CC Resolution 8478
RESOLUTION NO. 8478
RESOLUTION OF THE CI1Y OF CAMPBELL
IN OPPOSITION TO PROPOSED CUTS
IN LOCAL FUNDS BY THE STATE LEGISIATURE
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;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
Campbell 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 budgetary crisis,
should not use local funds to support State activities but should cut State spending, close tax
loopholes and raise its own revenues and continue the current 1/2 cent sales tax; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor and the State Legislature support
a simple majority on bond issues and taxes where the law requires such a vote, 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.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 20th day of April, 1993 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers:
Burr, Watson, Ashworth, Dougherty, Conant
NOES: Councilmembers:
None
ABSENT: Councilmembers:
None
APPROVED:
Y3-tl/t ~t!J.~d:::-
Barbara D. Conant, Mayor
ATTEST: