League of California Cities Priority Focus Editions #45 dated December 5 2008 and #46 dated December 12 2008. IN THIS ISSUE: Page 3: 2009 League Strategic Goals Board of Directors Adopts New Federal Priorities Page 4: New Board Officers Named Green California Schools Summit December 8 10 2008 Nominations Now Being Accepted for League City Managers Department Awards Page 5: 2008 Legislative Report Available Online City Advocate Weekly Replaces Priority Focus in January Find a Bill Legislators Leg Committee or Ask League Leg Staff December 5 2008 Issue #45 2008 2009 10 LEGISLATIVE SESSION CONVENED New Members Are Sworn Into Office as Governor Calls Special Session Monday was a busy day under the dome of the state capitol. At the same time that the members of the 2009 10 legislative session were being sworn into office and choosing their leadership teams Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was using his authority under Proposition 58 to announce that he was proclaiming a fiscal emergency and calling a special session of the budget. For more see Page 2. LAWSUIT FILED TO BLOCK UNCONSTITUTIONAL RAIDS OF REDEVELOPMENT FUNDS City officials will recall that the 2008 09 state budget included a one time raid of $350 million in redevelopment funds which redevelopment agencies would be required to pay in Spring 2009. The League and the California Redevelopment Association strongly opposed this raid and repeatedly warned state lawmakers and the Administration that taking redevelopment funds to balance the state s budget is unconstitutional. For more see Page 2. CITY OFFICIALS PRESENCE NEEDED AT ARB MEETING ON DEC. 11 The California Air Resources Board (ARB) will meet the morning of Thursday December 11 at 9 a.m. in Sacramento to consider approval of the AB 32 Scoping Plan and the League needs local officials to weigh in. The AB 32 Scoping Plan contains the main strategies California will use to reduce the greenhouse gases with actions that include direct regulations alternative compliance...
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