I am so glad the election is finally over. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their overwhelming support of Proposition 22. It was a clear choice of the voters throughout the state to keep local funds local. It only made sense to stop the state from diverting and taking funds that cities and transit agencies count on for providing essential services to the people. Cities cannot continue to be pulled into the state’s financial abyss. Given the choices made by the voters, it is obvious that the state legislature and the new governor will have to roll up their sleeves and start making some tough decisions…now! The voters are angry; angry at the way the political parties waste time bashing each other and never getting anything done and angry at the big pension plans for public employees. It’s a bubble that will explode sooner than later. We have to stop feeding the special interest needs and look at the bigger picture .I look to Proposition 22 as the first step towards more responsible governing that will benefit the people.
Speaking of tough decisions; my colleagues and I have been spending numerous hours studying and evaluating staff’s information and options for attacking our structural deficit. Information that is necessary if we are to achieve a balanced budget and still have sufficient reserves by fiscal year 2013-14. This is not an easy process but we are determined to achieve our goal. There are many things to consider as we plan Foster City’s roadmap for the future. I encourage our residents to involve themselves in the decision making process by attending the budget meetings we have scheduled. Check the city’s website for dates of these meetings and give us your input. Our city is in relatively good shape and careful planning should minimize any service cuts and staffing changes that will have to take place.
Between the state’s borrowing and diverting of local funds in addition to the economic downturn, we continue to experience the “perfect storm” of events that have taken their toll on our city and cities throughout the state. Communities were being drained of local funds to benefit a wasteful machine in Sacramento. It’s difficult to plan when you’re not sure of what the state lawmakers will do next to create challenges for local government agencies. We know now how much more of our redevelopment funds they will take this next year. Foster City will have to give up approximately $1.1 million. And, of course my question is, then what? What other ways will state lawmakers use to take away any of our funds? It was essential to pass Proposition 22 to stop this and the voters agreed. It is, however, only one mechanism that will force the state legislature to change the way they do business. You know as well as I do that it will take time to get out of this mess. Even though the voters said enough is enough, it will be our responsibility to stay vigilant about the decisions being made in Sacramento. Lawmakers need to be reminded of the voters’ mandate about keeping local funds local. Local government agencies need to be stabilized to assure thriving communities. New values must be created to provide a more efficient local economy and provide revenues to support our essential services.
I call upon Governor elect Jerry Brown to begin the process of change in Sacramento by making sure that funding allocated for local government stays local and that special interest groups are held in check because selfish greed must stop. We can’t continue like we have been and expect to survive. Sacramento lawmakers should take a look at the way Foster City has held to its conservative financial approach to budgeting. Who knows, things may have been very different.
I appreciate your comments about this and other issues. Please contact me at lkoelling@fostercity.org.
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