04-19-2011 - AB 1234 - Legislative Advocacy Conference and Meet - Item 8 (2).doc City of West Covina
Memorandum
A G E N D A
ITEM NO. 8
DATE April 19, 2011
TO: Andrew G. Pasmant, City Manager
and City Council
FROM: Chris Freeland, Deputy City Manager
SUBJECT: AB 1234 - LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY CONFERENCE AND MEETING REPORT
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council receive and file the report.
DISCUSSION:
The following is a summary of the Legislative Advocacy Meeting held March 29-30, 2011 in Sacramento, California, that was attended by Mayor Pro Tem Michael Touhey and Councilmember Karin
Armbrust.
The purpose of this meeting was to receive a legislative update from the City of West Covina’s legislative advocate Joe A. Gonsalves & Son. The briefing included an update on the State
budget crisis, status of the State’s efforts to eliminate redevelopment agencies, Governor Brown’s proposal to get voter approval for tax measures on the June ballot, pension reform,
legislation to address and prevent similar abuses committed by the City of Bell, and other relevant State of California matters. The briefing included discussions with California State
Senator Ed Hernandez, California State Senator Bob Huff, and California State Assemblymember Isadore Hall.
Discussion on the State budget included the Governor’s signature on $11.2 billion cuts in services to bridge the anticipated $26.6 billion State deficit. The remainder of the Governor’s
budget plan includes the extension of $12 billion in tax extensions that are set to expire, which he wanted to place on the June ballot, but has since reconsidered. It is anticipated
that the Governor may seek to place the tax measures on the November ballot.
The other major discussion was on the California Redevelopment Association (CRA) and other stakeholder efforts to prevent the Governor from eliminating redevelopment agencies. The CRA,
League of California Cities, and municipalities believe the Governor's plan is unconstitutional, but is making efforts to protect cities. Their plan, which has been presented to the
legislature, would allow redevelopment agencies to extend the life spans of their project areas if they voluntarily contribute funding to local schools. The details of the CRA plan
are available on the CRA and the League of California Cities websites. At the time of this report, the legislature and the Governor have suspended legislation to eliminate redevelopment
agencies until later this year.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
Prepared by:
Chris Freeland
Deputy City Manager