HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 08-C0770 0
RESOLUTION NO. 08-C77
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF AZUSA 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;
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"
community redevelopment funds for state programs; and
WHEREAS, in 2004 by an 84% margin of approval the voters of California approved
Proposition I 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 IA, 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 meet 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, 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
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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 Azusa 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.
RESOLVED FURTHER, that the City Manager is hereby directed to send this resolution
and communicate this Council's strong and unswerving opposition on this matter to our Legislators
and the Governor along with an expression of our continued appreciation for the Governor's and
any supportive legislators' steadfast opposition to further borrowing or seizure of these funds.
APPROVED this 2nd day of September, 2008.
seph R. Rocha, Mayor
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution No. 08-C77 was duly adopted by the City
Council of the City of Azusa at a regular meeting thereof, held on the 2"d day of September, 2008,
by the following vote of Council:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GwzALES, cARRILLo, MACIAS, HANKS, ROCHA
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
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City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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City Attorney