February 2, 2012
A remarkable 71 percent of cities that contract with CalPERS responded to the League's recent comprehensive pension survey. This is the second year in what has become an annual survey conducted by the League. Designed to help ascertain how cities are managing employee pensions, the survey focused on those cities that contract with CalPERS. Of California's 482 cities, the majority, 449 contract with CalPERS. The survey was sent to city managers in late December with all data collected by late January.
February 1, 2012
Last Thursday and Friday, the League's eight standing policy committees met in Sacramento to discuss legislative issues and plan for the coming year.
February 1, 2012
In 2011, the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) opened up $25 million in noncompetitive grants, funded through Proposition 1C, the Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act of 2006, for housing related parks programs. Unfortunately, HCD only awarded $8 million.
February 1, 2012
Despite the best efforts of a broad coalition of other organizations and the League to protect local economies, redevelopment agencies across the state were dissolved under AB 1x 26, effective today, leaving many unanswered legal and technical questions.
January 31, 2012
Today the Assembly Budget Committee met to review Gov. Jerry Brown's FY 2012-13 budget. Following this hearing budget items will be assigned to budget subcommittees for more detailed review. The full Assembly analysis is available online.
January 31, 2012
Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) is hosting an interested persons meeting on Thursday, Feb. 2 to solicit public comment on improvements to the conflict of interest regulations under the Political Reform Act.
January 31, 2012
oday was the deadline for each house to pass bills introduced in 2011 out of their house of origin. All two-year bills that did not pass out of their house of origin are now "dead."
January 30, 2012
Redevelopment agencies throughout California are required to shut down on Wednesday, Feb. 1 with the Legislature having chosen not to take up and pass SB 659 (Padilla). With Wednesday's pending deadline, the California Redevelopment Association (CRA) and the League have been working to inform the Legislature and the Department of Finance of the serious problems in AB 1 x 26. The concern is that the defects in the legislation may be so serious that they could impede the ability of local agencies to effectively manage public funds during the dissolution process.
January 27, 2012
On Tuesday, the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee held an informational hearing on the 2011 Statewide Transportation System Needs Assessment. Commissioned by the California Transportation Commission (CTC), the assessment was a collaboration of many agencies and organizations that participate in transportation planning in California. The report includes the needs of all modes of transportation, including highways, local streets and roads, bridges, airports, seaports, railways, and public transit.
January 27, 2012
On Jan. 17, CalRecycle approved its Mandatory Commercial Recycling Regulations. These regulations, which were previously being considered by the California Air Resources Board under AB 32, require that all local jurisdictions in California implement a commercial solid waste recycling program comprising education, outreach and monitoring of businesses. Jurisdictions are also required to report on the progress achieved in implementing its commercial recycling program. For background, please read the Oct. 21 CA Cities Advocate story "Mandatory Commercial Recycling Regulations to Now Be Adopted by CalRecycle."
January 27, 2012
Last Thursday and Friday, the League's eight standing policy committees met in Sacramento to discuss legislative issues and plan for the coming year. Close to 400 city officials participated in the meetings, which included representatives from the League's professional departments, divisions, caucuses, affiliates, and Partners.
January 26, 2012
On Wednesday, the Conference Committee on Public Employee Pensions held its third meeting, this time discussing hybrid pension plans.
January 26, 2012
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of Treasury are soliciting comments on possible standards for determining if a retirement plan is a governmental plan under section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code.
January 26, 2012
AB 1028, authored by the Assembly Committee on Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security (Committee), went into effect Jan. 1. This bill made several changes to various sections of the Government Code related to the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).
January 26, 2012
On Wednesday, the Conference Committee on Public Employee Pensions held its third meeting, this time discussing hybrid pension plans. The committee met twice last year to review the current conditions of public employee benefits and the reforms taking place locally and statewide.
January 24, 2012
Today another bond rating agency, Fitch Ratings, placed all California tax allocation bonds on Rating Watch Negative. This action underscores the importance of the Legislature enacting SB 659 (Padilla) to extend the deadline for implementation of the redevelopment agency dissolution contained in ABx1 26 from Feb. 1 to April 15, 2012.
January 20, 2012
The California Financing Coordinating Committee (CFCC) has announced its plans to host several free funding fairs to give attendees information about currently available infrastructure grant, loan and bond financing programs and options. The funding fairs also provide an opportunity for attendees to speak directly with program staff about specific projects and issues affecting their community.
January 20, 2012
City officials from throughout California travelled to Sacramento this week to attend the League's New Mayors and Council Members Academy. The annual training is designed to help city officials, new and veteran, learn about relevant city management topics and network with their colleagues.
January 20, 2012
On Wednesday, the California Supreme Court took a step toward providing California cities with some clarity on the law respecting medical marijuana dispensaries by granting review in four cases.
January 17, 2012
On Jan. 17, CalRecycle approved its Mandatory Commercial Recycling Regulations.