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1.A,(; LEAGUE HOUSING GOALS FOR 2004 Many challenges await local governments on ciple of local land use authority in an increas- the land use/housing front for the 2004 legisla- ingly challenging legislative environment. tive year. While 2004 promises to be domi- . Continuing to support the work of the nated by budget debates, ballot initiatives, and League's Housing Opportunity Task Force, election-year politics, the perennial debates over which included recommendation to allow com- housing and land use issues will continue to munities producing affordable housing to self- simmer. Land use disputes are unavoidable certify local housing elements. with the state population growth, fed by births and immigration, continuing to increase at an . Seeking solutions to streamline CEQA annual rate of nearly 600,000 people -the reviews for housing and infill developments equivalent of adding an additional Fresno through a League-led task force on CEQA, (448,000), plus a Pasadena (142,000), each which includes both business and environmen- year. tal groups. Local officials facing infrastructure, service delivery, and affordable housing challenges can expect little additional assistance from the state or (ederallevels. The Governor's 2004 budget proposes cuts to local transportation funds, EPA ACCEPTING ENTRIES FOR 2004 redevelopment projects and property tax dollars. Whatever the budget solutions for 2004, the ENVI RONMENT AL AWARDS PROGRAM state will be digging out of its fiscal hole for years to come. Little help can be expected from Nominations are now being accepted the federal level either, given the size of the for the Environmental Protection Agency's federal deficit. 2004 Awards Program, sponsored by the Expect to see legislation that attempts to EPA's ninth region. The awards program, now in it's sixth year, seeks to recognize respond to the housing issue by removing local individuals and organizations making authority. The paradox is that often the same significant contributions to improving the legislators who call out for more housing, also environment. Past winners have included vote for measures to reduce local revenues - scientists, teachers, public officials and used to provide services and infrastructure for youths. housing - or that restrict development on farmland, open space, and in other areas. Nominations must be received no later These measures typically require only a simple than February 20, 2004. Applications can majority vote in the Legislature. Consequently, be obtained online at www.epa.gov/re- local officials must be ever-vigilant about pro- gion09/awards or by calling (866) EPA- tecting their local land use authority. WEST. Applications call for the environ- For 2004, the League will be active on mental accomplishments and highlights of the nominee to be described in narrative the housing and land use issues in the form, supported by evidence of the of the following areas: effectiveness of the nominee's efforts. . Protecting local revenues though support Winners will be selected from nominations submitted throughout the EPA's region 9, of the League's ballot measure in November, covering California, Nevada, Arizona, 2004. Hawaii, Pacific Islands and Pacific South- west tribal lands. . Continuing to vigorously defend the prin- PAGE 2/PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site..www.cacities.org