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In This Issue...
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Opinions
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Santa Cruz County Adopts 2010 Legislative Priorities
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Santa Cruz County Adopts 2010 Legislative Priorities
By County Supervisor Ellen Pirie
Each year the Board of Supervisors adopts a legislative agenda that describes the Board's priorities for the upcoming legislative sessions.
This agenda becomes the framework for legislative advocacy on both the federal and state levels. I would like to highlight some of the priorities for Santa Cruz County in 2010.
Priorities for 2010
Santa Cruz County, like all local governments in the state, has been hit hard by the state's recent budgetary and economic difficulties.
Although local governments suffer from the same economic downturns that affect the state, we face additional problems caused by the state. The state's continuing cash crisis has been pushed to local governments in the form of stalled construction projects and deferred payments for infrastructure, health services and public aid programs.
Moreover, we must manage these challenges with less revenue, while the state borrows or appropriates local funds.
The California legislative analyst estimates that the State's budget problem totals $20.7 billion this year, with operating deficits after 2010-11 of about $20 billion each year.
Given these prospects and past practice, it is sensible that the county's highest legislative priority for 2010 is to protect our local revenues from appropriation by the state, prevent more imposition of state mandates, and provide safeguards for programs delivered by local governments on behalf of the state. We are also seeking long-term state budgetary reform.
State Budgetary Reform Principles
Santa Cruz County has joined with the California State Association of Counties in promoting certain principles that we believe should be incorporated into any state budget reform platform. These principles are to protect the health and safety of Californians, to seek long-term budget solutions, and to rebuild the economy.
Several statewide bi-partisan groups are working on various legislative and budgetary reforms. A group called California Forward is focused on broad reforms to state and local finance, governance and budgeting.
The group's efforts are focused in the Legislature, as opposed to amending the state constitution. However, they have committed to go directly to the initiative process if outcomes are not achieved in the legislative process.
The leadership of California Forward includes Fred Keeley, the county treasurer-tax collector, and Bruce McPherson, former California secretary of state.
Repair California is another entity interested in political reform. Repair California is focused on convening a constitutional convention to make "sweeping, holistic changes to our state government and wrestle our state back from special interests."
This group has proposed two ballot measures. One measure authorizes citizens to call for a constitutional convention and the other calls for the convention and sets the process. The group is now gathering signatures which will be submitted for the November 2010 election.
If approved by voters, the convention would be held in 2011 and the reforms would be placed on the next statewide ballot.
Among the specific legislative proposals submitted by the county are the following categories.
Preserving Redevelopment Funding
To balance its budget, the state has raided redevelopment funds, which provide funds for local economic revitalization, affordable housing and infrastructure improvements.
Last year the state transferred more than $2.05 billion from agencies across California, including $13 million designated for the Santa Cruz County Redevelopment Agency.
We are seeking legislative support to preserve redevelopment funding that is critical to Santa Cruz County.
Transportation and Infrastructure Improvements
Because the California Transportation Commission has made local road rehabilitation projects a very low priority in recent years, we are requesting legislation that would enable local agencies to have more oversight on how State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) funds can be allocated.
The county is also requesting legislative action to lower the current requirements for two-thirds voter approval to 55 percent approval for imposition of a sales tax for road infrastructure improvements. Although there is generally strong public support for local road improvements, it has proven very difficult to get a two-thirds vote for special taxes for any purpose. This proposal would provide for majority-plus voter approval.
A third request is for legislation that would protect state gas tax revenue from being redirected to the state general fund. The county receives about $5 million in gas tax revenues that are used for road maintenance. We are very concerned that the gas tax could once again be diverted to plug holes in the state budget.
Voting Precincts and All Mail Ballot Elections
The county is seeking legislation to streamline the number of voting precincts, which in turn would reduce election costs.
At the same time, in light of the extreme difficulty in complying with voting equipment requirements and the need for accessibility compliance at all polling places, the county is supportive of legislation to conduct elections by mail ballots alone.
A previous proposal would have allowed counties to put measures on their local ballots and allow voters to decide if future elections should be conducted by all-mail ballot. It is a practical solution that should be an option.
Health and Human Services
The county has many requests for continued support of full funding of county-administered health and human service programs, both on the state and federal levels.
We are seeking to expand health coverage for uninsured children and adults and are supporting reforms of foster care financing so that all children and youth in foster care are eligible for federal payments.
We are also supporting another round of the "Cash for Clunkers" program, which has indirect revenue benefits for health care programs and direct benefits in reducing vehicle emissions.
Over the next four years, the county needs to build a new facility for acute psychiatric care, as the current facility will no longer be available. The county will need federal assistance to fund the estimated $10 million building.
In short, this will be another extremely difficult year and new legislation will likely be limited as state and federal governments continue to struggle with budget issues.
As local government advocates, the Board of Supervisors and county staff will continue to work for policy and program changes needed to foster economic recovery and to protect the critical services that local governments provide.
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