March 30, 2017
Issue #25

Editor's Note

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League Member Briefing Scheduled for April 3 on Road Repair and Accountability Act

 
Now that Gov. Jerry Brown and legislative leadership have reached an agreement on the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (SB 1), the League will be holding a member briefing via webinar on April 3. The webinar will be an opportunity for cities to learn about the details of the $52.4 billion transportation funding investment, which includes important accountability measures to ensure that the funds are spent the way they are intended. Cities will also hear about how they can get engaged to help the bills pass both houses of the Legislature. 

Revenue and Taxation, Transportation, Meetings and Events
 

Bills in Committee April 3 – 19

The legislative policy committee schedule is in full gear and the League is tracking numerous bills affecting cities. The League is working on its legislative bills of interest to cities, which will be published once available.

Hot Bills, Legislation, Assembly, Senate, Assembly, Senate


CDCR Enacts Emergency Regulations to Lower State’s Prison Population

Regulations will be in Effect for up to 180 Days

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) issued emergency regulations aiming to reduce California’s prison population to comply with Proposition 57, which voters approved in November 2016. These emergency regulations go into effect Friday, March 31 and will remain for up to 180 days. CDCR will start the formal rulemaking process during this period, including the public comment period, to make the new regulations permanent. The League board of directors voted in October 2016 to oppose Prop. 57 because of public safety concerns stemming from reducing sentences for specific crimes that — despite debates over legal definitions — are clearly violent.

Public Safety, Action Item
 

President Trump Releases “Skinny” Budget, Proposes Cuts to Major Local Programs

President Donald Trump recently released his Administration’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 “Skinny Budget” blueprint. This initial proposal provides top-level concepts. The blueprint does not address tax policy or mandatory spending nor does it include revenue projections or larger policy statements. The proposal only includes dollar-for-dollar offsets. It is important to note that this budget is merely an initial proposal. Congress must ratify these proposals and have expressed bipartisan concerns for the major cuts proposed by the Administration.

Federal
 

Proposition 64 — Regulation Under the Adult Use of Marijuana Act Webinar Scheduled for April 6

The League of California Cities® is hosting a webinar on April 6 from 10–11:30 a.m.to educate its members on various aspects of Proposition 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA).

Public Safety, Marijuana Regulation, Meetings and Events
 

Transactions and Use Taxes: Updated Report

On April 1, more than 50 new local sales taxes, which were approved by voters in November 2016, will go into effect in California. These “Transactions and Use Taxes” added on to the 7.25 percent statewide base sales and use tax rate, are now in effect in 32 counties and 176 cities and generate over $6 billion annually, mostly for countywide transportation purposes but increasingly for city general services including police fire, parks and libraries.

Municipal Finance, Revenue and Taxation
 

There’s Still Time to Submit Session Ideas for the 2017 Municipal Finance Institute

Submissions due by April 12

The League of California Cities® is now accepting session ideas for the 2017 Municipal Finance Institute, which will be held Dec. 13–14 in Newport Beach. This two-day premiere event is geared towards finance officers, city treasurers, city managers and all city staff who assist these professionals in their stewardship of public resources and focuses on current issues and timely topics that will assist officials in their daily roles and operations within their city.

Municipal Finance, Meetings and Events, Action Item
 

San Leandro Director of Engineering and Transportation Keith Cooke Recognized with Public Works Lifetime Achievement Award

The League of California Cities® Public Works Officers Department honored San Leandro Director of Engineering and Transportation Keith Cooke with the prestigious James L. Martin Award on March 24 for his significant contributions towards the public works profession. The award was presented to Cooke during the League’s Public Works Officers Institute held March 22–24 in San Diego, which is the largest gathering of municipal public works professionals in California. 

Public Works, Public Works Officers, Meetings and Events
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