SACRAMENTO, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 05/17/06 -- More than 500 city officials gave Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger a standing ovation today, when he signed SB 1689 (Núñez/Perata) -- the housing bond package passed two weeks ago as part of an infrastructure funding package -- at the League of California Cities' Legislative Action Days event.

The Governor hailed the bond as a great success, and a shining example of what the Legislature can accomplish when working together. It will appear on the November statewide ballot as Proposition 1C.

"The bond package was passed not because of me, but all of you," the Governor told the packed ballroom of local government officials, including members of the League board of directors. "There was no 'Republican way,' no 'Democrat way,' we did it the California way. This was a huge victory for California."

League First Vice President Maria Alegria, Mayor Pro Tem in the city of Pinole, presented the Governor with a shiny new shovel as an award recognizing his work on the bi-partisan infrastructure investment package. Also on hand to receive awards were Senate President Pro Tempore Don Perata, Sen. Dick Ackerman, Sen. Bob Dutton, Sen. Alan Lowenthal and Sen. Tom Torlakson. The commemorative shovels were intended to signify the infrastructure work that will be undertaken if the housing and other infrastructure bonds are passed by voters in November. Also honored, but not present to accept the awards, are Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez and Assembly Minority Leader George Plescia.

The Governor's remarks came at the end of a program that also included a discussion of telecommunications reform.

Assemblymember Lloyd Levine, chair of the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee, spoke about AB 2987, a telecommunications reform measure opposed by the League that Levine is co-sponsoring with Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez. Levine remained after his address to hear concerns expressed by members of the League's ethnic diversity caucuses about the bill's lack of stringent protections against red-lining.

"Here's what it comes down to," said Los Angeles councilmember Tony Cardenas, a member of the League's Latino Caucus. "We support competition, but only if it leads to fairness -- better access to video and broadband services for all neighborhoods and all businesses."

Levine stressed that both he and the Speaker are working together with local officials to address their concerns.

Other speakers at the event included Senate President Pro Tempore Don Perata, who spoke about the infrastructure package, and Assembly Budget Chair John Laird, who talked about the May Revise to the budget.

The League's Legislative Action Days is an annual event, whereby city officials come to the State Capitol to lobby their legislators on League priority issues. The event continues tomorrow, May 18, starting at 8:45 a.m., in the Lower Ballroom of the Sheraton Grand Hotel. Terry Abbott, division chief, Local Assistant, California Department of Transportation and Lynn Jacobs, director, California Department of Housing and Community Development will be featured speakers.

Contact:
Megan Taylor
(916) 658-8228

Brian Heaton
(916) 658-8264