Bishop - County to set its legislative platform for rest of the year

Inyo County’s draft legislative platform supports any legislation that will continue funding noxious weed abatement programs. Though the Board of Supervisors may make changes to the platform at its meeting on Tuesday, it is unlikely it will support any legislative move to cut that funding. Photo courtesy Inyo County Weed Abatement Program

Inyo County is preparing to keep a close eye on important legislative issues for the upcoming year by drafting a platform that outlines its stance on everything from finances to transportation.
The board will continue the discussion at its meeting this coming Tuesday so it can gather more information on some of the proposals laid out by county staff.
According to a report to the board, county staff created a legislative platform that “identifies the most important legislative issues for the county” and “allows (the board) to establish broad legislative parameters, which, in turn, provide direction to staff as they review and analyze legislation in the new legislative session.
“Additionally,” the report states, “throughout the year, as new legislation is introduced and/or items and issues become a priority, (the board) will have the opportunity to consider those specific items for inclusion in the platform.”
The platform covers seven categories, from budgets to health and social services to transportation and resources and the environment.
County staff specifically outlined 10 legislative proposals for the board’s review, and several more in the seven different categories.

Staff is advising the board to support continued funding to weed management programs, which directly impacts efforts in Inyo to eradicate salt cedar and other invasive, noxious weeds.
The board is also being advised to oppose any recommendations that would reduce federal financial participation in child support services.
Staff is also recommending that the board watch any state health care reform proposal with fiscal impacts to the county and private employees.

The platform also suggests that the board support several legislative moves that would enhance county probation programs, including legislation that would protect state funding for the program and another move that would allow local probation departments to collect outstanding victim restitution through the civil process.
On the fiscal front, the platform opposes any legislative efforts by the state or federal government that would reduce funding for programs or traditional funding streams by mandating, redirecting or “strongly encouraging” the use of local discretionary funding such as children and families commissions.
The platform also supports any legislation that will continue the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act beyond its current authorization and support any move by the state that would require California to provide full cost reimbursement to counties for any mandated programs.
County staff also suggested that the board support legislation that requires the state or federal government to identify a secure funding stream prior to placing any additional mandates on local governments. The platform also suggests supporting legislation to stabilize local government financing that would “permit the most cost-efficient management of state-mandated programs.”
The board was also advised to monitor closely any legislation that would affect the state budget process or state health care reform.
Under the banner of public works legislation, the current platform before the board supports transportation funding that would provide revenue without affecting funding sources for other county projects; continues federal funding efforts for local transportation projects; reaffirms and continues state responsibility for highway financing; and returns lost maintenance and construction funds for local roads.
As the board continues its discussion about the legislative platform this Tuesday, it has the ability to change its stance on any piece of legislation.
The final draft of the platform is expected to be passed at that time.