Assemblymember reports on latest from Sacramento
By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com

Cameron Smyth

Despite city officials' recent budget concerns, Simi Valley's General Fund is still safe from having to help balance California's projected $16billion shortfall for 2008.

State Assemblymember Cameron Smyth (R-Santa Clarita), who represents the 38th District, told the Simi Valley Acorn this week that raiding city treasuries is not currently in Sacramento's plan.

"There is a very large percentage of state legislators who have come from local government," Smyth said. "A lot of us have experienced firsthand what it's like for the state to come in and raid our budgets, and we have no intention of putting that back on local governments as of today."

Historically, the state has dealt with budget crises by dipping into the treasuries of financially healthy cities in order to balance state expenditures- an action that Mayor Paul Miller recently said cost Simi Valley more than $4 million several years ago.

But Smyth said there has been no discussion in the state Capitol about repeating the act this year.

One safeguard, he said, is Proposition 1A, which was passed by California voters in 2006 and protects local government funds for public safety, health, libraries, parks and other locally delivered services.

"There is a formula that can be implemented to circumvent (Prop 1A) to some capacity, but it's pretty hard," Smyth said. "It's a pretty onerous effort. I've got to believe that if (a raid) was in the plans, it would have already been discussed and brought forward."

The assemblymember said the Legislature's biggest challenge in balancing the budget this year is working from money that isn't already earmarked through the state Constitution.

For example, Proposition 49- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's pre-gubernatorial initiative that secures grant funding for beforeand afterschool educational programs- was added to the Constitution in 2002 and calls for more than $400 million a year in automatic funding.

"It's a worthy cause, but that's money we can't touch," Smyth said. "It's hard because every day I have meetings, along with all my colleagues, from every type of group that is dependent on state funding in one capacity or another.

"Every one of them says the same thing: 'We know there needs to be cuts, but here's why you shouldn't cut us.' It's very hard to place value judgments on all these legitimate and worthy organizations."

Smyth said that while state legislators have "tremendous respect" for one another, it's still been very difficult to achieve bipartisanship when dealing with the tight budget.

"Unfortunately, there will probably be a lot of digging-in of heels between the parties," Smyth said. "We'll probably see some regional alliances that may cross party lines. But because the numbers are so tight, a lot of people are going to be fighting for a very small pot of money."

State officials will get a better idea of how much money they'll have to work with once the governor comes out with a revised budget on May 15.

Local initiatives

On Jan. 28, Smyth introduced Assembly Bill 1842- a measure ensuring that the former Santa Susana Field Laboratory, upon completion of a full cleanup, would be turned into a state park.

The bill, if passed, would not allow any residential development on the site and instead keep it in its natural state to be used for recreational purposes.

Smyth said AB 1842 will be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee within the month and then will go to the Assembly floor for a vote.

"In no way does my legislation impede cleanup or try to take anyone off the hook," Smyth said. "Basically, this is to put the framework into place for future legislators and future governors, to make sure they have the mechanism to turn this property into something positive."

The 2,850-acre site, once used for the testing of highpowered lasers and rockets, sits in the hills just south of Simi Valley.

The site, which currently belongs to Boeing Co., is subject to Senate Bill 990, a measure passed last October requiring full cleanup in accordance with the highest standards of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, with the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) in charge of overseeing the project.

While U.S. EPA officials had hoped to add the site onto the Superfund National Priorities List in January- a designation that would get the federal government involved- the governor asked that the state retain control for an additional six months, until a formal cleanup agreement can be reached with Boeing.

"I am perfectly comfortable, if the decision is made, to have DTSC serve as the lead agency for the cleanup because I've seen their work firsthand and feel very favorable," Smyth said.

"As long as they have the expertise on the radiological side, then that's the only caveat I have to that," he said.

Simi cemeteries

Assembly Bill 1932- a measure authorizing the city to dedicate, own and operate five or more acres of land to be used as a public cemetery- was introduced by Smyth to the state Legislature on Feb. 12.

The city of Simi Valley currently has three cemeteries, only one of which is nondenominational.

State law currently prevents a municipality from operating a cemetery that's five acres or larger, Smyth said.

AB 1932, if passed, would give "legislative relief" to the city, allowing it to take over the management of the Simi Valley Pioneer Cemetery. It would also allow the city to secure land for a second graveyard.

Smyth said the bill is scheduled to come to the Assembly floor for a vote in the next couple of weeks.

If Smyth's bills pass through the Assembly, they will have to go through the Senate before being sent to the governor for his signature.

For further information on Smyth's current legislation, visit republican.assembly.ca.gov/ members/a38.