1. Introduction to Politics and the Budget and Legislative Processes New Directors Orientation Child Support Directors Association

2. Budget Development The State Constitution requires that the Governor submit a balanced budget to the Legislature. The Director of Finance, as the chief financial advisor to the Governor, directs the effort for preparation of the Governor’s budget.

3. Budget Development California uses an incremental budget approach –Uses the current departmental level of funding as base adjusted by Budget Change Proposals. (BCP) –Departments submit BCP’s to Finance for review and analysis.

4. Budget Development Departments under an Agency Secretary (like Child Support – under the Health and Human Service Agency Secretary – Diana Dooley) must clear their proposals through Agency level hearings.

5. Budget Development Issues that are not resolved between departments and Finance staff are elevated to the Finance Director. The most sensitive issues are ultimately presented to the Governor for resolution.

6. Budget Development After all decisions are completed, the Department of Finance (DOF) print the following publications: –Governor’s Budget Summary –Governor’s Budget –Governor’s Budget Highlights –Salaries and Wages Supplement

7. Budget Enactment Governors Budget must be accompanied by a Budget Bill itemizing recommended expenditures which shall be introduced into each house of the Legislature. Constitution requires that the Legislature passes the budget bill by June 15.

8. Budget Enactment Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee and the Assembly Budget Committee are the two committees that hear Budget Bills. They assign items in the bill to several sub-committees (such as Health and Human Services) which conduct budget hearings.

9. Budget Enactment Hearings generally begin in late February soon after the Legislative Analyst Office (LAO) issues the “Analysis of the Budget Bill”.

10. Budget Enactment DOF proposes adjustments to Governor’s Budget through Finance Letters in the Spring. DOF is required to give the Legislature most proposed adjustments by April 1. May Revise adjustments are due by May 14.

11. Budget Enactment Sub Committee completes its actions, it reports to full committee. Upon adoption by full committee, a recommendation is made to the Floor (full house). Upon a simple majority vote of the house, the Budget Bill is passed to the other house.

12. Budget Enactment A Budget Conference Committee is then appointed to work out the differences between the Senate and Assembly versions of the bill. Upon completion of action by the Conference Committee and a majority vote, the conference version is sent to both houses for approval.

13. Budget Enactment Sometimes Conference Committee does not reach final resolution on the budget. These issues are then resolved by “Leadership” or “Big 5” (Governor, Speaker of the Assembly, President Pro Temp - Senate, and minority leaders of both houses.

14. Budget Enactment When the Budget Bill receives a majority vote of each house, it is passed on to the Governor. The Constitution allows the Governor to reduce or eliminate an item of appropriation (sometimes referred to as “blue pencil”.

15. Budget Enactment DOF publishes three documents upon enactment of the Budget Act, –California State Budget Highlights –Final Budget Summary –Final Change Book

16. Budget Enactment There are generally budget changes proposed by the Governor or the Legislature which necessitate changes to existing law. If this is the case, separate “trailer bills” are introduced concurrently with the Budget Bill.

17. Legislative Process California State Legislature consists of two houses: the Senate and the Assembly. –40 Senators –80 Assembly Members The California Legislature has a two- year session.

18. Legislative Process The process begins when a Member decides to author a bill. Legislator send the idea for the bill to Legislative Counsel where it is drafted into the actual bill. Draft bill is returned to Legislator for introduction

19. Legislative Process First Reading/Introduction –A bill is introduced or read the first time when the bill number, the name of the author and the descriptive title of the bill is read on the floor of the house. The bill is then sent to the Office of State Printing. –No bill may be acted upon until 30 days after its introduction.

20. Legislative Process Committee Hearings –The bill goes to the Rules Committee of the house of origin where it is assigned to a policy committee for its first hearing. –Bills that require the expenditure of funds must also be heard in the fiscal committees.

21. Legislative Process The author presents the bill to the committee and testimony can be heard. The committee votes and passes the bill, passes it as amended, or defeats the bill. Bills can be amended several times.

22. Legislative Process Letters of support or opposition are important and should be mailed to the author and committee members before the bill is scheduled to be heard in committee. It takes a majority vote of the full committee for a bill to be passed.

23. Legislative Process Second and third reading –Bills passed by committees are read a second time on the floor of the house of origin and then assigned to a third reading. –Bill analyses are prepared prior to the third reading.

24. Legislative Process When a bill is read a third time, it is explained by the author, discussed by the Members and voted on by a roll call vote. –Bills that require an appropriation or that take effect immediately generally require 2/3 vote for passage.

25. Legislative Process Other bills generally require a majority vote. If a bill is defeated, the Member may seek reconsideration and another vote.

26. Legislative Process Once the bill has been approved by the house of origin it proceeds to the other house where the procedure is repeated.

27. Legislative Process If a bill is amended in the second house, it must go back to the house of origin for concurrence. If agreement cannot be reached the bill is referred to a two house conference committee (3 members of each house).

28. Legislative Process If both houses approve a bill, it goes to the Governor. The Governor has three choices: –Sign the bill into law –Allow it to become law without signature –Veto it A Governors veto can be overridden by 2/3 vote in both houses.

29. Legislative Process Most bills go into effect on the first day of January of the next year. Urgency measures take effect immediately after they are signed or allowed to become law without signature.

30. Local Legislators Understand your County’s protocol before establishing a relationship with your local legislator. Many counties have legislative and media contact protocols.

31. Local Legislators Once you understand your county’s protocol, you may want to ask a Supervisor to introduce you or to allow his or her name to be used as a reference for scheduling a meeting with your new legislator. You may want to invite the Supervisor to accompany you.

32. Local Legislators Local Office –Form a professional relationship with whoever runs the local legislative office(s). –Staff people are the ones who know the details on issues and serve as ‘eyes and ears’ to their bosses.

33. Local Legislators Once meeting is scheduled, research legislator’s record on child support issues and budget development, active committees as well as political, social, philosophical perspectives.

34. Local Legislators During the meeting: –Ensure they know you are a resource –Provide a short description of the program, people served and contact numbers. –Extend the invitation to directly consult with you on bills, policy issues and local impacts.

35. Board of Supervisors Board Responsibilities: –Focus on best interests of county residents –Set county priorities –Adopt county budget –Appoint LCSA Director –Approve salary ordinances and labor agreements –Approve contracts and resolutions –Provide facilities

36. Board of Supervisors Positives –Timely information –Fiscal responsibility –Satisfied clients –Good labor relations –Positive Recognition –Respect Board Expectations

37. Board of Supervisors Negatives –Surprises –Budget overruns –Complaints –Personnel issues –TV/Newspaper headlines –State intervention –Embarrassment Board Expectations

38. Board of Supervisors Board Influences –Personal experiences –Customers/Constituents –Aides and staff –Media reports –Personal relationships and interactions with LCSA and staff

39. Board of Supervisors Value of Good Relations –Community Support –Program Support –Customer Service –Operational Independence

40. Board of Supervisors Building Connections –Meet, greet and educate Set up introductory meetings Provide background including statistics, outreach materials, business cards Offer intro to Child Support session Host an office tour or Open House Provide name and direct contact for ombudsperson

41. Board of Supervisors Resolving Complaints –Respond promptly –Be clear about what you can and cannot do –Provide a timeline for follow up –Offer to contact the complainant directly –Document all case related interactions in CSE –Close the loop

42. Board of Supervisors Packaging Ideas –Align with Board interests Fatherhood Re-Entry –Align with county initiatives Succession planning –Develop collaborative projects Other county departments

43. Board of Supervisors With every interaction… –Demonstrate and practice leadership –Communicate clearly and honestly –Be aware of the larger context –Show you genuinely care about people –Model excellent customer service –Share information –Celebrate achievements –Envision the future

44. 17 Tips to Survive Leave ego at the door Run 6 miles a day or set up a wellness program Be paranoid – someone really is after you Communicate, communicate, communicate Identify areas to excel

45. 17 Tips to Survive Make friends with the CAO Identify governance structure Identify informal governance structure Develop relationship with Assistant CAO and secretary

46. 17 Tips to Survive Keep a resume and resignation letter handy Look across programs, not up a silo. Make friends with other department heads Charity begins at the office Get a mentor or be a mentor

47. 17 Tips to Survive Volunteer for assignments outside of your own department Information is power – give it away Use humor or lose it There are too many jobs to be in an unhappy one