Aug. 10, 2012
Issue #84

Editor's Note

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The League and City Officials Respond to Inaccurate Los Angeles Times Editorial on Fiscal Viability of New Cities

The responses to the editorial address how the Los Angeles Times did not correctly understand the particular dependence of new cities on the constitutionally-protected VLF due to the Legislature’s own discriminatory provisions in the 2004 VLF – Property Tax swap. 

Key words: Revenue and Taxation, Transportation

League of California Cities’ 2012 Major Bill List – Aug. 10, 2012

The League revised its major bills list this week. The following list represents the bills that League staff is following closely. With only about three weeks left until the end of the end of session, city officials should watch for action alerts on priority bills.

Key words: Legislation, Hot Bills

League to Host Free End of Session Sign/Veto Webinar

With the Legislative session ending on Aug. 31, the League plans to host a free webinar on Thursday, Aug. 23 for members and partners to review the top priority bills for which cities should send signature or veto letters to Gov. Jerry Brown. This will be the final opportunity for city officials to voice their support and opposition to their legislators on key bills. 

Key words: Meetings and Events, Legislation

New Solar Permitting Guide Available

The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) has been working to remove barriers that constrain the expansion of small-scale renewables, as California strives to meet its goal of 12,000 megawatts of small-scale renewable energy. The California Solar Permitting Guidebook is the first-of-its-kind guide that present valuable guidance and information on solar permitting. 

Key words: Environmental Quality

ILG Releases New Publication on SB 375

The Institute for Local Government (ILG) has released its newest publication, “Understanding SB 375: Opportunities to Engage the Public in Regional Planning.”

Key words: Environmental Quality

City of Palm Desert Rallies Cities to Comment on Proposed Federal Regulations on PACE Program

Comments Due by Sept. 13

The deadline to comment on underwriting standards for the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and Federal Home one Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) relating to mortgage assets affected by Property Assessed Clean Energy Programs (PACE) has been extended from June 30 to Sept. 13. Palm Desert Mayor Robert Spiegel is urging cities from across the nation to submit comments on behalf of their communities so that local governments can continue to use this tool to encourage energy independence and environmental sustainability.

Key words: Action Item, Housing

10 Questions to Ask Before Installing Solar and More — Now in Western City Magazine

Don’t miss these articles in the August issue of Western City.

Key words: Western City, Infrastructure, Public Works, Technology, Legislation

Former League Associate Counsel Lew Keller Dies

Former League Associate Counsel Lew Keller passed away on Aug. 2 at the age of 93. Keller joined the League in the late 1940s and left the League in August 1962.