California Consulting, LLC is pleased to announce that Juan Garza II has joined the firm and will be serving as its Chief Operating Officer.  Juan brings a wide range of experience in law, municipal finance, and local government.

Mr. Garza was raised in Fowler, CA.  He attended Reedley High School, where he served as student body president during his senior year.  In 1999, Mr. Garza graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in English.  After graduation he backpacked in New Zealand and Australia for approximately six months.

Upon his return to the Central Valley, Mr. Garza served as the Press Aide for a U. S. Congressman and managed a Central Valley State Assembly campaign.

In accepting the new post, Juan Garza commented, "As a valley native I am excited about returning home.  California Consulting is a highly regarded firm and they serve their clients with passion."

Mr. Garza attended law school at the University of Idaho, where he earned his Juris Doctorate in 2006.  Upon graduation from law school he accepted a position as an investment banker with the firm of Kinsell, Newcomb & De Dios, Inc. in Southern California.  After approximately three years, he accepted a position in the Bay Area as Assistant Vice President of the financial advisory firm Caldwell Flores Winters, Inc, who represent approximately 140 school districts throughout California.  During his tenure as an investment banker in municipal finance Mr. Garza participated in and managed several bond financings for cities and school districts, including General Obligation Bonds, Certificates of Participation, Lease Revenue Bonds, Bond Anticipation Notes, variable rate, and letter of credit financings.  During this time Mr. Garza gained a wealth of knowledge on the intricacies of the financial structure of cities and school districts.

In announcing the news company owner Steve Samuelian said, "As California Consulting continues to grow and gain clients, I cannot think of a better person than Juan to help lead the company.  His experience and background in a variety of key positions have positioned him perfectly for this new role."

As Chief Operating Officer Mr. Garza will manage the day-to-day operations of California Consulting.  Along with managing the firm's operations, Mr. Garza will place a special focus on client relations and will assist the firm's owner, Steve Samuelian, with the firm's lobbying activities.

In his free time, Mr. Garza enjoys golfing and watching sporting events.

Several important topics were discussed during the meetings at the State Capitol including (partial list):

SB 375 implementation; Preserving HUTA funding; High Speed Rail funding CMIA Savings; Preserving the Fresno County Enterprise Zone funding; Workforce Investment Board issues surrounding EDD and Water Storage.

Throughout the two day trip, meetings were held with several State Senators, State Assembly members, four Senior Officials from the Governor's Office, Cal-TRANS, the California Transportation Commission, and key Legislative Committee staff.

Tuesday evening was highlighted by an evening dinner with keynote speaker Senate Transportation and Housing Committee Chairman Alan Lowenthal. Senator Lowenthal is a major leader on California Transportation issues.

Based on the meetings California Consulting and Fresno COG will be organizing and implementing a follow up strategy over the next few weeks to aggressively pursue a delay in SB 375 implementation, preserving the Fresno County Enterprise Zone funding, and other issues.

·        SB 375:  During various meetings during the Fresno COG One Voice trip it became apparent that our push for a delay in implementation of SB 375 was gaining some traction with our guests. Clovis City Manager Kathy Millison and others led the discussion on this important issue. We were asked to put together a formal request asking for the delay of SB 375.  California Consulting is working with the League of California Cities, California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, the San Joaquin Valley COG Directors Association (Tony raised this issue with the Directors), and others to assemble a broad coalition to support this request. Once the request is submitted and the coalition is in place, California Consulting will organize follow up visits to Sacramento for a delegation of Valley leaders to meet with key representatives of ARB, Cal-EPA, the Governor's Office, and others to advocate for a delay in SB 375.  Our goal is to assemble a broad based coalition of local cities, counties, COG's, and interest groups to advocate for this delay in SB 375. We anticipate organizing a conference call in the next two weeks.

·        Fresno County Enterprise Zone: The Legislature is reviewing enterprise zones statewide and discussing the possibility of cutting or completely eliminating funding.  Fresno County has a strong and productive enterprise zone and the Fresno EDC has done a great job implementing the program.  California Consulting has outlined a 9 point strategy to combat any attempts to cut Enterprise Zone funding. This strategy has been shared with key interest groups in the Fresno area and we have convened a conference call to discuss the strategy and move forward on March 30.  We are coordinating with the League of Cities, Fresno EDC, Fresno Chamber, County of Fresno, Cities in Fresno County, California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley and others to present a united front.  The Legislature is having a hearing on this issue on April 20 and California Consulting is preparing for this hearing by educating legislators and staff prior to the hearing.

·          HUTA:  We continue to hear that HUTA funding could possibly be in jeopardy later in the Legislative session.  California Consulting will continue to monitor this issue closely and meet with Senate and Assembly Transportation leaders to ensure the Fresno COG position is well known regarding this important issue.

Transportation Tax Swap Package Signed by Governor

Last week the Governor said he would veto the transportation tax swap package because of issues raised by private freight railroads and diesel fuel users.  The Governor sent a letter dated March 15 to the Legislative Leadership requesting a per-gallon tax cut to consumers.  The transportation tax swap package is composed of ABx8 6 and ABx8 9.

Since last week, the Legislature has been attempting to address the Governor's concerns. The Legislature has basically been trying to reach agreement with the Governor.  Last night, the Legislature passed SB 70 and SB 71.  The Legislature also passed a bill by Assemblywoman Anna  Caballero (D-Salinas) that extends a tax credit to first time homebuyers. SB 70 makes sure that diesel fuel users will not be adversely impacted by a tax increase. SB 70 also has technical clean up language related to the concerns raised by the railroad industry. SB 71 (Padilla-Los Angeles) provides a tax exemption on the purchase of clean-technology manufacturing equipment.   The Governor has now signed ABx8 6 and ABx8 9 the transportation tax swap package. The Governor apparently felt comfortable that the legislation passed last night satisfied his concerns.

HIGHLIGHTS OF ABx8 9:
Provides that 75% of revenue from the diesel sales tax will be directed to transit operators starting in 2011-1012. This amounts to approximately $350 million per year.  Inter-city rail will see an increase in funding because of the receipt of 25% of the state sales tax on gas.

Appropriates about $700 million of revenue from the increased gas excise tax to go to bond debt service every year. The left over funds will be split 44% STIP, 12% SHOPP, and 44% Local Streets and Roads.

Prop. 98 education guarantee remains in place.

$400 million will be appropriated to transit operators to fund operations for the rest of 2009-10 and 2010-2011. 

HIGHLIGHTS OF ABx8 6:
Starting in 2011-12, increases the sales tax on diesel fuel by 1.75 percent or from 5% to 6.75%.  It also decreases the excise tax on diesel by 4.4 cents in 2011-12 from 18 cents to 13.6 cents.  This change does not impact cities and counties local streets and roads money. Under the new law cities and counties will receive as much new gas tax as they would have been receiving otherwise by Prop. 42.

The sales tax on gasoline  is eliminated and the excise tax on gasoline is increased by 17.3 cents.

Grants Available

Prop. 84 Urban Greening

Improving Literacy Through School Libraries - due April 20 for school districts

Fender Music Grant - for music equipment for schools

Lowe's Grant for Schools - funds small building facelift projects & small landscape    

    projects

Hearst Foundation Grants - for cities, counties and school districts

Baseball Tomorrow Foundation - for baseball equipment, lighting, scoreboards, etc.

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