CaliforniaCityNews.org

Opposition To Local Government Raids Continues To Build

The voice of opposition to Sacramento raids and borrowing from local government funds continues to grow - most notably in the form of two editorials. The first comes to us via The Flashreport which is one of the most read political blogs in California. The Flashreport has a broad readership among Republicans in California and is one of the main drivers of conservative thought in the golden state. They printed an op-ed authored by 19 local GOP mayors and councilmembers from throughout the state.

Additionaly, a traditional media source The Riverside Press Enterprise has also weighed in with an editorial speaking out against local government raids.

And The Bakersfield Californian suggests that more talk of loans means its time to "kick some legislative booty."

Web based Campaigns Have Finally Reached The Local Level

Traditional campaigning will never end as the fundamentals of getting elected - walking precinct, direct mail, and phone banking have their rightful place in the traditional lexicon of political campaigns.

But beware to all candidates who think that that is all that it takes to get elected nowadays. Sure, some political consultants argue that the internet is an unproven commodity in campaigns. As of this moment they're right. But CCN is going out on a limb and suggesting this November will be the last one where most candidates won't have at least some net presence.

What does it say when a candidate doesn't have a web page or know what a blog is? It says "I'm out of touch with my residents and the vast majority of Americans!" - loudly and clearly. No one should be elected office without a cursory understanding or respcet for the fast growing means of communications worldwide. The internet, social marketing and blogs are redefining commerce, civic engagement, volunteerism - indeed our very lives. Woe to the politician who doesn't understand that.

Read the Riverside Press Enterprise to see how local campaigns in that area are taking advantage of the future.

How To Replace A $90,000 A Year Employee With A Computer Monitor

Loyal readers from the city of San Carlos have given us a heads-up on their newest employee: She's nice, friendly, greets all the visitors in the lobby of city hall, works for free and never needs time off for vacation, or even 15 minutes to gather herself.

You see "Carly"(named after the city) is an avatar - and she replaced an employee making $90,000 a year.

The following story comes to you via Government Technology - a website dedicated to the best tech developments in the public sector.

CCN is investigating rumors that Max Headroom is being recruited to replace the city manager.

"REMEMBER ME?"

Elk Grove Finds That Being First Isn't Always What It's Cracked Up To Be

There are going to be a lot of cities claiming to be the "first" in the next ten years or so. As communities scramble their way through the new technology frontier in the hopes of going green, more and more cities will be laying claim to the mantle of being "the first city" to accomplish this goal or that goal, the most efficient, the cleanest...and the list will go on and on.

There are going to be a lot of problems on the way to a greener world. While we here at CCN have always been a strong and vocal proponent of embracing technology as the solution to the environmental issues we face, we are equally as strident in ensuring that cities are doing their homework on the technologies they embrace, the promises they make to the public, and - most importantly - being cautious about the claims they make when it comes to being a "first".

Elk Grove should be commended for leading the pack. In its drive to embrace a cleaner and more efficient transit system it encoutered some challenges we can all learn from. When Elk Grove unveiled its new transit buses four years ago, it laid claim to the nation's only all-hybrid municipal commuter fleet.

Then came the bus fires.

Now the 21-bus gasoline-electric hybrid fleet costing $10 million is sidelined, and the city is suing the manufacturers and other transit-related contractors for breach of contract.The rest of the Sacramento Bee story here.

Mayor Plotted To Kill Council Rival Who Helped Defeat Him

We can't make this stuff up folks.

This saga is unflding in Gilbert Arizona where two term mayor Steve Berman has been accused of plotting to kill a council rival, Linda Abbott because she campaigned against him. Apparently the mayor's "plan" including charting out Ms. Abbott's jogging path and running her over with a truck.

Like we said - we can't make this stuff up. Full Story here in the Gilbert Valley Tribune.

Perata and Ducheny Issue Statements about Democrats’ Budget Priorities

The budget negotiations are heating up along with the temperature in Sacramento. Senate Democrat's today issued a press release referring to todays LA Times article suggesting local government borrowing was on the negotiation table.

In strong and certain terms, Senate Pro-tem Don Perata called borrowing "gimmickry" and stated that Democrats played no role in the rumors spreading around that local money was being considered for borrowing to balance the states budget.

Read full post for the language from Perata's office...

Just hours later Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and Assemblyman John Laird followed suit and issued a statement of their own.

The Ultimate Gadfly?

"Who's running this boat?" asks one Pacifica resident.  He makes the most of his three minutes... some are calling it the "ultimate gadfly," you be the judge...

LA Sues Blue Shield

The City of Los Angeles is suing Blue Cross to the tune of over $1 billion, accusing the insurer of unlawfully canceling policies after patients became hospitalized or seriously ill.  Blue Cross is calling it a political stunt on the part of City Attorney Delgadillo, but regardless it will be a fascinating case to follow in terms of local authority.  Read more from Reuters.

Legislature Prepping to Raid Local Coffers to Balance Budget??

The budget negotiations are heating up in Sacramento, and surprise, surprise, local government funds are on the table.  According to the Sac Bee: "Lawmakers are seriously considering grabbing money from local government and transportation funds to balance this year's $15.2 billion budget deficit."

Uh oh.

Sacramento's Continued Encroachment on Local Control

Bit by bit, Sacramento continues to erode the ability of local governments to determine their own destiny. While it has been brazen at times in the past - think ERAF and controlling cities by controlling their pursestrings - it has become much more subdued as of late.

Every legislative session sees dozens of bills that provide carrots or sticks to cities compelling (sometimes forcing them) to conduct their affairs in certain ways. Recently, Sacramento legislators have construed terms like "compelling state interest" in ways that allow them to further mandate local government actions. Land use decisions, prevailing wages and the RHNA process are among the areas where state government has continually encroached on the 'home rule' concept that are the foundation for city government.

The North County Times recently printed an article by a citizen commenting on this phenomenon. It's not everyday that the average citizen calls on the League of Cities to lead the charge against an encroaching state government.