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<br />1 <br />2 <br />3 <br />4 <br />5 <br />6 <br />7 <br />8 <br />9 <br />10 <br />II <br />12 <br />13 <br />14 <br />15 <br />16 <br />17 <br />18 <br />19 <br />20 <br />21 <br />22 <br />23 <br />24 <br />25 <br />26 <br />27 <br />28 <br />29 <br />30 <br />31 <br />32 <br />33 <br />34 <br />35 <br />36 <br />37 <br />38 <br />39 <br />40 <br />41 <br />42 <br />43 <br />44 <br /> <br />To support the mission of GTS, in 1981, the Legislature provided a $42,500 annual <br />appropriation that was increased to $50,000 in 1994. The lack of a more adequate <br />increase in state support since 1981 has compromised the administrative, technological, <br />and service delivery capabilities of GTS, making it difficult for the organization to <br />remain at the forefront of innovative training programs for government officials and <br />employees. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />State financial support of GTS is important. Many cities and other local governments <br />find it difficult to adequately fund official and staff training. GTS provides a cost- <br />effective mechanism for taking advantage of the efficiencies of cooperation. <br /> <br />Response: The League supports a significant increase. in the state general fund <br />appropriation for the Government Training Service, sufficient to restore the <br />capacity of the organization to deliver high-quality, cost-effective training prograrr.s ~ <br />for state and local officials and employees. yJ <br /> <br />SD-22. Year 2000 Issues (ab) ( .',ttS~~. <br />[referred to Y2k Steering Committee] ~ <br /> <br />Issue: Addressing potential year 2000 (Y2k) issues poses many difficult and serious <br />problems for cities. System malfunctions or failures are almost inevitable. Despite cities' <br />best efforts to take reasonable actions to address threats to vital services, claims for <br />damages will occur. Local taxpayers will bear the burden of extraordinary legal costs as <br />cities defend themselves from multiple claims. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />As cities strive to resolve complex Y2k problems, cities may also find it necessary to <br />expend additional resources to convert or modify critical service delivery systems to <br />overcome Y2k-related emergencies. If such costs are incurred after cities have certified <br />their 1999 levies, cities will need to borrow or issue revenue anticipation notes to meet <br />those needs and immediately purchase critically needed materials or equipment. <br /> <br />Response: Congress and the state Legislature should grant cities tort immunity <br />from liability claims related to the impact of Y2k to avoid the substantial cost to <br />taxpayers of full trial and the associated legal costs. <br /> <br />Cities should also be authorized to issue revenue anticipation notes to be repaid <br />from appropriate future revenue sources and should be granted explicit exemption <br />from competitive bidding requirements to expedite purchase of critically needed <br />materials and equipment to overcome anticipated and actual Y2k-related <br />malfunctions or failures. <br /> <br />The Legislature should create a loan or grant program to assist cities in <br />addressing unanticipated Y2k-related costs. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />II <br />