AgdaPkt 2004-01-05 - Laserfiche WebLink

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8.A-10 VLF from page 1 ................................................... The Governor's action was greeted with great have to take action on his own. In response to enthusiasm by the many city and county officials reporters' questions he expressed confidence in on hand for the announcement, including League the judgment of his attorneys and those of the President Ron Loveridge, who spoke at the Controller that the action was fully lawful. .. news conferonoe immediately following Controller VVestly. He expressed appreciation to the Gover- Following the Governor's noon press confer- nor on behalf of the 478 cities of the state, stating: ence, Senate President Pro Tem ~John Burton held "VVe thank the Governor for keeping his promises his own press conference to respond to the to restore the backfill payments. We thank him for Governor. Senator Burton indicated his doubt that his leadership, for recognizing the importance of the Governor could act unilaterally in the manner preserving funding for police, fire and other much outlined at the noon press conference. He said needed local services in this groat state." that he had no plans to challenge the Governor's proposed action, but thought that other interested Also commenting were Anaheim M~yor Curt groups might make a legal challenge. Pringle, Los Angeles Mayor Jim Hahn, Oak- land Mayor Jerry Brown, CSAC President and Burton indicated he plans to take money from Calaveras County Supervisor Paul Stein, local government in the upcoming budget debates, California Police Chiefs Association President saying that the state always takes money from and Arroyo Grande Police Chief Rick local government when thero is a downturn in the Terborch, L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca, and economy. He also emphatically said that the full California Sheriffs Association President Senate would not return before its already sched- Sheriff Bruce Mix. The speakers all applauded uled retum in January. the action by the Governor and the cooperation of the Controller. Sacramento Mayor Heather In a meeting the day before with Senator Fargo and Davis Fire Chief Rose Conroy, Burton, Chris McKenzie, League Executive Direc- League Fire Chiefs Department President, tor, was told by the Senator that he was commit- also appeared on stage in support of the ted to action on the VLF backfill by the end of Governor's announcement. January-but not before the legislature had seen the entire budget proposal by the Governor. He The Department of Finance estimates that the indicated he would not commit to full funding of the amount necessary to backfill cities and counties VLF until after he had seen the entire budget. for the remainder of the fiscal year is $2.652 billion. Full details on the estimates aro not yet available, but both the Governor and the Director of Finance said that it was their intent to backfill local governments for the full amount of the VLF owed to cities and counties in accordance with state law. In making his announcement the Governor recounted the recent history of his campaign commitments to both reverse the increase in the VLF and to backfill cities and counties. He indi- cated he was committed to abiding by both com- mitments and he had hoped the legislature would For more information on this and other cooperate in accomplishing that goal. When the League issues, visit www.cacities.org. legislature adjourned for the holidays without completing the job, he said, he decided he would PAGE 2/PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site--www.cacities.org