STEVE HOFBAUER LEADS CALIFORNIA CITY REPS TO SACRAMENTO

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 11, 2010 - Palmdale City Councilman Steve Hofbauer joined dozens of local elected officials from throughout California in the State Capitol this week to meet with our Senate and Assembly house leaders, the Governor’s Office, and other administration officials on issues of critical importance to local government, and contract cities in particular.

As Vice Chairman of the Legislative Committee of the California Contract Cities Association, Hofbauer helped formulate and deliver the legislative platform for the small and medium sized cities throughout California, cities that utilize contract public services, such as the Sheriff, to provide essential city services.

The ongoing State Budget Crisis dominated the discussions. "Cities drove home our insistence the State produce a viable, balanced budget, without raiding local government funds, transportation funds, and redevelopment funds. Local government is where the rubber meets the road’" said Steve. The State recently lost the lawsuit over raiding city Redevelopment Agency funds. "Incredibly, they went right back and are proposing it again in this budget, while they appeal."

"Only a handful of these guys really get it. The Democrats were blaming Republicans, the Republicans blamed the Democrats, and they both blamed the Governor," said Steve. "As a result, they saw their popularity tank. So now, who are they blaming? Us. You and me. The cities. We’re just not doing enough (in other words, shifting enough money to the state) to help solve the problem, in their myopic little view of the world. Absolutely amazing!" exclaimed Steve.

"Cities are the true economic engines of the state" pointed out Steve. "Yet the state is constantly hamstringing us, creating greater burdens on cities and businesses. If the Governor and Legislature would just let us do our jobs, it would result in more jobs, and increased revenues flowing back up to the State."

Cities attempted to work with the Governor and the State leaders to formulate a plan for fiscal emergencies. Instead they continue to exploit every loophole to rob local cities, and search for more. Therefore, cities are promoting a new ballot measure, "The Local Taxpayer, Public Safety and Transportation Act" to close those loopholes, and force the state to come to grips on its financial issues without resorting to begging, borrowing and stealing city funds each year. Steve is helping gather signatures from registered voters to qualify this measure for an upcoming election.

Unfunded Legislative Mandates was another hot topic with local elected officials. "Cities should not have to bear the brunt of the legislature’s pet projects. One recent example is the requirement to increase recycling to 75%. A noble cause, and many households, mine included, more than comply already." However, there is a shortage of processors and end users of recyclable material; there’s no place for it to go. "Yet the state law will increase trash fees and impose severe penalties on cities for non-compliance," Steve pointed out.

Another mandate that looks good on paper are contained in AB 32 and SB 375. "As I’ve reported in our City Council Meetings, the state is mandating all cities and Regional Planning Organizations develop Sustainable Community Strategies. We must reconcile our Housing, Transportation and Jobs to reduce greenhouse gasses. This is a costly process." The state envisions denser housing around economic and transportation centers. At the same time, we are undergoing a cencus. "Perfect timing, you might think," said Steve. "But no! The state insists we move forward now, using 10 year old cencus data. Do you think many cities have seen population and demographic changes in the last 10 years" Hofbauer asks rhetorically. "Of course we have. But wait. There’s more!" says Steve. "When the cencus data is compiled, we’re required to spend more money and update the plans we just made. This is an asinine waste of scarce resources!"

Discussion of the ongoing Water Crisis departed from the strictly economic issues. Without adequate water, cities are not sustainable, businesses cannot grow, and agriculture cannot thrive. "So in reality, it was an economic topic as well" Steve offered.

"Overall, it was very productive" reported Hofbauer. "The cities are even more resolute to compel the state to solve its budget without the crutch of local government. I believe we got that point across quite clearly to our various State Representatives. They are clearly not happy. We discussed some innovative local programs, as well as legal and legislative strategies. We learned who our friends are in the Legislature, and more importantly, who isn’t!"