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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSB 231 (Oppose)Jimmy Lin Mayor Ruth M. tow Mayor Pro Tern Carol Herrera Council Member Nancy A. Lyons Council Member Steve Tye Council Member March 30, 2017 City of Diamond Bar 21810 Copley Drive • Diamond Bar, CA 91765-4178 (909) 839-7000 o Fax (909) 861-3117 www. Diamond BarCA.gov The Honorable Senator Robert Hertzberg State Capitol Building, Room 4038 Sacramento, CA 95814 Dear Senator Hertzberg, The City of Diamond Bar respectfully opposes SB 231, which proposes an amendment to the California Constitution that would expand the definition of sewer service to include stormwater management. This change would allow agencies to increase or introduce new assessments by a protest vote rather than at the ballot box. While we acknowledge and appreciate your continued efforts to secure funding to address the significant economic burdens imposed on cities by the Los Angeles County 2012 MS4 Permit and will continue to work cooperatively to develop solutions to this challenge, the bill violates the intent of Proposition 218 in bypassing the right of the people to vote on taxes and assessments. Such decisions should not be made via the legislative process, but by the voters themselves. The City of Diamond Bar strongly supports local control, and this philosophy extends to the right of voters to weigh in on taxes and assessments. Therefore, the City of Diamond Bar respectfully opposes SB 231. Sincerely, Jimmy Lin Mayor, City of Diamond Bar CC: City Council City Manager Jennifer Quan, League of CA Cities California Contract Cities Association