HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC RESO 2008-155RESOLUTION NO. 2008 — 155
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY 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" 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
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
Resolution No. 2008 — 155
August 5, 2008
Page 2
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 by balancing the State
budget with state funds.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of
National City 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 this Council's strong and unswerving opposition on this matter to
our State 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.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 5th day of August, 200
on Morrison, ya or
ATTEST:
it
Michael R. Dall. ity Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
George H. Eiser, III
City Attorney
Passed and adopted by the Council of the City of National City, California, on August 5,
2008 by the following vote, to -wit:
Ayes: Councilmembers Morrison, Natividad, Parra, Ungab, Zarate.
Nays: None.
Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
AUTHENTICATED BY:
RON MORRISON
Mayor of the City of National City, California
:CitZerk
of the Ci of National City, California
By:
Deputy
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the above and foregoing is a full, true and correct copy of
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-155 of the City of National City, California, passed and
adopted by the Council of said City on August 5, 2008.
City Clerk of the City of National City, California
By:
Deputy