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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 4.A 10/17/20054.A October 17, 2005 Petaluma Citv Council Resolution to OQDose Proposition 76 Whereas, Proposition 76 will reduce funding for vital local programs including police and fire protection, education and health care, resulting in fewer police on the streets and fewer firefighters able to respond to emergencies; and, Whereas, Proposition 76 will allow the Governor to unilaterally reduce or eliminate subventions to cities and counties for local public safety through the Citizen's Options for Public Safety (COPS) program which will provide $100 million in FY 2005-6, and for transportation projects provided by Proposition 42; and, Whereas, Proposition 76 will cap spending supported by voter -approved taxes, such as Proposition 111's gas tax that supports local and state transportation programs, Proposition 10's tobacco tax for early childhood programs, and Proposition 99's tobacco tax for anti-smoking programs and indigent medical care; and, Whereas, Proposition 76 casts uncertainty on the exposure of Proposition 172 voter -approved revenues for local public safety functions to future reductions by action of the spending cap provisions; and, Whereas, Proposition 76 authorizes the Governor to ignore all other provisions of the California Constitution when making reductions to appropriations in the state budget, which would allow the elimination of state reimbursement to local government for revenues lost as a result of the homeowner's property tax exemption which, for cities alone, totals $100 million annually; and, Whereas, Proposition 76 authorizes the Governor to delay or eliminate the repayment for property tax shifts from local governments to the state which are allowed under Proposition 1A approved by the voters in 2004; and, Whereas, Proposition 76 does damage to our schools by drastically undermining the voter -approved Proposition 98, which will lead to more overcrowded schools, teacher layoffs, and fewer textbooks and classroom materials; and, Whereas, Proposition 76 will cap spending for support of the health, mental health and human service programs that were "shifted" from the state to counties as a part of the 1991 realignment, including In -Home Supportive Services, Foster Care, Child Protective Services and basic mental health programs, placing greater fiscal pressure on local negotiations related to redevelopment and annexation; and, Whereas, Proposition 76 will cap tax assistance programs available for senior citizens in California including the Senior Citizens' Property Tax Assistance program for seniors, blind and disabled residents, the Senior Citizens' Property Tax Deferral Program for low-income and disable homeowners, and the Senior Citizens' Renters' Tax Assistance program for seniors, blind and disabled renters; and, Now, therefore be it resolved that, the City Council of the City of Petaluma opposes Proposition 76 on the November 8, 2005, special election ballot.