April 10, 2015
Issue #34
Editor's Note
For a PDF copy of the newsletter please visit the League's website. For more updates from the League, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Dozens of City Officials Testify in Opposition
In a hearing lasting more than two hours on Thursday, dozens of cities testified before the Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration and General Government. They traveled to Sacramento to convey their strong opposition to the Department of Finance’s (DOF) proposal to enact a comprehensive set of changes to redevelopment dissolution laws. During the hearing, committee members repeatedly expressed serious concern over DOF’s proposal and ultimately held the item. The committee’s action yesterday is similar to that of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration, which heard this proposal on March 3. That committee also left the item open.
Legislation, Hot Bills, Senate, Legislative Hearings, Redevelopment
With the Legislature’s policy committees now in full swing, the League will begin regularly updating members on upcoming hearings on bills of interest to cities. A full listing of Senate and Assembly hearings is available online. Hearing times are subject to change.
Legislation, Hot Bills, Legislative Hearings
Will the Third Time be the Charm? Hearing Scheduled for Tuesday, April 14
The League continues to work with Assembly Member Luis Alejo (D-Salinas) and a coalition of other stakeholders to restore a redevelopment tool that can be used to assist California’s most disadvantaged and poorest areas. AB 2 is the third bill introduced in this effort. It is a reintroduction of Assembly Member Alejo’s AB 2280 from 2014; an earlier version of the measure was AB 1080 (Alejo) of 2013.
Legislation, Hot Bills, Assembly, Redevelopment, Infrastructure Financing Tool
AB 185 Set for Hearing on April 21
The League supports AB 185, authored by Assembly Members Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) and Jose Medina (D-Riverside), proposing to create the California New Markets Tax Credit program. Cities are urged to support the bill. The program offers a new economic development tool that would help stimulate private sector investments into lower income communities by providing a tax incentive to qualified entities.
Legislation, Assembly, Revenue and Taxation
Join the League’s Legislative team on Thursday, April 23 from 1:30-3 p.m. for a legislative briefing to review the top priority bills that will impact local governments. League lobbyists will be sharing information on legislation affecting RDA follow-up, transportation funding, employee relations, public safety and local control.
Meetings and Events, Legislation
This story is part of an ongoing series featuring Helen Putnam Award entries. The 2014 entries are available on the League’s website as a resource for cities in a searchable database called California City Solutions. Burbank’s Mental Health Evaluation Team model was submitted in 2014 for the Public Safety award category.
CA City Solutions, Helen Putnam, Public Safety
Applications due June 5
U.S. Transportation Secretary Foxx has announced $500 million in the seventh round of TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grants. Pre-applications are due May 4 with final applications due June 5.
Transportation, Grants and Funding, Meetings and Events |
