Loading...
R 4124RESOLUTION N0.4124 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE 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 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" local 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, this time 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 RESOLUTION NO. 4124 PAGE 2 WHEREAS, the Legislature should balance the State budget with State revenues and respect the overwhelming support of voters for not using local property taxes, 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 cutup its local government credit cards and deal with the budget deficit in a straightforward and responsible way. Balance the State budget with State funds. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande 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. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor is hereby directed to send this Resolution and communicate the Council's strong opposition on this matter to our State Legislators and the Governor along with an expression of the City's continued appreciation for the Governor's and any supportive legislators' steadfast opposition to further borrowing or seizure of these local government funds. On motion of Council Member Fellows, seconded by Council Member Guthrie, and on the following roll call vote, to wit: AYES: Council Members Fellows, Guthrie, Costello, and Mayor Ferrara NOES: None ABSENT: Council Member Arnold the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted this 26~h day of August 2008. RESOLUTION NO. y12y PAGE 3 TONY FE ,MAYOR ATTEST: ~~~ KELLY W T RE, CITY CLERK APPROVED AS TO CONTENT: STEV N ADAMS, CITY MANAGER APPROVED AS TO FORM: -, ~' !l.~ TI THY J. EL, CI Y ATTORNEY OFFICIAL CERTIFICATION I, KELLY WETMORE, City Clerk of the City of Arroyo Grande, County of San Luis Obispo, State of California, do hereby certify under penalty of perjury, that the attached Resolution No. 4124 is a true, full, and correct copy of said Resolution passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council/Redevelopment Agency of the City of Arroyo Grande on the 26"' day of August 2008. WITNESS my hand and the Seal of the City of Arroyo Grande affixed this 27`h day of August 2008. KELLY W~TMC~RE, CITY CLERK