CaliforniaCityNews.org

How Will the Bailout Impact Your City (if it happens)?

If and when Congress can get together on an answer to the $700 billion financial bailout, how will it impact your city?

Well certainly, the emerging crisis will impact every American.  It seems clear that financial turmoil could prompt more bank failures, losses of retirement savings, rises in unemployment as loans and other financing becomes unavailable to businesses large and small, and perhaps most dire for cities, increased foreclosures.

The National League of Cities has a City Fiscal Conditions in 2008 report, which it is now pointing to as a starting point as cities begin fiscal planning for 2009.  Amidst the myriad uncertainties, NLC ominously writes in its most recent newsletter that consequences of the Wall St turmoil "would further compound fiscal conditions for citie."  No kidding. 

Incidentally, if you're wondering how California lawmakers voted on the plan...

League of Cities Announces Positions on Nov Ballot Measures

The League of Cities' Board of Directors formalized its positions on the 12 November ballot measures.  They are opposing Props 5 and 7, supporting Prop 9 and staying neutral on the others.  Read through the link below for full League analysis of each measure.

City of LA in Line for Millions in Sate, Federal Aid for Foreclosures

The City of LA could be in line for $145 million from the state and over $30 million from the feds to buy a repair foreclosed properties.  There's an interesting debate emerging over whether this is necesary, given the rate at which foreclosed properties are already being sold.  Read up on the issues as outlined in the LA Times.

Will Drought Conditions Prompt Lawn Buy-Backs?

The Fresno city council has approved an Urban Water Management plan that could prompt the city to buy-back resident's front lawns in an effort to stem water use.  Some call this "cash for grass" (no kidding).  "It's absolutely a viable idea," said Jennifer Persike, public affairs director for the Association of California Water Agencies. "And one that is catching on as people realize that outside landscape irrigation accounts for 50 percent of residential water use."

Fresno, like several California cities, does not meter its residents' water use, though it is set to begin doing so in 2010.

Read more in the Fresno Bee.

Governor Makes Suprise Visit to League Conference

In the middle of bill signing, the busiest time of the year for the Governor and his staff -- Governor Schwarzenegger has decided to make a surprise visit to the League of California Cities annual conference.

While reaction from conference attendees has been mixed -- it's clear the Governor is visiting perhaps the only organization in the state that could get 2,500 people to give him applause.

Budget Signed (for real)

After a record 85-day impasse, Governor Schwarzenegger signed the state budget this week. This ends the bitter deadlock over how to close the state's $15.2 billion deficit, but leaves much to next year, where antoher deficit looms.

The governor refused to sign the budget in the Capitol rotunda, where signing ceremonies are normally conducted, opting to hold a quiet ceremony in his office. "Why I didn't feel like celebrating in the rotunda is that it is inexcusable to have a budget that's three months late," Schwarzenegger said. "It's three months late because both of the parties stayed in their ideological corners and refused to come out."

Read more in the LA Times | SacBee

LAFCOs Honor Legislative Staffer

Peter Detwiler has staffed the Senate Local Government Committee for almost two decades.  For his long running serivce, Detwiler has received the Distinguished Service Award from the Assocation of LAFCO's for his efforts on legislation of involving local and regional government.

Detwiler told Captiol Weekly that LAFCOs "live at the intersection of dirt, dollars and duties—land use, public finance and government structure.”

Detwiler received the honor at the Annual California Association of LAFCOs conference on Sept. 4. Read mroe in the Capitol Weekly here.

Council Meeting Descends into 'Election Year Politics'

Election politics spilled into an Antioch City Council meeting this week when councilman and mayoral candidate Jim Davis accused incumbent Mayor Donald Freitas of improperly influencing a decision about which title Davis will bear on the November ballot.

According to a report in the San Jose Merc, "When asked Wednesday for evidence to support his accusations, Davis was unable to offer any." 

Read more here.

League of Cities Conference Kicks Off

1,800 city officials gathered at the Terrace Theater in Long Beach yesterday for the opening general session of the League of California Cities 110th Annual Conference. The session included addresses by keynote speaker Neal Petersen, League President Jim Madaffer and League Executive Director Chris McKenzie.

Madaffer presided over the opening session and discussed the League's activities over the past year.
"When we look back at 2008, I am convinced it will be seen as a year when the League prevented what could have been devastating grabs of local property tax and transportation funds and defeated a draconian, anti-local control ballot measure in Proposition 98," said Madaffer. "The key to our success will continue to be our strong grassroots involvement of our members and a League staff that keeps us focused and informed. It has been a great year for California's cities, and we will make sure next year is one as well if we remain united and focused."

The League conference will continue through the rest of the week, and will feature bestselling author Richard Florida and Doris Kerns Goodwin, a renowned presidential historian.

California City Changes Name to 'Obama'

Well it's no Joe, Montana, but the Marin County city of Olema has changed it's name to Obama... at least for the time being.

It seems a local resident and Obama supporter replicated the town's city limit signage, with the subtle name change worked in.  We wouldn't bet on it being a big Get Out the Vote driver, however.  Marin is fairly solid Obama country anyhow, and Olema's population is just 55.

See video of the Obamafication here.