In my last council corner I discussed the plight of our cities and the challenges we all face with the reduction of revenue due to the economic uncertainties. It’s not enough that the economy affects our way of life; we find ourselves dealing with another entity draining the life out of our cities and that is the State Legislature. To put it very simply, local government revenues have been used as the state’s “overdraft” protection for too long. Cities cannot continue being squeezed in order to help close the state’s budget deficit. I think we can all agree that this behavior must stop.
It is difficult to understand the continued imposition by state lawmakers on local government. Last week we dodged another bullet coming from Sacramento in the form of a bill AB 155 which would have required cities seeking bankruptcy protection to first be reviewed by a state appointed commission. This bill would have undermined the benefits of federal bankruptcy protection. It would have imposed unreasonable restrictions on local government finance and authority. More than 200 local agencies in California opposed this bill. Your local councilmembers contacted state senators and encouraged a no vote. Thankfully, AB 155 did not pass… for now!
This posturing by state officials can be construed as a slap back at local government agencies because of Proposition 22. And why would that be? It’s because Prop 22 will no longer allow the state the ability to take our needed funds. Prop 22, better known as the Local Taxpayer, Public Safety and Transportation Protection Act is all about protecting private and public jobs. It will stop the state raids on redevelopment funds as well as transportation and local government funds. As you may remember, the state took $5.6 million from Foster City’s Redevelopment agency this year. These are funds cities use to invest in infrastructure projects and that create jobs in the construction industry.
Proposition 22 is a very important initiative for voters to consider on the November ballot. We have to make changes in Sacramento and we seem to keep spinning our wheels on how to find the right solutions for the state’s problems. We hear a lot of rhetoric but no rational actions are being put into play. We must start somewhere and Prop 22, in my opinion, could be the beginning of a long and arduous process to change the way Sacramento does business.
I am pleased to see the increasing positive momentum being garnered in favor of Proposition 22. A September 5th , editorial in the Mercury News identifies opponents to Prop 22 as saying that “the measure would blow a hole in the state budget”. The article continues,” “But that’s like saying a bank robber should get to keep what’s he’s stolen because he needs the money to pay his bills.” It makes no sense.
When it means keeping local government funds local, there shouldn’t be any opposition. Chambers of Commerce, local news agencies and other groups, are joining the hundreds upon hundreds of people throughout California in favor of passing Proposition 22. It makes sense!
Efforts to protect local government funds are essential. Bottom line, Proposition 22 closes the loopholes that make these state raids possible. Right now local elected officials have a tremendous challenge staying focused on their own budget issues and the quality of life in their own communities. It is essential to keep local control, and the commitment to protecting local control is strong.
I am serving as the League of California Cities Peninsula Division Campaign Chair for Proposition 22 and I’d like to talk with you about this initiative.
If you have questions or inquiries, I’d like to hear from you and your opinion on this and other issues. You can email me at lkoelling@fostercity.org
print 