HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2003-205 N.C.S. 10/27/2003+ Resolution No.2003-205N.C.S.
of the City of Petaluma, California
SUPPORTING A STATEWIDE BALLOT INITIATIVE
TO REQUIRE VOTER APPROVAL BEFORE
STATE GOVERNMENT MAY TAKE LOCAL TAX FUNDS
WHEREAS, State government annually seizes over $800 million in City property tax
funds (ERAF) statewide, costing cities over $6.9 billion in lost revenues over the past 12 years
and seriously reducing resources available for local public safety and other services; and,
WHEREAS, in adopting the State budget this year the Legislature and Governor
appropriated local. vehicle license fee backfill and redevelopment property tax funds that are
needed to finance critical City services such as public safety, parks, street maintenance, housing
and economic development; and,
WHEREAS, the deficit financing plan in the State budget depends on a local property
and sales tax swap that leaves City services vulnerable if the State's economic condition fails to
improve; and,
WHEREAS, the adopted State budget assumes an ongoing structural budget deficit of at
least $8 billion, putting City resources and services at risk in future years to additional State
revenue raids; and,
WHEREAS, it is abundantly clear that State leaders will continue to use local tax funds
to balance the State budget unless the voters limit the power of the Legislature and Governor to
do so; and,
W>FIEREAS, the voters of California are the best judges of whether local tax funds
should be diverted, confiscated, shifted or otherwise taken to finance an ever-expanding State
government; and,
WHEREAS, the General Assembly of Voting Delegates of the League of California
Cities at its September 10 2003 meeting voted to sponsor a statewide ballot initiative to empower
the voters to limit the ability of State government to confiscate local tax funds to fund State
government; and,
WHEREAS, the League has requested that cities offer support for a November 2004
ballot initiative that will allow voters to decide whether State government may appropriate local
tax funds to fund State government operations and responsibilities.
Resolution No. 2003-205 N.C.S.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Petaluma, that the City hereby expresses its strong support for a statewide ballot initiative to
allow voters to decide whether local tax funds may be taken, confiscated, shifted, diverted or
otherwise used to fund State government operations and responsibilities; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council and staff are authorized to
provide impartial informational materials on the initiative as may be lawfully provided by the
City's representatives. No public funds shall be used to campaign for or against the initiative;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the residents of the City are encouraged to become
well informed on the initiative and its possible impacts on the critical local services on which
they rely; and
BE IT FiTRTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager (or Clerk) is hereby directed to
send a copy to the Executive Director of the League of California Cities.
Under the power and authority conferred upon this Council by the Charter of said City.
REFERENCE: I hereby certify the foregoing Resolution was introduced and adopted by the Approved as to
Council of thg,~~ity of Petaluma at ~(R~~~~ar) (Adjourned) (Specia~meeting form
on the .......................... day of ........... ~........................................, 20......, by the
following vote: •••••••• •••••••
ity Attorney
AYES: Canevaro; Mayor Glass, Healy, Moynihan, Vice Mayor O'Brien, Torliatt
NOES: None
ABSENT: N ne ~A`B_S,TA)IN:
ATTEST: ............ ..:..................~~1.':!: Y!'.v.........................
Cit Clerk
Harris
Mayor
Council File .. ..
20(13 -2~0~'.......; .. .
Res. No ...................................N.C.S.