HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 04-076RESOLUTION 04-076
A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA
SUPPORTING PROPOSITION lA
WHEREAS, state government currently seizes more than $5.2 billion annually in local
property tax funds statewide from cities, counties and special districts, costing local governments
more than $40 billion in lost revenues over the past 12 years; and
WHEREAS, these ongoing shifts and raids by the state of local property tax funds and other
funding dedicated to local governments have seriously reduced resources available for local fire and
paramedic response, law enforcement, public health and emergency medical care, roads, parks,
libraries, transportation and other essential local services; and
WHEREAS, these funding raids also add pressure for local governments to increase fees and
taxes to maintain basic local service levels; and
WHEREAS, this drain of local resources has continued even during periods when the state's
budget has been overflowing with surpluses; and
WHEREAS, Proposition lA is a historic measure that will appear on the November 2004
statewide ballot that would limit the State's ability to take and use local govemment funding; and
WHEREAS, by protecting local government funding, Prop lA would protect local public
safety, healthcare and other essential local services; and
WHEREAS, Prop lA will not raise taxes and, in fact, will help reduce pressure for local fee
and tax increases by limiting state raids of local government funding; and
WHEREAS, Prop lA does not reduce funding for schools or any other state program or
service, and Prop lA was carefully written to allow flexibility in the event of a state budget
emergency; and
WHEREAS, Prop lA is supported by a bipartisan, diverse coalition including Governor
Schwarzenegger, Democrat and Republican legislative leaders, local government officials, public
safety representatives, healthcare, business, labor and community leaders.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Saratoga that
we hereby express strong support for Proposition lA, the statewide ballot initiative that will prevent
the state from further taking local government revenues.
RESOLVED FURTHER, that we will send a copy of this resolution to Yes on lA -Californians
to Protect Local Taxpayers and Public Safety. Fax: 916-442-3510 or 1121 L Street, #803, Sacramento,
CA 95814
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Saratoga City Council, State of California, this 15th day of
September, 2004, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN
Councilmembers Norman Kline, Nick Streit, Vice Mayor Kathleen King,
Mayor Ann Waltonsmith
None
Councilmember Stan Bogosian
None
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Ann Waltonsmith, Mayor