefit from the presentations and information sharing offered in literally dozens of well - planned conference sessions, on dozens of topics. For more information, please visit the League's website at www.cacities.orp /ac. Please note that the pre- registration period is now closed, but that city officials can register on site. For questions, contact your local Regional Representative, or Jean Korinke For more information on this and other ikorinke a(Dcacities.orc., League issues, Visit www.cacities.org Visit the League's Official Web Site- •www.cpCities.org PRIORITY FOCUS /PAGE 3