Tax Swap Changes the Architecture of Transportation
By Paul McIntosh, Executive Director
pmcintosh@counties.org
Yesterday, the State Legislature offered an alternative to the Governor’s tax swap proposal that is seen as a “divorce” from the General Fund. This alternative, while providing General Fund relief, also restores transportation funding levels both today and into the future.
In recent years, with the ever-declining economy, all state transportation revenue streams, and, in particular, local gas taxes or HUTA (Highway User Tax Account), have come under attack in order to provide relief to the General Fund for highway and transit-related debt service for a number of various bonds. The Governor’s transportation tax swap proposed in his January budget was a further effort to provide General Fund relief, and also resulted in an overall reduction in the State’s investment for transportation across all modes.
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County Officials Participate in Williamson Act Oversight Hearing
On Wednesday, March 3, county officials addressed the Senate Local Government Committee at an oversight hearing on the Williamson Act. After opening remarks and presentations, a panel of county officials spoke before the committee, including Fresno County Supervisor Judy Case, San Benito County Administrative Officer Susan Thompson, and Kern County Planning Director Ted James.
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Administration of Justice
The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 4 — with jurisdiction over corrections issues, among others — met on Thursday, March 4.
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Agriculture and Natural Resources
AB 1886, by Assembly Member Yamada, would require the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to prepare and submit a detailed report annually to the Legislature that describes actions taken to reduce reliance on the Delta water supplies.
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Employee Relations
Please find the latest version of CSAC’s Employee Relations Legislative Bulletin here.
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Government Finance and Operations
AB 1671, by Assembly Member Kevin Jeffries, would authorize the remaining supervisors to appoint replacements when vacancies arise on their boards.
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Health and Human Services
Several courts handed down decisions this week that impact human services budget solutions enacted by the state over the last two years. Below is a brief description of each issue.
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Housing, Land Use and Transportation
The Legislature passed a final transportation tax swap package (ABX8 6 and ABX8 9) yesterday, which has been amended in a number of ways to encourage the Governor’s signature. Due to the ever-evolving nature of this proposal since January, the following is a full summary of the entire transportation tax swap package, as well as the most recent changes implemented today.
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