Keeping the Sacramento Fox Out of the Local Henhouse

Local Governments Join Forces Behind Statewide Initiative Protecting Local Revenue

By Supervisor Greg Cox, County of San Diego
First Vice President of the California State Association of Counties

The following commentary appeared in Business Action in Spring 2004

Suppose a person went into debt remodeling their home, and then stole their neighbor’s wallet to pay for it. That’s criminal theft! Yet the same situation has become routine in the financial relationship between the State and local government. The State has been robbing cities, counties and special districts blind for years.

Since the passage of Proposition 13, State Legislators have chosen to fill the State’s budget gaps with money from our hometown coffers. The consequences have been severe – siphoning off local revenues that are desperately needed for law enforcement, fire protection, health care, parks, libraries, transportation and other essential services.

Now counties, cities and special districts are fighting back with a statewide ballot initiative to amend the California Constitution. Called the Local Taxpayers and Public Safety Protection Act, the initiative is the brainchild of the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), the League of California Cities, and the California Special Districts Association. It takes a “stop the bleeding” approach to the State theft of local revenues by requiring voter approval for any future State Legislative actions that reduce funding for essential local services, and requiring more timely reimbursements for State-mandated programs. The measure does not raise taxes or increase local revenue. It won’t reduce funding for schools or other State services, but it does increase local control of our local tax dollars.

If the initiative obtains enough valid signatures, it will appear on the November 2004 ballot. With the State’s debt mounting daily, it’s time for voters to keep the Sacramento fox out of our local henhouse for good. If you would like more information about the initiative, please visit www.protectlocalservices.com or call Catherine Hill at (619) 295-8282.