Representing
cities, counties and special districts around the state, Leave
Our Community Assets Local (LOCAL) launched a preemptive strike
June 18 by holding news conferences in eight major cities throughout
California, including Sacramento, and demanding that the Legislature
squash an unofficial proposal to take up to $1.16 billion each
year away from cities, counties and special districts. ACWA supports
LOCAL through the California Special
Districts Association (CSDA). Though there has been much talk
about this rumored proposal, it has not yet been introduced in
bill form and no legislator has come forward to claim ownership
of the proposal.
Local leaders, including
Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo, as well as the city's police and
fire chiefs, said that permanent cuts of this magnitude - which
are in addition to the more than $5 billion each year already being
sent by locals to the state - would indefinitely harm Sacramento
County residents through the loss of vital services.
News conferences
also were held in Oakland, San Diego, Merced, Bakersfield, Salinas,
Palm Springs and San Luis Obispo.
In a keynote
speech at the ACWA Region 8 Legislative Luncheon June 13, Assemblyman
Keith Richman (R-Northridge) briefed members on the current budget
crisis facing California. While outlining possible sources of revenue
for the state budget, Richman warned local government agencies of
rumors that the Legislature will ask for $1.1 billion to $1.2 billion
from cities, counties and special districts. He said he expects
cities will be asked to cover $500 million, counties to cover $500
million and special districts to cover $200 million.
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