AgdaPkt 2004-04-12 - Laserfiche WebLink

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'1.6;8 How will the new Governor respond to this? Don't you think you should first give him a chance to correct the fiscal problems of the state? First, we would like to thank the Governor-elect for his positive statements in the media and during his campaign and his pledge to prdect local services. We look forward to working with Governor Schwarzenegger to achie,e his stated goal of protecting 'ocal govemments and allowing local governments to provide the se",ices that CA residents rely on "very day. The fact is, however, the voters deserve to have the final say on state actions that will erode their local tax dollars and local services - no matter who is the govemor and what the composition of the legislature. Why didn't you attempt to recollect lost ERAF property tax dollars? This measure was intentionally drafted to draw a line in the sand and prevent future state legislative raids of local government funding. While local governments and services are still suffering from the continual state raid of property taxes, given the state of California's fiscal health, we believe a more responsible approach at this time is to "stop the bleeding" at current levels. Will this measure erode funding for education? No. This measure does not reduce state funding to schools and does not reduce funding that schools receive from local property taxes. What about other state programs? Will your measure reduce funding for State programs like roads and prisons? Again, our initiative simply prevents the State from taking LOCAL revenues without a vote of the people. The state still has flexibility over its own revenues. Will this measure tie legislature's hands in passing a budget? No. Our initiative does not tell the state how to spend its own revenues. It simply prevents the State from taking funds that are designated for local governments and local services, or shifting/imposing costs to locals -- unless first approved by a vote of the people. Aren't we just adding to the state's fiscal woes by initiating further "ballot-box budgeting" that puts restrictions on how they can spend their revenues? No. The initiative does not tell the state how to spend the state's own revenues (as some propositions have done). What it does do is prevent the state from taking local revenues for state purposes without a vote of the people. It essentially confirms that local tax revenues are for local government services unless the voters decide otherwise. Does this measure prevent the new Governor or Legislature from rolling back the car tax? No. It simply ensures that local governments will be kept "whole" through a backfill or some other means. If the legislature and/or Governor want to roll back the car tax without providing backfill to local governments, they are free to do so but must get the approval of the electorate.