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| May 1, 2015 Issue #43 Editor's NoteFor a PDF copy of the newsletter please visit the League's website. For more updates from the League, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.Legislative Action Day Brings Hundreds of City Officials to the Capitol to Advocate for City PrioritiesAttendees Briefed on Transportation, Housing, Economic Development and Other ProposalsThe League’s annual Legislative Action day started on Wednesday morning with a policy update for the assembled city officials on the major pending issues affecting cities. League President and Scotts Valley Council Member Stephany Aguilar welcomed the delegates and thanked them for their commitment to their city and for making the trip to Sacramento for this important event.Meetings and Events, Legislation, Hot Bills Summit Brings Together Environmental Experts, Public Safety and State Officials to Discuss the Impact of California’s Illegal Marijuana Grow SitesIllegal Growing Uses Significant Water, Pollutes WatershedsRoom 127 in the Capitol was filled to capacity on Wednesday as legislators and their staff attended an almost two-hour discussion on the dangers of illegal marijuana growing in California. These dangers comprise the environmental effects and public safety threats that result from these operations. The event came about from a resolution on this issue passed by the League General Assembly passed in 2014 calling for collective action between stakeholders including the state, local governments and environmental organizations, to address these effects.Meetings and Events, Public Safety, Environmental Quality A New Arrow in the Quiver: League Rolls-Out New Mobile App to Connect City Officials Instantly with LegislatorsCity Officials Can Join Exclusive League Advocacy TeamOn Wednesday during Legislative Action Day, the League rolled-out a new advocacy tool that will enable city officials to play an active role in shaping state policy. This new advocacy app will help the League mobilize our city officials to quickly advocate as a united voice on key city-related pieces of legislation. The app will push out action alerts and enable users to take direct action right from their mobile devices.Legislation, Technology Assembly Speaker’s Affordable Housing Bill Passes Its First CommitteeWould Establish Permanent Source of Affordable Housing FundingWith the loss of redevelopment and the exhaustion of past state affordable housing bond funds, California has virtually no resources to construct affordable housing. Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) has taken the lead in assembling a package to begin to fill the gaps in necessary funding.Affordable Housing, Housing, Assembly, Legislation Bills in Committee: May 4-8Earlier this week, the League released an updated 2015 Hot and Priority Bill list of interest to cities. Many of these bills were heard in committee hearings this week as the League welcomed hundreds of city officials to Sacramento for its annual Legislative Action Day on April 29.Legislation, Hot Bills, Senate, Assembly U.S. Department of Transportation Releases Long-Anticipated Regulations for Rail Cars Transporting Hazardous MaterialsLeague Will Review RegulationsStakeholders concerned with the dangers of the transportation of oil and other flammable materials by rail are busily studying new regulations released today by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Upwards of 155,000 tank cars in the U.S. will need to be retrofitted or replaced under the rule. The goal is to decrease the likelihood of accidents and improve response when accidents occur. The regulations would apply to high-hazard flammable trains, which are “a continuous block of 20 or more tank cars loaded with a flammable liquid or 35 or more cars loaded with a flammable liquid dispersed through a train.”Public Safety, Transportation, Federal GASB 68 Implementation Guide Now AvailableThe Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) issued Statement No. 68, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Pensions, which affects the financial statements of employers for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2014. GASB 68 substantially changes the accounting and financial reporting of pensions for CalPERS and CalPERS employers.Municipal Finance, Financial Solutions for CA Cities California City Solutions: Beverly Hills Develops Civic Engagement Program to Build Trust and EngagementThis story is part of an ongoing series featuring Helen Putnam Award entries. The 2014 entries are available on the League’s website as a resource for cities in a searchable database called California City Solutions. TEAM Beverly Hills was submitted in 2014 for the Enhancing Public Trust, Ethics, and Community Involvement award category.Helen Putnam, CA City Solutions, Open Government Juvenile Accountability Block Grants Funding Availability AnnouncementMay 29 Application DeadlineThe Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) recently announced a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Juvenile Accountability Block Grants (JABG) funding availability for FY 2015-16.Grants and Funding, Public Safety Join NLC’s Big Ideas for Cities in Los Angeles or Via WebcastBig Ideas for Cities is coming to Los Angeles on May 8. Co-hosted by the National League of Cities (NLC) and the city of Los Angeles, the event offers a chance to convene for an interactive dialogue with mayors who are deeply committed to moving our country forward by taking bold steps at the local level.NLC, Mayors and Council Members |
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