Res 08-069
RESOLUTION NO 08-069
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF POWAY, CALIFORNIA,
OPPOSING STATE BUDGET PROPOSALS WHICH INCLUDE
THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA "BORROWING" LOCAL GOVERNMENT,
REDEVELOPMENT, AND TRANSPORTATION FUNDS
WHEREAS, on June 15, 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" 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, 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
Resolution No 08-069
Page 2
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 expenditure reductions 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 cut up its local
government credit cards, and deal with the budget deficit in a straightforward way
Balance the State budget with State revenues and expenditure reductions
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Poway hereby
opposes any and all efforts by State government to "borrow" or seize local tax
funds, redevelopment tax increment, and transportation sales tax funds to
finance State operations. Such a move would be fiscally irresponsible for the
State and would jeopardize effective local services and infrastructure
investments
PASSED, ADOPTED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of
Poway, State of California, at a regular meeting this 19th day of August 2008
Michael P Caf
ATTEST
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Salam Hasenin, City Clerk
Resolution No 08-069
Page 3
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
)SS
COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO)
I, Salam Hasenin, City Clerk of the City of Poway, do hereby certify under
penalty of perjury that the foregoing Resolution No 08-069 was duly adopted by
the City Council at a meeting of said City Council held on the 19th day of August
2008, and that it was so adopted by the following vote
AYES EMERY, HIGGINSON, REXFORD, CAFAGNA
NOES NONE
ABSENT BOYACK
DISQUALIFIED NONE
~~ )J~CM;-'1
Salam Hasenin, City Clerk
City of Poway