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<br />McKenzie recorded a video for the Web site talking about why it is so critical that proposals to <br />borrow local government property taxes are opposed. Click here to watch it. <br />htto://www.voutube.com/watch?v= J4at o8KIM <br /> <br />8A <br />Page 4 <br /> <br />In addition to the Save Your City Web site, the League has also launched a page for Save Your <br />City on Facebook where fans can get the latest updates on the campaign and network with others <br />who are concerned about the devastating impact a state raid of local property tax revenues would <br />have on their city services. <br /> <br />'Press Conference' Continued from Page 1... <br /> <br />"The League is working on every level to protect vital city services for the millions of Californians <br />who live in cities. Asking local governments for a bailout of the state's budget is like making a <br />sub-prime loan to a borrower who has a terrible credit rating and can't afford his daily expenses. <br />Robbing communities of gas tax funds that have been used for years to repair local streets is <br />short-sighted and will harm both the state's economy and the state's revenues. This is bad policy <br />from the start and California's cities shouldn't be forced to continue rescuing the state from its <br />self-inflicted financial misfortunes," said League President and Rolling Hills Estates Mayor Judy <br />Mitchell. <br /> <br />There were approximately 100 city officials at the news conference. Along with Mayor Sanders, <br />other speakers included League President and Rolling Hills Estates Mayor Judy Mitchell, League <br />Second Vice President and Modesto Mayor Jim Ridenour, Escondida Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler and <br />San Diego Assistant Police Chief David Ramirez. <br /> <br />The mayors and council members at Thursday's news conference in San Diego emphasized how <br />their cities are already in fiscal distress and that forcing cities to loan the state money now will <br />have dire consequences for public safety and other vital services. Cities have been making tough <br />budget cutting decisions such as employee layoffs and furloughs, reduction of public safety <br />services, project delays and program reductions. <br /> <br />"We want our state leaders to hear loud and clear that taking our local property tax and gas tax <br />revenues will mean more layoffs, fewer police officers, few fire fighters, fewer potholes filled, <br />fewer programs to keep our youth engaged, shorter library hours and more. Cities have to <br />balance their budgets and can't shift the burden on to someone else's shoulders. It's time for the <br />state to bear the burden of its budget mess and leave cities to provide the services our residents <br />rely on us to provide: said League Executive Director Chris McKenzie. <br /> <br />4 <br />