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ValleyVote press release 6-29-99
The leadership element of Valley VOTE, the group that petitioned for a LAFCO Study on reorganizing Los Angeles into two smaller cities was quiteoutspoken this morning regarding the news that Governor Davis had signed theState Budget which provides 1.8 Million dollars to fund the LAFCO Study
"This action by the Governor is the culmination of efforts by our local and State elected officials who have shown bold leadership. The approval of this funding has shown the electorate that a coalition of public Servants can and will deliver when the cause is for the benefit of many," Stated Jeff Brain President of Valley VOTE "Richard Katz has been our conduit to high ranking State officials who felt that the call from 202,000 Valley residents and business persons meant action.
Forming the biggest coalition of elected officials to date on this issue, led by Assembly Speaker Anthonio R. Villaraigosa and Valley Assemblyman Bob Hertzberg, people like State Senators Richard Alarcon, John Burton, Richard G. Polanco, Assembly members Tom McClintock, Tony Cardenas, City Council President John Ferraro, County Supervisors Zev Yarorslavsky and Mike Antonovich as well as Mayor Richard Riordan all collectively powered this bill to the Governor, some putting aside their own opposition to secession in favor of an open fair process.
This is not only a historic day for the LAFCO Study funding, but also a banner day to bring renewed faith back into an all too often slow-moving governmental process. This mixed leadership coalition moved the funding forward more rapidly than anyone expected thereby allowing LAFCO to do the job that the people requested. The funding will be available July 1st.
The next step is for LAFCO to hire consultants to conduct the Study which is viewed by Valley VOTE leaders as an audit of the Los Angeles operations and use of public tax dollars.
"The process is there for the people to believe in "stated Richard Close, Valley VOTE Chair "The legislators all put forth a fair and balanced effort to achieve a single goal. Thc people should be pleased with their actions, Now we move forward to learn the facts about the issue of cityhood for the Valley, Is it even feasible? The elements of the Study should give us enough information to form our own opinions, based upon facts."
thought you would find the story in today's (6-30-99) Daily News interesting.For the source see http://dailynews.com/news/june99/0630/secede.html
By Rick Orlov, Staff Writer
The decision by Gov. Gray Davis on Tuesday to include in the state budget $1.8 million for a study on San Fernando Valley secession was met with both jubilation and caution by those involved in the effort. Davis had been heavily lobbied -- in particular by Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa, D-Los Angeles, and Assemblyman Bob Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys -- to keep the money in the budget.
"I believe in democracy and if the people of the San Fernando Valley and the people of the remaining parts of Los Angeles vote to allow the Valley to secede, they're entitled to," Davis said. "It's important that a study be done to determine if the Valley can be financially independent and can support itself should it ultimately become a separate city." The governor, whose home is in Los Angeles, said he would not take sides on the issue. "But I believe in democracy. I believe in the legislation that was passed last year that allows for secession if both the Valley and the remainder of the city both vote to allow the Valley to secede."
Larry Calemine, executive director of the Local Agency Formation Commission, which will conduct the study, wondered where the balance of the estimated $2 million cost would come from. "This certainly goes a long way, but we still have to see what the city and county will do," Calemine said. "We don't want to start this and then see us run out of money." Calemine said the next step will be to prepare a request for proposals to hire a consultant, which he believes can be done by October. The actual study is expected to take 18 to 24 months.
Mayor Richard Riordan, who opposes the secession effort but favors the study, said through an aide that he appreciated the governor's decision and would work to see that the city comes up with its share -- about $250,000. "The mayor still believes the city should remain united, but if there is to be this debate it should be based on solid facts," spokeswoman Jessica Copen said.
At the county, Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said he believed the state's action would help in the effort to get the county to chip in a like amount. "The governor's action is welcome and now it's up to the county to decide what we will do," Yaroslavsky said. "For the state, in the whole scheme of things, this is not a lot of money, but it means this study can go on. "For the governor, the only reason he would have vetoed this was if he wanted to frustrate the process, and I have had no sense he wanted to do that."
Hertzberg said the action was the result of years of work. "People in the San Fernando Valley have raised legitimate questions about their local government and, in return, we've been criticized, ridiculed and ignored," Hertzberg said. "Today that comes to an end."
Former Assemblyman Richard Katz, who has been working with the Valley Voters Organized Toward Empowerment group seeking the LAFCO study, said the state financing was critical. "Without this, it would have been incredibly difficult to get the work done," Katz said. "This sends a clear message the study will get done and we will all get the answers we have been seeking. "The people of L.A. will finally know what happens to all the taxes they pay, where it comes from and where it's spent," Katz said. "We will be able to find out all the assets of the city and get answers to questions we have been asking for years."
The next issue for Valley VOTE is to make sure all the information is provided by the city, Katz said. "We want the raw data and not something that has been filtered by City Hall," Katz said. "And, we want to see LAFCO insure it's as independent as possible to maintain its credibility."
Councilwoman Laura Chick said in approving the funding the governor was "doing the right thing to make sure we have a study of this." Chick supports the study but has taken no position on Valley cityhood, according to her office.
Councilman Hal Bernson, who serves on the LAFCO board and was part of a Valley secession drive more than 20 years, welcomed the state funds. "It would have been nearly impossible to do this without the state getting involved," Bernson said. "And, it should be. (LAFCO) is really a state agency and the state's responsibility."
Even those who have been critical of any talk of secession said they appreciated the governor's action.
Councilman Mike Feuer said the study is a separate issue from his views on breaking up the city. "I've been looking forward to getting hard facts on this," Feuer said. "I have always favored a study and the fact is there are legitimate goals we all share for improving the quality of service. "What I hope is that this study will add light to what has been a heated discussion."
Councilman Mike Hernandez said the governor made the right decision in providing the funds. "We all want to know the facts," Hernandez said. "And one fact is that this is a state mandate on us and the state should pay its share."
Staff Writer Terri Hardy in Sacramento contributed to this report
COPYRIGHT © 1999 Daily News Los Angeles
We thought you would find the story in today's (6-30-99) LA Times interesting. For the source see http://www.latimes.com/HOME/NEWS/VALLEY/t000058740.html
Finance: Budget includes 80% of tab for analysis, and money for Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and Mission College.
By MIGUEL BUSTILLO, Times Staff Writer
From money to study San Fernando Valley secession to cash for new parkland in the Santa Monica Mountains, the $81-billion state budget signed Tuesday by Gov. Gray Davis provides funding for an array of area projects.
As expected, Davis did not cut out the $1.8 million the Legislature had placed in the 1999-2000 spending plan to cover 80% of the secession study, probably ending a lengthy dispute over who should pay for the unprecedented analysis of breaking up Los Angeles.
Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa (D-Los Angeles), a potential mayoral candidate in 2001, led the push to secure the secession funding as part of the budget along with Assemblyman Bob Hertzberg (D-Sherman Oaks), Assemblyman Tom McClintock (R-Northridge) and state Sen. Richard Alarcon (D-Sylmar).
Though the drive to obtain money for a secession study overcame its biggest obstacle when it got past powerful state Sens. John Burton (D-San Francisco) and Richard Polanco (D-Los Angeles), Hertzberg and Villaraigosa took nothing for granted, lobbying the governor last week to ensure the cash made the cut.
Hertzberg said he expected local government and Valley VOTE, the main group pushing secession, to pick up the remainder of the tab for the study, which is expected to cost $2.3 million. The study must take place, and has to arrive at certain findings, for secession to be put to a vote. "I am a very happy man," Hertzberg said. "I got most of what I wanted, most importantly the study. We're putting 80 cents on the dollar. I can't imagine this not ending the debate."
The secession study was one of many requests for funding by local legislators that found their way into the final budget.
[balance of story not sent]
Copyright 1999 Los Angeles Times. All Rights Reserved
** NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. **
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