CC Resolution 10945
RESOLUTION NO. 10945
A RESOLUTION OF THE CAMPBELL CITY COUNCIL OPPOSING FISCALLY
IRRESPONSIBLE STATE BUDGET DECISIONS THAT WOULD "BORROW"
LOCAL GOVERNMENT, REDEVELOPMENT AND TRANSPORTATION FUNDS
WHEREAS, on July 1, 2008 the State Legislature missed its Constitutional
budget deadline; and
WHEREAS, both the Governor and the Legislative Budget Conference
Committee have recommended balanced budgets without resorting to "loans" or
seizures of local government property tax, redevelopment tax increment and
transportation sales tax funds; and
WHEREAS, in 2004 by an 84% margin of approval the voters of California
approved Proposition 1A and sent a loud and unambiguous message to state
leaders that they should stop the destructive and irresponsible practice of taking
local government funds to finance the state budget and paper over the state deficit;
and
WHEREAS, in 2006 by a 77% margin of approval the voters of California also
approved Proposition 1A, providing similar protections to transportation funding for
state and local transportation projects, including important street maintenance and
public transit programs; and
WHEREAS, both ballot measures allow the Governor to declare a "severe state
of fiscal hardship" and "borrow" these funds if they are repaid in three years with
interest, but the Governor believes it would be irresponsible to "borrow" such funds
because it would deepen the state's structural deficit and cripple local government
and transportation services; and
WHEREAS, refusal by the Legislature to carryout its constitutional obligation to
compromise on a balanced budget is not a "severe state of fiscal hardship" and
would not justify reductions in critical local services, community revitalization
programs and infrastructure maintenance at a time when cities are struggling to
balance their own budgets during this economic down turn; and
WHEREAS, city investments in infrastructure, affordable housing and basic
public safety and other community services will create needed jobs and speed our
economic recovery; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature should balance the state budget with state revenues
and respect the overwhelming support of voters for not using local property taxes,
redevelopment tax increment and transportation sales tax funds to fund the day-to-
day operating cost of state programs; and
WHEREAS, it would be the height of fiscal irresponsibility to paper over the state
structural deficit with more borrowing, and Californians deserve state leaders who
will tell them honestly what needs to be done to produce a balanced budget; and
WHEREAS, it is time for the state of California to cut up its local government
credit cards and deal with the budget deficit in a straightforward way. Balance the
state budget with state funds.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Campbell hereby
opposes any and all efforts by state government to "borrow" or seize local tax funds,
redevelopment tax increment and transportation sales tax funds by the state
government to finance state operations. Such a move would be fiscally irresponsible
for the state and hamper effective local services and infrastructure investments.
BE IT RESOLVED FURTHER, that the Mayor or his designee is hereby advised
to send this Resolution and communicate this Council's strong opposition on this
matter to our Legislators and the Governor along with an expression of our
continued appreciation for the Governor's and any supportive legislators' steadfast
opposition to further borrowing or seizure of these funds.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 5th day of
by the following roll call vote:
August
,20~,
AYES:
Councilmembers:
Furtado, Kennedy, Low, Hernandez, Burr
NOES:
Councilmembers:
None
ABSENT:
Councilmembers:
None
APPROVED:
~~~
. onald R. Burr, Mayor
ATTEST:
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