Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 2008-198 RESOLUTION NO. 2008- I 98 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA OPPOSING THE USE OF LOCAL FUNDS TO BALANCE THE STATE BUDGET WHEREAS, on July I, 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 or transportation sales tax funds; and WHEREAS, in 1952, California voters 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 2002, 84 percent of California voters approved Proposition 42 to protect transportation funding for state and local transportation projects, including important street maintenance and public transit programs; and WHEREAS, in 2004, 77 percent of California voters approved Proposition lA, a clear signal to state leaders that they should stop taking local government funds to finance the state budget and paper over the state deficit; 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; 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 does not justify reductions in critical local services, community revitalization programs and infrastructure maintenance as cities struggle to balance their own budgets during the current economic dOVvnturn; and WHEREAS, city investments in infrastructure, affordable housing and basic public safety and other community services create jobs and speed California's 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 taxes to fund the day-to-day operating cost of state programs; and WHEREAS, the use of these funds does not correct the State's structural budget imbalance but merely papers-over the deficit with more borrowing. Resolution No. 2008-198 Page 2 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Chula Vista 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. Presented by Approved as to form by ~ffff City Manager PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED by the City Council of the City ofChula Vista, California, this 5th day of August 2008 by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers: Castaneda, Ramirez, Rindone, and Cox NAYS: Councilmembers: None ABSENT: Councilmembers: McCann Ch~m ATTEST: -LfffluAL ,e v~~ Donna R. Norris; CMC, Interim City Clerk STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO ) CITY OF CHULA VISTA ) I, Donna R. Norris, Interim City Clerk of Chula Vista, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 2008-198 was duly passed, approved, and adopted by the City Council at a regular meeting of the Chula Vista City Council held on the 5th day of August 2008. Executed this 5th day of August 2008. JT1twL I ..IV;; A~ Donna R. Norris, CMC, Interim City Clerk