Is Your City Ready for More Unfunded Mandates?
In 1995, Congress addressed the issue of unfunded mandates with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. The purpose of the bill was “to curb the practice of imposing unfunded Federal mandates on States and local governments…” and “to end the imposition, in the absence of full consideration by Congress, of Federal mandates on State, local governments…”...
California voters confront ‘top two’ primary
When Californians prepare to cast votes for state legislators and members of Congress in June, they’ll get a ballot unlike anything they’ve seen before. Republicans will be startled to see Democrats on their ballot. Democrats will be shocked to see GOP candidates. The top two vote-getters will advance to November, regardless of party. So when...
The future without Redevelopment
Unless the legislature and Governor act quickly, on February 1 redevelopment agencies statewide are dissolved and we enter a brave new world. These agencies were the primary source of funds local governments used to help turn around blighted neighborhoods and commercial areas and provide funds for affordable housing. They are banished with a stroke of...
Now What?
For the past 40 years, I have had the pleasure of working with thousands of local elected officials. I have managed campaigns for mayors, county supervisors, city council members and school board members. I’ve worked with elected officials to pass local tax measures to improve facilities, transportation, healthcare and public safety and I’ve conducted seminars...
Brokers’ Gifts That Keep Giving
From “The Bond Buyer” – Jan. 17th, 2012 SAN FRANCISCO — When broker-dealers give money to California school bond campaigns, it appears to be money well spent. A review of campaign finance records by The Bond Buyer found a nearly perfect correlation between broker-dealer contributions to California school bond efforts in 2010 and their underwriting...
Considering a Tax Revenue Measure?
2011 might well be considered the year that wasn’t in public revenue measure work. Many school districts, cities and other public agencies sat out the 2011 elections waiting for something better in 2012. In hindsight, those districts that did place measures on the 2011 ballot fared reasonable well – it was not a lost year. ...
TOLA: Has it really been a year?
It’s hard to believe that little more than one year ago we founded The Organizing and Leadership Academy (TOLA). Indeed, in just 14 months we’ve graduated 22 fellows. Some have left the Bay Area to do great things and others have stayed here and are doing important work on their own or on projects in...
Tramutola Connects with School Leaders at CSBA
Wow! What a whirlwind! It was great meeting so many new education leaders from throughout the State and reconnecting with long-time friends and colleagues in San Diego at the CSBA Annual Education Conference. It was heartening to see that even in this tough economy, over 2,600 board members and administrators were able to take the...
Visit us at CSBA
tramutola|advisors is proud of our 25 year history of helping public school districts achieve excellence. As we kickoff our next 25 years, we invite you to connect with us this week in San Diego at the California School Boards Association Annual Education Conference. Visit us in the Exhibitor Trade Show at our booth #1210. Check...
TOLA 3 Graduates
A year ago today, The Organizing and Leadership Academy graduated its first cohort – a diverse group of young professionals brave enough to join a new Fellowship program, passionate enough to want to change the world, and driven enough to do so. After graduating the first two classes of TOLA, our Fellows have gone on...
A new brand, a new age
TRAMUTOLA celebrates 25 years with a new brand and a new website! For 25 years TRAMUTOLA has been helping a variety of clients achieve success. It all started with a phone call. In 1984 the superintendent of schools in Davis, California, frustrated by inadequate facilities and the unwillingness of his community to support raising taxes...
Protecting School Revenue: Parcel Tax in Perpetuity
We are proud that 100% of our clients across the state enjoyed victory last Tuesday. And while each win was important, the Palos Verdes Peninsula USD parcel tax election, Measure M, merits special attention. It is the first parcel tax of its kind in the state. Measure M, requiring a two-thirds vote, passed with 68.62%...
