BOARD MEETING DATE: September 3, 2004
AGENDA NO. 23
Legislative Committee
SYNOPSIS:
The Legislative Committee held its regular meeting on Friday, August 13, 2004 and discussed agenda items including the release of RFPs for Legislative Consulting Services in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento, and the one-year extension of contracts to Allan Lind and Tres Es, LLC (Richard Polanco) for Legislative Consulting Services in Sacramento. The next Legislative Committee meeting is scheduled for Friday, September 10, 2004, at 8:00 a.m. in Conference Room CC8.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Receive and file this report.
Beatrice J.S. LaPisto-Kirtley, Chair
Legislative Committee
Attendance [Attachment 1]
The Legislative Committee met on August 13, 2004. Present was Vice-Chair Jane Carney. In attendance via videoconference were Committee Chair Bea LaPisto-Kirtley, and Committee Members Michael Antonovich, Jan Perry, and Bill Postmus. Committee Member Roy Wilson was absent.
Washington Report [Attachment 2]
Lynn Jacquez, AQMD Federal Legislative Representative, reports that the congressional session held a month-long recess and that the defense bill that contained AQMD’s $1 million has been signed by the President. A written report was also provided.
Sacramento Report/Update [Attachment 3]
Allan Lind, AQMD State Legislative Consultant reported that there are two weeks left in the session and there were no bills to take action on. In addition, he reported that the Governor has signed the budget. He also reported that since the budget's signing there has been a heightened interest in the administration for expanding the Carl Moyer program beyond what was done in the budget. In addition, the Governor has released the California Performance Review. With respect to SB 1397 (Escutia) this bill was recently moved from the Assembly Appropriations Committee and is now on the Assembly Floor. A written report was also provided.
Update on the California Budget and Funding of AQMD Programs
Allan Lind reported that the budget was passed by the legislature on July 29, and the Governor signed it on August 2, 2004. There is a proposal to increase the smog check fees in order to create additional revenues for the Carl Moyer program. This will provide $61 million a year with no sunset date. This is expected to be included in a budget trailer bill. The budget is balanced without any new taxes which was accomplished through significant cuts in the area of education and local government and from borrowing from future revenues. With respect to air quality there are no changes to the subvention funds received from the Air Resources Board.
Jane Carney suggested that it would be helpful to have a presentation on the overall strategy for emissions reductions and to receive a presentation on air pollution at the ports given there is much interest in these subjects.
Issue Request for Proposals (RFPs) for Legislative Consulting Services in Washington, D.C. and Issue RFP/Extend Legislative Consulting Services in Sacramento
Oscar Abarca reported that the current contract for legislative representation in Washington D.C. will expire on December 31, 2004. Staff recommends the issuance of an RFP to solicit bids for representation in Washington, D.C. with service to begin on January 1, 2005.
He also reported that the current contracts for legislative representation in Sacramento will expire on November 14 and December 31, 2004. Staff recommends the approval of one-year extensions of contracts with Allan Lind and Tres Es, LLC (Richard Polanco).
Bill Postmus asked what each of the lobbying firms does. Staff explained that both lobbying firms for which staff is recommending contract extensions have specific skills and strengths. Mr. Lind is an expert in the areas of budget process and policy issues. Retired Senator Richard Polanco (Tres Es, LLC) has demonstrated his political skills in assisting AQMD in securing essential funding for the agency and its programs. In addition, Senator Polanco helped with staving off hostile legislation which was introduced to limit AQMD's authority. Last year, at the request of Chairman Burke and Supervisor Mike Antonovich, it was suggested that a third firm with expertise with the current administration would be of value and we secured the services of retired Judge Sheldon Sloan through a sole source process. Staff believes that at this time, it is in the best interest of AQMD to go through an RFP process. Retired Judge Sheldon Sloan was welcome to apply if he is interested. Staff also noted that both Allan Lind and Richard Polanco (Tres Es, LLC) went through an RFP process last year, which allows for two one-year extensions to their contract, if desired by the Board.
Bill Postmus questioned the amounts of funding for the Sacramento lobbying firms. Oscar Abarca said that last year there had been a split of the total amount of funds for the Sacramento lobbying firms which were negotiated between Richard Polanco and Allan Lind. Richard Polanco received $137,000 and Allan Lind received $97,000. In addition, there was $40,000 which was set aside for a third firm.
The Legislative Committee unanimously approved the release of RFPs for legislative representation in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento. In addition, the Legislative Committee unanimously approved the one-year extension of contracts to Allan Lind and Tres Es, LLC (Richard Polanco). [Please see the September Board Agenda Items # 11 and # 12 for additional information on this item.]
Other Business: None
Public Comments: None
- Attendance Roster
- Federal Legislative Status Report
- Sacramento Update
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