Editor's Note
For a printable copy of City Advocate Weekly (previously Priority Focus) please visit the League Web site.
|
|
Budget Conference Committee Takes Local Gas Tax For Two Years: Proposal Would Devastate City Street Maintenance and Traffic Safety
No Decision yet on Proposal to Borrow Local Property Taxes
Budget activities in the Capitol ended for the week with devastating news to local governments when the Budget Conference Committee approved taking two years of local Highway User Tax Account (HUTA) funds. This amounts to $986 million in FY 2009-10 and $750 million in FY 2010-11. The vote was party-line: Democrats "Aye", Republicans "No." The action by the Budget Conference Committee, if sustained by the legislature, will directly contradict limits placed on the legislature’s use of HUTA funds in Proposition 5 in 1974 and Prop. 2 in 1998. The action also has tremendous implications for city budgets which have relied on this stable source of revenue for important transportation projects since the 1970s. The League will be delivering the Governor and Legislature an authoritative legal opinion questioning the constitutionality of the HUTA raid.
[FULL STORY]
|
|
Participate Now in League Survey on Impact of Budget Proposals
City officials that have not done so are urged to respond to a League survey on the impact cities will experience if the state borrows 8 percent of local property tax, takes the local share of the gas tax and borrows Proposition 42 funds to balance the state budget.
[FULL STORY]
|
|
Invitation to Local Government Summit on Governance and Fiscal Reform July 17-18, Sacramento
City officials are invited to attend and participate in a historic summit meeting of city, county and school officials in Sacramento, July 17-18 at the Hyatt Regency to discuss and debate the emerging proposals to reform California’s governance and fiscal systems.
[FULL STORY]
|
|
Become a Recycling Market Development Zone
The California Integrated Waste Management Board began the 2009 cycle of its Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ) Designation Program at its March meeting. This action was taken to fill seven vacant RMDZ slots.
[FULL STORY]
|
|
Additional ARRA Funding Opportunities for Cities
The League has continued to update the “City Funding Book,” which was originally published in February to highlight funding opportunities for cities contained in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
[FULL STORY]
|
|
California I-Bank to Hold June 19 Briefing on New Bonding Option for Cities and Counties
The California Infrastructure Bank (I-Bank) is interested in working with eligible cities and counties to pool bond sales within California of Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds (RZEDBs), as authorized under the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
[FULL STORY]
|
|
Lobbying Time on Budget Issues during Sacramento Policy Committee Meetings
With budget discussions in the Capitol likely still in full gear when the League’s policy committees meet in Sacramento, June 25-26, there will be special budget briefings for committee members and opportunity to lobby.
[FULL STORY]
|
|
Court Rules for Counties in Property Tax Administration Fee Dispute
The Los Angeles County Superior Court recently ruled in favor of counties in the long-running dispute between cities and counties over the Property Tax Administration Fee (PTAF). The dispute centers over how to calculate the reimbursement a county is entitled to for its costs of administering the Triple Flip and the VLF Backfill.
[FULL STORY]
|
|
Register Now for the 2009 National Summit on Your City’s Families
City leaders are invited to attend the 2009 National Summit on Your City’s Families, Oct. 11-13, in Boston. Sponsored by the National League of Cities’ (NLC) Institute for Youth, Education, and Families, this biennial summit is the nation’s largest gathering of municipal leaders working to improve the lives of children, youth, and families.
[FULL STORY]
|
|
Upcoming Events
June
14 The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: Financing Opportunities for California’s Public Agencies. 12 – 1:15 p.m. – "How to Use Clean Renewable Energy Bonds for Financing Renewable Energy Projects on Public Lands. Please register for this and other seminars designed for state and local officials online.
15 Budget Bill must be passed by Midnight
17 The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: Financing Opportunities for California’s Public Agencies. Due date for grant applications for direct Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) through formula funding. A complete list of all cities and towns eligible for Byrne JAG formula grants is available online. To access the Byrne JAG application, click here.
19 The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: Financing Opportunities for California’s Public Agencies. All-day seminar sponsored by California I-Bank and California 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. Registration deadline: June 15 or until filled. For information and registration, go to the State Treasurer's Web site.
24 12:00 – 3:15 p.m. (Pacific Time) DOE’s "How to Use Clean Renewable Energy Bonds for Financing Renewable Energy Projects on Public Lands" Technical Assistance Project (TAP) for state and local officials sponsors Web seminars that explore state policies and analysis tools that help advance their renewable energy and energy efficiency programs. Please register for TAP Web seminars at: http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/wip/tap_webcasts.cfm
29 The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: Financing Opportunities for California’s Public Agencies. Deadline to apply for the Public Transportation Security Assistance funding. Grant funding for key high-threat urban areas to enhance security measures for their critical transit infrastructure including bus, ferry and rail systems. For more information, see the City Funding Book on the League's Web site, or click here.
Upcoming League Events:
September
16-19 League of California Cities’ Annual Conference and Expo, San Jose (Registration Opens Early May)
[FULL STORY]
|
