Policy & Legislation
Budget Conference Committee Update
June 25, 2008
The two-house Budget Conference Committee began meeting in mid-June to address the myriad differences between the Senate and Assembly’s versions of the 2008-09 budget.
The issues in the Department of Housing and Community Development's (HCD) budget up for discussion include:
- At what level to fund the second round of Prop. 1C's infill program (Senate: $300 million; Assembly: $200 million).
- At what level to fund the second round of Prop. 1C's TOD program (Senate: $140 million; Assembly: $95 million).
- Who should administer the Prop. 1C parks program (Senate: Dept. of Parks and Recreation; Assembly: HCD).
- Whether to fund staff positions to implement various new provisions of law affecting flood hazards in the housing element and water efficiency (Assembly: Yes; Senate: No).
Both houses already rejected the governor’s proposed $401,000 cut to the Emergency Housing and Assistance program, leaving advocates to focus on avoiding a gubernatorial “blue-pencil.”
The committee members are Assemblymembers John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), Roger Niello (R-Sacramento) and Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and Senators Denise Ducheny (D-San Diego), Bob Dutton (D-Inland Empire), and Mike Machado (D-Stockton).
Contact Julie Snyder, (916) 447-0503 x 102 or .
