PROPOSALS AND PONTIFICATION: PROMISING DEVELOPMENTS IN STATE BUDGET SAGA
After weeks of grim news about the budget, the approaching fiscal Armageddon we are collectively racing towards, and the severe layoffs resulting from the bond freeze issued by the Pooled Money Investment Board, this week brought two beacons of hope.
First on Wednesday, the Democratic leadership unveiled an economic stimulus package that promises to jumpstart our economy while protecting the quality of life for all Californians. The proposal, announced by Senate pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, highlights a list of critical and ready-to-go projects that nearly doubles the amount of economic stimulus the Governor has requested and creates much needed jobs here in California, all while ensuring that the environment and public health are protected. This proposal proves that we can boost our economy while protecting long-standing health and environmental safeguards.
The proposal relies on getting more voter-approved bond money out the door for projects ranging from water supply reliability to infrastructure improvements. For example, the proposal seeks to fast track over $200 million dollars to improve water efficiency throughout California and fund needed stormwater clean up projects. The proposal also seeks to boost investments in public transportation and "fix it first" road projects. To improve energy efficiency in the state, the proposal directs the Public Utilities Commission and the California Energy Commission to use ratepayer funds already collected for energy programs to establish an aggressive program to retrofit every state building to achieve the maximum energy efficiency achievable.
The package as a whole represents a forward-looking approach to developing a clean and sustainable economy. Matched with the vision of President-Elect Obama's Recovery plan, California's future indeed looks brighter.
Secondly, this morning Governor Schwarzenegger gave his annual State of the State Address. As anticipated the focus of the address was on the state's fiscal crisis and need to find a budget solution in the coming weeks before the state begins to issue IOUs. However, this speech was markedly different in tone and posture than recent speeches by the Governor. Instead of demeaning the Legislature, the Governor acknowledged their hard work, and made no mention of rolling back key environmental protections. We can hope that this new approach means that real solutions can be discussed. However, in this case, it takes five to tango. If the Governor is ready to find productive solutions, we hope he can bring along the other leadership of his party. Only then will we see a responsible budget that truly addresses our state's fiscal problems and long-standing priorities.
WHAT ONE HAND GIVETH: SCHWARZENEGGER ADMINISTRATION RELEASES CLIMATE-THEMED CEQA GUIDELINES, CONTINUES CALL FOR EXEMPTIONS
Last Thursday, the Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR) released draft regulations describing how greenhouse gas emissions should be treated under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The new regulations would modify the CEQA Guidelines, used by public agencies across California when reviewing projects that could negatively impact the environment and public health.
We're taking a close look at OPR's proposal. While it makes several sensible changes that will lead to better environmental decisions, particularly regarding transportation choices, it's weak in other areas and silent on issues that cry out for attention. For example, it doesn't ask public agencies to examine the effects of global warming on a proposed project area. Will a development project be underwater because of sea level rise? (Who knows? Who cares?) If these sorts of questions aren't asked in the CEQA process, we'll continue to put people in harm's way and make it harder for wildlife to survive in a warming world.
The timing of the release is also a bit ironic. While the state budget crisis grows and many state-funded projects remain frozen, Governor Schwarzenegger has refused to accept any budget-fixing proposals if they don't include exemptions of environmental protections for a handful of proposed freeway projects. To satisfy the Governor, all CEQA provisions, including the analysis of global warming, would have to be waived. That sends a very odd signal for someone whose mantra has been "we can protect California's environment at the same time we pump up our economy."
The new CEQA Guidelines are required under SB 97 of 2007. For more information about the guidelines and OPR's upcoming public workshops, contact PCL's Matt Vander Sluis.
"HOW TO" WORKSHOPS AT PCL SYMPOSIUM OFFER TOOLS FOR RESPONIBLE PLANNING AND OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION
Armed with the right tools and a little bit of elbow grease, civic leaders and local activists can shape the future of their communities. That's why we're pleased to present two workshops at our upcoming PCL-PCLF Symposium on how to make it happen!
In "How To… Ensure Responsible Land Use Planning," presenters Perl Perlmutter and Catherine Engberg, both of Shute, Mihaly and Weinberger LLP, will provide pragmatic, time tested techniques for better land use planning. They'll share legal and policy tools to improve or challenge unwise land use projects, discuss ways to "lock in" intelligent land use planning through local ballot measures, and explain how Community Benefits Agreements can hold developers accountable to the communities in which they build.
In "How To… Protect Natural Lands," Cheryl Belcher of the California Council of Land Trusts will cover the logistics of identifying lands to be saved, generating the political will, developing the necessary financial support, and navigating the legal steps to bring a land trust to fruition. Come learn more about effective protection and stewardship processes that have saved important landscapes as well as types of funding available and the appraisal, assessment, and review processes.
Registerfor the PCL-PCLF Symposium and Banquet early to guarantee your seat - we sold out last year! The event is on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in downtown Sacramento. For more information, contact Melanie Schlotterbeck at (714) 779-7561 or MSchlotterbeck@pcl.org.
1107 9th Street, Suite 360, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone (916) 444-8726 • Fax (916) 448-1789
1107 9th Street, Suite 360, Sacramento, CA 95814 • Phone (916) 444-8726 • Fax (916) 448-1789 •
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