Budget Conference Committee
Begins with a Thud
By Paul McIntosh, Executive Director
pmcintosh@counties.org
Three significant events late this week helped to focus on how difficult this year’s budget will be, especially for those who rely on state funds. On Thursday, the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) released its analysis of the Governor’s pre-election May Budget Revision, making several stunning recommendations for balancing the budget. Later that day, the Budget Conference Committee met for the first time to review the general budget situation, where the Department of Finance announced their own list of startling proposals. Today (Friday), the Conference Committee heard several presentations about the state’s cash condition.
None of the news was good, and the three events combined with Tuesday’s election.
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Let People Know: Make Your County Story and Voice Heard!
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.
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Administration of Justice
As counties will recall, the Governor, when signing the 17-month budget compromise in February, exercised his line-item veto authority by applying a $400 million unallocated reduction to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s (CDCR) budget.
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Agriculture and Natural Resources
SB 25, by Senator Alex Padilla, would increase the solid waste diversion mandate on local governments to 60% by January 1, 2015, with a statewide goal of 75% diversion by 2020.
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Employee Relations
On May 19, Paul McCauley gained permission from the Secretary of State’s Office to begin collecting signatures required to get the McCauley Public Pension Reform Act on the ballot.
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Government Finance and Operations
AB 311, by Assembly Member Fiona Ma, would extend by four years the sunset date for an aircraft assessment method that has been used since 2005-06.
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Health and Human Services
In early May, questions were raised about whether the federal government views the decrease in the state share of wages for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) workers as a violation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
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Housing, Land Use and Transportation
The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) released an overview of the Fiscal Year 2009-10 State Budget May Revision yesterday morning.
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Washington, D.C., Report
Energy-related issues dominated congressional activity on Capitol Hill the week of May 17 as Congress rushed to move key pieces of legislation prior to the week-long Memorial Day recess.
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