HomeMy WebLinkAbout044-93RESOLUTION NO. 44-93
OPPOSING PROPOSED CUTS IN LOCAL FUNDS BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE
WHEREAS, the State of California failed to recognize the depth of the recession; and
WHEREAS, the State of California for the past several years has overestimated income and
sales tax revenues; and
WHEREAS, the State of California continued to pass legislation assigning programs to
local governments without regard to costs in a faltering economy; and
WHEREAS, the State of California is trying to correct a serious budget deficit through
Draconian cuts in funds allocated to local governments; and
WHEREAS, cities and counties provide essential services, including police and fire
protection, to citizens of the State of California; and
WHEREAS, cities and counties throughout California are suffering severe financial
distress, and several are on the brink of bankruptcy; and
WHEREAS, cities and counties are required to provide State-mandated services without
adequate funding; and
WHEREAS, cities have been contributing more than $240 million a year in local dollars
to the State General Fund through cigarette taxes, trial court funding, and other fees
levied in the last two years; and
WHEREAS, property taxes and vehicle license fees represent a substantial component of
the funding base of cities, allowing them to continue providing essential services,
including police and fire protection; and
WHEREAS, property tax monies were dedicated to local governments after the passage
of Proposition 13 as the permanent stable and long-term solution to local finance; and
WHEREAS, the State of California has bridged its budgetary deficits in previous years by
raiding local funds, such as liquor license fees, highway carriers uniform business taxes,
business inventory property tax relief, cigarette taxes, drinking water regulation fees,
booking fees, and property tax administration charges and fines and forfeitures; and
WHEREAS, raids by the State Legislature on local funds this summer would gut support
for police and fire protection with no immediate source of fiscal relief, thereby
compromising public safety; and
WHEREAS, there is a need for a long-term budgetary and constitutional reform at the
State level; and
WHEREAS, the Danville Town Council adopted a resolution endorsing unity for fiscal
reform on May 18, 1993; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED that the Danville Town Council calls upon the Governor and State Legislature
to refrain from raiding local funds in an effort to bridge the budgetary gap in the short
term and calls upon legislators to develop responsible, long-term fiscal and constitutional
reforms; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State, in response to its own budget crisis, should
not use local funds to support State activities but should cut State spending, close tax
loopholes and raise its own revenue; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor and the State Legislature make specific
revisions to the tax system to better meet the needs of the California economy in the
future; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all unfunded State mandates should be suspended.
APPROVED by the Danville Town Council at a Regular Meeting held on May 18, 1993,
by the following vote:
AYES: Shimansky, Greenberg, Lane
NOES: Ritchey
ABSTAINED: None
ABSENT: Doyle
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
//~ity Attorney
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Resolution No. 44-93 Page 2