HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 2008-35RESOLUTION NO. 2008 - 35
A RESOLUTION 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 1952 the voters of California approved n 1952 the voters
approved Article XVI, Section 16 of the California Constitution, providing for tax
increment financing for community revitalization—not balancing the state budget, and
the voters never authorized the legislature to take or "borrow" community
redevelopment funds for state programs; 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,
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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 Diamond Bar 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.
SECTION 1. That the City Council of the City of Diamond Bar shall adopt the
Resolution and the City Clerk shall certify to the adoption.
SECTION 2. That the City Council of the City of Diamond Bar asks all elected local and
State officials to oppose 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.
SECTION 3 That certified copies of the resolution be circulated to the following:
League of California Cities
Joe A. Gonsalves & Son
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED THIS 19th DAY OF AUGUST, 2008.
Jack Tanaka, Mayor
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I, Tommye Cribbins, City Clerk of the City of Diamond Bar, do hereby certify that the
foregoing Resolution was passed, adopted and approved at a regular meeting of the
City Council of the City of Diamond Bar held on 19th day of August, 2008, by the
following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Chang, Herrera, Tye, MPT/Everett
M/Tanaka
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSTAINED: COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
Tommye Cnbbins, City Clerk
City of Diamond Bar
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