AgdaPkt 2004-08-23 - Laserfiche WebLink

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1.A'1 Frequently Asked Questions About Proposition 1 A Q: What would Prop 1A do? A: Proposition 1 A would prevent the state legislature from taking and using local tax dollars that local governments use to provide essential services like fire and paramedic response, law enforcement, emergency and trauma care, parks, roads, libraries, transportation and more. Specifically, Prop 1A prohibits the State Legislature's ability to lower the existing city, county and special district's existing share of sales taxes, property taxes and VLF revenues. Proposition 1A also requires the state to reimburse local governments for the cost of programs and services it forces cities, counties and special districts to provide. If the state fails to provide reimbursement to local governments for state-mandated local programs, the mandate must be suspended, except for specified employee rights and benefits. Q: Why is Prop 1 A needed? A: For more than a dozen years, in both good fiscal times and bad, the state legislature has been raiding local tax dollars to pay for state responsibilities - more than $40 billion over the past 12 years. This practice has starved local communities of the funds needed to pay for vital services like fire protection, paramedic response, law enforcement, health care, parks and libraries. If these funding raids continue, it could mean fewer firefighters, fewer law enforcement officers and longer waits at emergency rooms -- or higher local taxes and fees. The system is broken. Voters must act now to protect local revenues for local services from being taken by the State. Q: Who supports Prop 1A? A: Proposition 1A is a historic, bipartisan accord reached among local government leaders, public safety representatives, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Democrat and Republican state legislators, healthcare advocates, taxpayer groups, business and labor leaders, and many more. The coalition in support of Prop 1A is growing daily. Q: Will Prop 1A raise taxes? A: NO. Proposition 1A will not raise taxes. It simply ensures that existing local tax dollars continue to be dedicated to local services. In fact, Prop 1 A helps ensure local governments aren't forced to raise taxes or fees to make up for revenue raided by the State. Paid for By Yes on 1A Californians to Protect Local Taxpayers and Public Safety, Sponsored by a coalition of local government organizations, League of California Cities (non-public funds account), California State Association of Counties (non-public funds account), and the California Special Districts Association (non-public funds account) 1121 L Street, Suite 803· Sacramento, CA 95814· Phone (800) 827-9086· Fax (916) 442-3510 www,YesonProp1A.com .. ..- - _. ...- ._..-. __ ... ,_,.". ..._.............--." .. ~'. ..<-.._._...___._...........n_...n "