Economic stimulus.

Under existing law, the Department of Community Services and Development is authorized to apply for, administer, and oversee federal block grant funds and to perform various functions, including promulgating regulations, negotiating and executing contracts necessary or convenient for the exercise of its responsibilities, powers, and functions, and ensuring that federal and state standards of programmatic performance and fiscal accountability are met. This bill would state the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to ensure that any economic stimulus moneys received pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 from the federal government are directed to programs and projects that provide the greatest economic benefit to the state, while maintaining and advancing the state's long-term policy goals. The California Constitution authorizes the Governor to declare a fiscal emergency and to call the Legislature into special session for that purpose. The Governor issued a proclamation declaring a fiscal emergency, and calling a special session for this purpose, on December 19, 2008. This bill would state that it addresses the fiscal emergency declared by the Governor by proclamation issued on December 19, 2008, pursuant to the California Constitution.