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8- A -20 QUOTESfrom Page 20 0 0. 0 0. 6 0 0 0 6 0.. 6 6*.. . 0• ..... .. 0 0 0 0. 0... 4 0 0 4... 4 Ventura County Star, 3/9/03, State lawmak- ers urged to pull the VLF trigger –Oped by by Rick TerBorch, president, California Police Chiefs Association; Mike Tracy, Ventura police chief; Art Lopez, Oxnard police chief; Bob Gonzales, Santa Paula police chief; and Mark Layhew, Simi Valley police chief. "One of the most highly charged budget debates in Sacra- mento is about whether to restore the vehicle license fee to previous levels. Put simply, restoring the VLF is the most important law- enforcement initiative in recent memory. Gov. Gray Davis should act today to "pull the VLF trigger" and restore the VLF to previous levels to protect public safety. Public safety is our life's work and the primary reason for this commentary. But we're also writing as citizens of California who care deeply about our great state." Ventura County Star, 3/9/03, Car -tax debate short on facts, Oped by Son. Tom McClintock. "What do public officials really mean when they say, 'If we don't raise taxes, police and fire protec- tion will be devastated?' They mean that police and fire protection are their lowest priorities and the very first things they will cut in a pinch. I worry about such people in positions of authority." Sacramento Bee, 316103 - Daniel Weintraub: Messing with primal forces in the Legislature. "Canciamilla has suggested that the Assembly suspend all other law- making until a budget is adopted. Banning cell phones in cars or legalizing the possession of ferrets, he says, can wait. Instead, the Legislature should spend its time on a comprehensive review of every program to look for savings that can be accomplished without harming those who depend on state services. So far, he's been rebuffed." Oakland Tribune 3/2/03, Where is the 'substantial structural reform'? "'Structural reform' has been seemingly forgotten. The "SR" words don't cross Gray Davis' or anyone else's lips anymore. It appears, as they say, DOA (dead on arrival). "Too bad. Getting California finances off the roller coaster of extreme highs and lows that we've been riding the past couple decades — since passage of Proposition 13, some say — is a much - needed step toward a more stable, predict- able flow of funds. We need a system that can be relied on to the degree that when we pour money into improving education, we're able to pay for It years down the road instead of being forced to ax it a couple years later. "'Substantial structural reform' is an apt idea for our times. Gov. Davis will hopefully resurrect it. If not, perhaps a legislative leader will. State finances need a stabilizing change." San Jose Mercury News 3/2/03, State budget Journey: We're not even close. "Too often — such as last year when the budget wasn't approved until September —the Legislature is blithely indifferent to the harm its indecision causes schools and local governments." Sacramento Bee, Daniel Weintraub Col- umn, March 4, 2003: Senate Republican plan relies on deficit spending.... "it's now possible to envision a solution that both parties might live with. Take Brulte's multi -year strategy. Add in revenue provisions Democrats say they can enact without Republican votes, or with no vote at all, including an increase in the vehicle license fee. Approve every budget cut the governor already has recommended. If all this were done, the budget would probably be balanced by June 2005." Articles San Diego Union Tribune 3/12103, Raise taxes temporarily to boost slumping economy UCLA report advises. "As states grapple with a choice between raising taxes or cutting spending to balance budgets, economists at UCLA's Ander- son School have some advice – raise taxes..... Temporary tax increases on the wealthiest resi- dents is the best way to keep state economies stable while broader economic forces balance themselves in the next few years, according to the UCLA Anderson Forecast, a widely watched look - ahead on the economy." Continued on Page 7 PAGE 6 /PRIORITY FOCUS Visit the League's Official Web Site• - www.cacities.org