Tag: Governor Jerry Brown

Court Construction Funding Could Take another Hit

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Governor, court construction, state budget, deficit, court facilities

Contra Costa Courthouse - Photo courtesy of HOK

Governor Jerry Brown recently revised his proposed state budget to reflect the new estimated budget deficit of $16 billion. Like last year, the Governor is proposing to take money from the court construction fund to help balance the state budget.

Last year, over $300 million was taken from that fund. The Governor is proposing to take $240 million this year.

The money in the fund comes from special fees, assessments, and penalties imposed on court users. Currently, the money, if left in the court construction fund, is used to acquire land and hire design professionals. Eventually, the money will be used to finance bonds for the $5 billion construction program to make critical improvements to court facilities (replacement and improvement).

If the Legislature agrees with the Governor’s proposed taking of the $240 million, it will delay the court facility construction program by at least one year.

The Governor’s office explained their proposal as follows:

Decrease $240 million General Fund on a one-time basis by redirecting an equal amount from court construction funds to support trial court operations. This pause in construction will delay design activities for up to 38 court projects. It will coincide with a full review of the court construction program and court construction standards. Up to six projects that are near design completion are proposed to proceed to construction in 2012-13 once the Judicial Council is able to verify the cost and scope of these six projects. These projects will be funded with lease revenue bonds. Ongoing, $50 million will be redirected from court construction funds to support trial court operations.

This is the Governor’s proposed budget. The Legislature has not yet voted on it, but will work with the Governor and craft and vote on a budget in June. The AIACC will continue to work with our coalition partners in Just Build California to argue the importance of allowing the court construction program to continue without further interruption.

 

Governor Brown Issues Ambitious Green Building Executive Order

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in: Government Affairs / 2 Comments

Governor Jerry Brown, Executive Order, USGBC LEED, Net Zero Energy, environmental footprint, greenhouse gas emissions

Governor Jerry Brown has issued an Executive Order directing state agencies and departments to take immediate steps to make state government buildings more sustainable and energy efficient. The government order to “shrink the state’s environmental footprint and save millions of taxpayer dollars” applies to new or renovated state buildings, and among other things, requires many state government buildings to achieve USGBC LEED Silver certification or higher, to incorporate clean, on-site power generation, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020, and for buildings designed after 2025 to be Net Zero Energy buildings.

For more information, please see the Governor’s press release and Executive Order.

 

Merced County Mayors Make Case for Redevelopment

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in: Member Forum / 0 Comments

Merced Sun Star – Local leaders stressed the importance of redevelopment funds for community projects, building infrastructure and providing a source of revenue — and jobs — in the county.

The mayors of Gustine, Atwater and Merced came together Thursday in front of the Merced Senior Center on West 15th Street.

They met in response to the proposed budget plan unveiled by Gov. Jerry Brown. Under Brown’s budget to solve the state’s estimated $26.6 billion deficit, existing redevelopment agencies would be eliminated by July 1. Their funding mechanism from property tax revenue would be phased out, according to budget documents.
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Advocacy Starts Fast This Year

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Usually The AIACC does not ask members to contact state legislators to say “support this” or “oppose that” until April or May, given how the legislative calendar works. This year is different. Because the Governor is asking for an early adoption of the State Budget, a couple of issues important to the profession popped up in the beginning part of the year as a part of the State Budget.

The first issue was the Governor’s proposal to eliminate redevelopment agencies. Most members are aware of this proposal and should have received an email from The AIACC asking them to send an email to their legislators in support of keeping redevelopment assistance. Additionally, several AIA Chapters organized meetings between members and legislators in the district offices of the legislators. While many members responded with emails and legislator meetings, it appears at this time the Legislature will pass, and the Governor will approve, the elimination of redevelopment agencies. The battle over redevelopment agencies will move to the courts if that happens; the California Redevelopment Association and the California League of Cities believes Proposition 22, approved by voters last November, constitutionally protects redevelopment agencies.

The second issue involved how the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) can procure construction services for its multi-billion dollar capital program. A proposal to require the AOC to use the Design-Bid-Build project delivery method instead of Construction Manager at Risk made its way to the Budget Conference Committee and was being seriously considered against the wishes of the AOC. Most, if not all, of the firms working on AOC projects prefer the CM at Risk method over Design-Bid-Build because it allows the contractor to be selected early in the process, helping create a collaborative relationship between the architect and contractor. After being contacted by AOC staff on a Friday evening, AIACC staff sent an email to most of the AOC firms that evening, followed by another email Saturday asking them to fax a letter to the 10 legislators on the Budget Conference Committee in support of the AOC and its choice of CM at Risk. Most of the AOC firms responded and faxed letters by Monday afternoon. Our quick response, along with the responses from trade unions and contractors, helped keep this language out of the budget bill that currently is before the Legislature and could be voted on this week.

There is no way to know how many more times this year The AIACC will ask you, the member, to contact your legislators on a particular issue – the issues can appear out of nowhere and with little notice. Do know if an issue does come up and your involvement can make a difference, AIACC staff will contact you and ask for your help.