Editor's Note
For a printable copy of City Advocate Weekly (previously Priority Focus) please visit the League Web site.
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Local Governments Remain Vulnerable as Budget Vote Looms
Illegal Grab of Gas Tax, Redevelopment Funds in Play
As a budget proposal moves closer to a vote on the Senate and Assembly floors, California cities and the League continue to lobby to protect local funds from being used to close the state’s $24.3 billion budget deficit. The proposed take of local Highway User’s Taxes and redevelopment funds, which total a combined $2.750 billion over the next two fiscal years, are of paramount concern to cities. A proposal to borrow local property taxes is not currently on the table, but cities need to be on alert should this proposal re-emerge.
[FULL STORY]
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67 Cities Decry the State’s Illegal Budget Proposals and Support Legal Action to Thwart the Unconstitutional Raids of Local Funds
Less than a week after the League released a legal opinion from a prominent local law firm which concluded that the proposed seizure of almost $1.7 billion in city and county motor vehicle, or gas tax funds, to help close the state’s budget deficit is unconstitutional, 67 cities immediately passed resolutions authorizing the city attorney to cooperate with the League, other cities and counties in pursuing litigation to have any raid of local gas tax funds declared unconstitutional and invalid. There are an additional 30 cities poised to take this same action in coming weeks with many more expected.
[FULL STORY]
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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]
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CCLI Announces its 2009 Class
The League of California Cities is proud to announce the members of the California Civic Leadership Institute (CCLI) Class of 2009. This year’s class includes 28 city elected officials from throughout California who will participate in this exclusive two-part program this summer.
[FULL STORY]
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Upcoming Events
June
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 online.
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, click here or see the City Funding Book on the League’s Web site.
Upcoming League Events:
September
16-19 League of California Cities’ Annual Conference and Expo, San Jose (Registration Opens Early May)
[FULL STORY]
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