League of California Cities City Advocate Weekly Editions Issue #17 dated May 8 2009 and Issue #18 dated May 15 2009. IN THIS ISSUE: Page 5: League First Vice President Ken Cooley Leaves Board Page 6: State May be Liable for Municipal Bankruptcy Unless Cities Oppose Assembly Bill Support Bill Promoting Sustainable and Livable Communities Through Grants Page 7: Former San Leandro Mayor and League President Jack Maltester Passes Away Economic Recovery Update: Broadband Grants Available May 8 2009 Issue #17 2009 DOF s PROPOSAL BORROWS LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES TO CLOSE STATE DEFICIT Department of Finance (DOF) staff on Tuesday May 5 informed local officials that they have prepared a May Budget Revision option for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to consider that borrows 8 percent of local governments property tax revenues estimated at just over $2 billion. The League will strongly oppose any proposal that puts the funding of state government ahead of the public safety of city residents. For more see Page 2. LEAGUE S MAJOR BILL LIST Each legislative session the League tracks hundreds of bills with potential impacts to cities but focuses its lobbying on a much smaller amount of legislation with the greatest potential impact. For more see Page 2. BUDGET ACTION DAY SCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY JUNE 3 The League is holding a special event in Sacramento on June 3 following the release of the May Budget Revise to bring city officials to lobby their legislators and administration officials on possible implications of the May 19 special election results. The timing of this session is designed to allow many city officials to come in just for the day. For more see Page 5. DOF Continued from Page 1 In a statement the League released Tuesday League President and Rolling Hills Estates Mayor Judy Mitchell denounced the proposal. This proposal is irresponsible and would have disastrous and long lasting impacts. Cities are already reducing services due to the recession and can t afford to cut public s...
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