Editor's Note
For a printable copy of City Advocate Weekly (previously Priority Focus) please visit the League Web site.
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Budget Process Moves Forward
Following the defeat of Propositions 1A-E on Tuesday, the Legislature began in earnest to hammer out a plan to address the state’s monumental $21 billion deficit which the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) now projects is over $24 billion. President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) held a joint news conference on May 19 on the budget and the state’s cash flow crisis. The Democratic leaders said that they intend to resolve the budget before the start of the new fiscal year on July 1 and announced the Budget Conference Committee’s upcoming schedule.
[FULL STORY]
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Voters Reject Borrowing to Bail State Out of Budget Mismanagement
Defeat of Props. 1A-E Makes it Clear that Borrowing Local Government Revenues is an Unacceptable State Budget Solution
Rejecting the budget fixes put forth by state lawmakers in February with the defeat of Propositions 1A-E Tuesday, voters sent state lawmakers a resounding message: it’s time for the state to deal with its fiscal problems once and for all. The League of California Cities urges the Legislature to heed the voters’ message and focus on fixing its finances without taking local government revenues so that cities can provide the vital public safety and other services on which city residents rely day in and day out. Bailing the state out of its lack of fiscal discipline is bad public policy.
[FULL STORY]
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Close to 100 California Cities Declare State of Severe Fiscal Hardship
Dozens More Expected to Follow
Since May 11, 96 California cities have declared a state of severe fiscal hardship and opposed a proposal to take local property tax revenues to finance the state budget. Cities are already struggling to balance their own budgets: enacting drastic cuts including public safety reductions, employee layoffs, hiring freezes, project delays, program reductions and more.
[FULL STORY]
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Plan to Attend Budget Action Day on Wednesday, June 3
The League is holding a special event in Sacramento on June 3 to bring city officials to lobby their legislators and administration officials on the implications of the May 19 special election. The timing of this session is designed to allow many city officials to come in just for the day.
[FULL STORY]
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Local Voters Say “Yes” to Some New Taxes
In addition to the statewide propositions on the ballot on May 19, there were a dozen local measures, including eight affecting local taxes. Half of the tax measures passed.
[FULL STORY]
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Retention Proceeds Legislation Moving Swiftly
League Opposed to AB 396 and SB 802
AB 396 (Fuentes) and SB 802 (Leno) both contain provisions which would require that contract retention proceeds not exceed five percent of the payment of all contracts entered into after January 2010, between a public entity and an original contractor, between an original contractor and a subcontractor, and between all subcontractors. This bill removes the authority of public entities to decide the appropriate amount of retention.
[FULL STORY]
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Federal Stimulus Funds Bolster 2009 Summer Youth Employment Programs
Local Workforce Investment Areas (LWIAs) throughout California will be able to offer expanded job training programs to young people this summer, as a result of the federal stimulus legislation enacted in February.
[FULL STORY]
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Registration Open for the 2009 League Annual Conference
It’s time to register for the 2009 League Annual Conference. Scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 16 – Friday, Sept. 18 at the San Jose Convention Center, the conference theme is “Strong Cities, Strong State, Strong Nation.” A full program announcement has been mailed to all cities and is also available on the League’s Web site.
[FULL STORY]
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State Water Board Annual Stakeholder Meeting Scheduled June 5
The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) will hold its annual water quality fee stakeholder meeting on Friday, June 5. SWRCB is responsible for coordination and control of water quality in the state.
[FULL STORY]
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Department of Energy Webcast on Solar Panel Financing Set for May 27
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Technical Assistance Project (TAP) for state and local officials is offering a webcast on how to structure power purchase agreements for photovoltaic (PV) projects at state and local facilities. The presentation will take place Wednesday, May 27, from 12 - 1:15 p.m. Pacific Time, and is titled "Third-Party Financing and Power Purchase Agreements for Public Sector PV Projects."
[FULL STORY]
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CitiPAC Fundraising Continues Despite Challenging Economy
Since 2004, CitiPAC has been and important tool in the League of California Cities’ political advocacy efforts. CitiPAC funds have been central to many of the League’s ballot measure campaigns, such as the recent fight to defeat Proposition 98 and its restrictions on local control of zoning and redevelopment. These funds have been raised exclusively through the efforts of city officials across the state that participate in regional fundraising events throughout the year.
[FULL STORY]
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Coming Soon! Visit the New and Improved WesternCity.com
We've Made Our Site Better to Serve You Better
- New Web exclusive articles
- Improved search engine means finding what you want in a snap
- Read the latest issue or look up an article by topic
Exciting New and Improved Job Opportunity Database
- Searching for jobs has never been easier
- Create your own job listing and update it at any time. You're in control of your listing 24/7
- Get a Web site traffic report for your job listing
New Online Advertising Opportunities
- Sponsorships and online campaigns custom-made for your advertising needs
- With over 60,000 page views, your online ad will expand your reach to a new audience every day
- E-mail admanager@westerncity.com for more information.
Check out the new and improved www.WesternCity.com this July!
[FULL STORY]
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Upcoming Events
May
21 California Department of Water Resources Regional Workshop: Delta Area of Interest - Antioch.
The draft workshop agenda is available online at the State Water Resources Web site.
26 The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: The Summer Youth Employment Program - 12:00-1:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Participants should pre-register at the NLC TV Web site and have the free Windows Media Player installed prior to the event. Online participants may submit email questions during the webcast at the link provided on the webcast event page at www.nlctv.org. (For more information see the section on Summer Youth Employment Program in the League’s City Funding Book on the League Web site.)
28 California Department of Water Resources Regional Workshop: North Coast Region (proposed) - Yreka.
The draft workshop agenda is available online at the State Water Resources Web site.
29 Last day for fiscal committees to hear and report
June
1 The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: Capital Fund Recovery Competition Grants. The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will begin accepting applications from public housing authorities for $1 billion available from this program. Applications for grants in the Energy Efficiency category are due by July 21. Applications for the other three categories are due by August 18. (For more information see the section on Public Housing Capital Fund in the League’s City Funding Book on the League Web site.)
5 Last day for Assembly to pass Assembly bills
15 Budget Bill must be passed by Midnight
19 The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: Financing Opportunities for California’s Public Agencies. All-day seminar sponsored by CA I-Bank and CA Debt Investment and Advisory Commission. Information for public agencies on accessing the “recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds”, a new type of financing vehicle for infrastructure, job training and other projects authorized by the federal stimulus legislation. For information and registration, go to the State Treasurer's Web site.
Upcoming League Events:
May
27-30 Mayors and Council Members Executive Forum, San Diego
June
3 Budget Action Day, Sacramento
[FULL STORY]
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