Right Column

Press Release - July 27, 2004

State and Consumer Services Agency Secretary Fred Aguiar Comments on Highlights of Budget Deal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 27, 2004

Sacramento - State and Consumer Services Agency Secretary, Fred Aguiar, today noted highlights of the recently announced budget agreement, focusing on state surplus properties and professional licensing applications.

"This budget agreement reflects Governor Schwarzenegger's commitment to effectively manage the state's assets and eliminate waste," said Aguiar.

The budget agreement includes trailer bill language that will allow Department of General Services (DGS) to liquidate surplus properties, potentially bringing in tens of millions of dollars to help the state budget crisis. The Governor's Office worked with legislative leaders to approve language that gives DGS the ability to overcome previous obstacles that held surplused properties in limbo, for nearly two decades in some cases.

Specifically, changes will include:

• Surplus property will not be sold at less than fair market value.
• State agencies will no longer have the right of first refusal to acquire property.
• Local governments will retain a limited right of first refusal, but will have only 90 days to close escrow before the state begins taking offers from private parties.

Another major benefit of this budget agreement is special funding to help expedite professional licensing applications, without fee increases.

"I am pleased that this budget agreement does not raise fees on California's professional licensees and continues to place consumer protection as a high priority," said Aguiar.

The Department of Consumer Affairs is responsible for overseeing the licensing of 2.3 million individuals covering more than 230 different professions in this state.

"This budget also helps energize the state's economy by putting more Californians to work in their chosen field -- faster," said Aguiar.

This year's budget will permanently fund a program implemented this past spring that eliminated a huge backlog of licensing applications that had accumulated over time.

"By permanently funding this effort on an ongoing basis, we will help ensure that backlogs will not return," continued Aguiar.

Prior to the aggressive effort this past spring, there were more than 18,000 nurses, barbers, cosmetologists and contractors waiting to become licensed. In some cases, the delays were projected to be as long as 13 months. To more quickly process licensing applications, this year's budget designates an additional:

• $310,000 for the Board of Vocational Nurse and Psychiatric Technician Examiners to address licensing workload.
• $208,000 for the Board of Accountancy to provide funding to address workload.
• $893,000 for the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology to provide funding to address ongoing workload in the areas of establishment inspections, examinations and license applications.
• $955,000 Board of Registered Nursing to provide funding to address ongoing workload.

 

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