February 6, 2013
Yesterday the State Water Board discussed and approved the Phase II Small MS4 general permit.
February 4, 2013
Next Monday, Feb. 11, the Assembly Budget Subcommittee #6 on Budget Process, Oversight and Program Evaluation will hold an informational hearing on redevelopment dissolution issues per AB 26x1 and AB 1484. Representatives have been invited from the Department of Finance to provide an overview of its activities, and a representative from the State Controller’s Office. The hearing will be held at 2:30 p.m. in State Capitol Room 126.
February 4, 2013
SB 13 (Negrete McLeod), a cleanup bill to AB 340, the 2012 pension reform package, was introduced this past December and will likely be heard in the Senate Public Employment and Retirement Committee sometime in mid-February.
February 4, 2013
Tomorrow the California Supreme Court will hear oral argument in City of Riverside v. Inland Empire Patient’s Health and Wellness Center (Case No. S198638) involving the city’s ban on medical marijuana dispensaries. This closely-watched case will address the extent to which the state medical marijuana laws may pre-empt local land use and business regulation authority.
February 4, 2013
The next few weeks should be relatively busy for the League as it sorts through this year’s newly introduced bills and identifies those of interest to cities.
February 4, 2013
Next Monday, Feb. 11, the Assembly Transportation Committee will hold an informational hearing on California’s Freight Plan. The hearing will be held at 1:30 p.m. in State Capitol Room 4202.
February 1, 2013
On Monday, League Fiscal Policy Advisor Michael Coleman released his report comparing the success rates for proposed local measures requiring majority votes against those requiring a 55 percent vote and those requiring a two-thirds vote.
February 1, 2013
The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) has released its 2013 “Californians & Their Government” survey, which examines public opinion of state and federal government as well as policy trends. This is the 55th edition of PPIC’s “Californians & Their Government” series.
February 1, 2013
This week Standard & Poor’s upgraded California’s general obligation bond rating from A- to A, changing the state’s status from “stable” to “positive.” The higher rating will lower the state’s borrowing cost when it sells bonds this spring.
February 1, 2013
Earlier this month, the city of Bell presented its newly designed website, during an open meeting of the city’s council.
February 1, 2013
A healthy, productive workforce is vital to your city’s success. When you improve employee health and wellness, you’ll see less absenteeism, reduced medical risks and increased productivity.
February 1, 2013
To accelerate desired development projects and the public improvements needed to support them, developers may finance impact fees and public improvement costs associated with their projects using tax-exempt bonds.
January 28, 2013
Last week, the Board of State and Community Corrections released detailed figures for Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed augmentations to the $20 million grant for local assistance for realignment implementation allocated to cities as part of the 2012 Budget Act.
January 28, 2013
The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) is hosting a meeting in Los Angeles on Feb. 5 with California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) officials discuss the second public review draft of its environmental screen tool, CalEnviroScreen.
January 25, 2013
Last week, the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) honored the city of San Francisco for its financially innovative Kindergarten to College (K2C) program and the efforts of its Office of Financial Empowerment (OFE). League Second Vice President and San Francisco Treasurer José Cisneros played an integral role in the development of both K2C and OFE.
January 25, 2013
Due to the sudden and unfortunate passing of keynote speaker, Kimberly Alyn, the League has secured Dr. Bob Nelson, a leading expert on employee motivation, performance, engagement, recognition and rewards to speak during both the Public Works Officers Institute and Planning Commissioners Academy on Feb. 27 – March 1 in Pasadena.
January 25, 2013
This year’s Municipal Law Institute Symposium, “Local Governments Navigating the California Constitution: Rough Water and Shifting Sands,” will be held on Feb. 8 at the UC Berkeley School of Law. Attendees will earn 5.75 hours of MCLE credit.
January 25, 2013
Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Cities, HHS and the National League of Cities encourage League member cities to join Let's Move Cities Towns and Counties or renew their commitment if they joined in 2009 or 2010.
January 24, 2013
This morning Gov. Jerry Brown delivered his 2013 State of the State address touching on a number of issues including education, health care, enterprise, trade missions to China, water, climate change, CEQA, transportation and high speed rail.
January 23, 2013
Today, the House of Representatives voted 285-144 to suspend the federal debt limit of $16.4 trillion to allow the federal government to continue borrowing through May 18.