CSAC’s Officers, Executive Director and Legislative Director had a very positive meeting with Governor Jerry Brown this week, emphasizing the partnership CSAC and California’s counties have developed with the Governor and his staff over the years. They also talked more specifically about the Governor’s budget proposal and the positive elements it contains for counties.

The Governor’s budget proposes early repayment of $533 million for mandates owed to local governments for more than a decade. Of that, 73 percent or $390 million would go to counties to help enhance public safety and provide health care and other vital services. “There are a lot of ways to divvy up the state’s annual revenue,” said CSAC President Vito Chiesa, a Stanislaus County Supervisor.  “I am really happy we got a chance to thank the Governor for proposing this early repayment, and also assure him that counties are ready to partner with him on other issues.”

The hour-long discussion with the Governor also covered water issues, public safety realignment, transportation funding, implementation of the Affordable Care Act and Payment in Lieu of Taxes. The budget proposal includes funding for county programs that rehabilitate criminal offenders and to help defray the growing cost of administering health care. There is also a proposed allocation of $10 million dollars for County Fairs.  

“These are all areas where the state and counties need to work together,” said Chiesa.  “And so it’s especially important and rewarding for us to be able to sit down and have a frank and open conversation with the Governor about how we can cooperate more closely on these and other issues that affect all Californians.”

Also participating in the meeting were CSAC First Vice President Richard Forster from Amador County, Second Vice President Dave Roberts from San Diego County, Immediate Past President John Gioia from Contra Costa County, DeAnn Baker, CSAC’s Legislative Director, and Diane Cummins, Special Policy Advisor to the Governor.

“I’m really gratified that our leadership can have this kind of discussion with the Governor on a relatively regular basis,” said CSAC Executive Director Matt Cate. “But it’s the day-to-day relationships CSAC staff has developed with the Governor’s staff and Department Heads that help us work effectively on issues that matter to all 58 counties.”