With the many developments at the Capitol this week, it is clear the CSAC Legislative Conference agenda will be full and advocacy will be a critical part of what is accomplished at the event next week.
It cannot be stressed enough – your state representatives in the Legislature and the Administration must hear from counties about how the many proposals on the table will affect our ability to provide services and meet the needs of our constituents. CSAC strongly urges conference attendees to schedule meetings with your legislative delegations, if you have not already. Those who are unable to attend the Legislative Conference are encouraged to make direct contact with their legislative representatives –- by phone, email or an in-person visit – and explain the many challenges your county is already facing and how the latest drastic measures would further cripple your ability to provide vital services.
CSAC is providing conference attendees several opportunities to make their voices heard:
· Attend and testify at budget conference committee hearings, tentatively scheduled for next week.
· Participate in the press conference Wednesday, May 27, at noon in the Sacramento Convention Center West Lobby. We’re asking county supervisors to participate in the press conference by gathering behind our main speakers and showing the collaboration among counties to protect local services and our constituents. Help us get the word out that counties are strapped by their own budget deficits and cannot withstand a state raid of Proposition 1A and prolonged periods of delayed payments. We need the state and Legislature to know they need to be responsible partners.
· Take a few minutes to share on video the budget challenges your county is facing. What difficult decisions have you had to make? How do you explain those tough choices to your constituents? The goal is to gather dozens of testimonials to share with the Legislature and Administration.
· Attend policy committee meetings and hear the latest on how the Administration’s and Legislative Analyst’s proposals will affect county programs.
This budget process will be intense, and many drastic and difficult decisions will need to be made. Inevitably, there will be much to dislike in whatever solution is eventually reached. But the Legislature must make decisions with an understanding of the consequences of their actions. The county voice must be heard, and counties need to fight to protect our services and the people we serve.
California Counties: 38 Million Served, Billion$ at Risk.
