HomeMy WebLinkAboutTC Res 1993-04-21 (2)
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RESOLUTION NO. 2917
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF
THE TOWN OF TIBURON IN OPPOSITION
TO PROPOSED CUTS IN
LOCAL FUNDS BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE
WHEREAS, the State of California failed to recognize the depth of the recession; and
WHEREAS, the State of California for the past several years has over estimated
income and sales tax revenues; and
WHEREAS, the State of California continued to pass legislation assiguing programs
to local governments without regard to costs in a faltering economy; and
WHEREAS, the State of California is trying to correct a serious budget deficit
through draconian cuts in funds allocated to local governments; and
WHEREAS, cities and counties provide essential services, including police and fire
protection, to citizens of the State of California; and
WHEREAS, cities and counties throughout California are suffering severe financial
distress, and several are on the brink of bankruptcy; and
WHEREAS, cities and counties are required to provide State-mandated services
without adequate funding; and
WHEREAS, cities have been contributing more than $240 million a year in local
dollars to the State General Fund through cigarette taxes, trial court funding and other fees
levied in the last two years; and
WHEREAS, property taxes and vehicle license fees represent a substantial
component of the funding base of cities; allowing them to continue providing essential
services, including police and fire protection; and
WHEREAS, property tax monies were dedicated to local governments after the
passage of Proposition 13 as the permanent, stable and long-term solution to local finance;
and
WHEREAS, the State of California has bridged its budgetary deficits in previous
years by raiding local funds, such as liquor license fees, highway carriers uniform business
taxes, business inventory property tax relief, cigarette taxes, drinking water regulation fees,
booking fees, and property tax administration charges, and fines and forfeitures; and
WHEREAS, raids by the State Legislature on local funds this summer would gut
support for police and fire protection with no immediate source of fiscal relief, thereby
compromising public safety;, and
WHEREAS, the Executive Board of the Association of Bay Area Governments on
June 18, 1992 expressed opposition to such practices by the Governor and Legislature;
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WHEREAS, there is a need for long-term budgetary and fiscal reform at the State
level; and
WHEREAS, the General Assembly of the Association of Bay Area Governments
adopted a resolution endorsing unity for fiscal reform on March 15, 1991; and
WHEREAS, the Executive Board of the Association of Bay Area Governments, in
cooperation with school districts, subsequently adopted on June 13, 1991, a declaration of
fiscal interdependency and statement of guiding principles for reform at the State and local
level;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Council of the Town of
Tiburon calls upon the Governor and State Legislature to refrain from raiding local funds
in an effort to bridge the budgetary gap in the short term and calls upon legislators to
develop responsible, log-term fiscal and constitutional reforms; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State, in response to its own budget crisis,
should not use local funds to support State activities but should cut State spending, close
tax loopholes and raise its own revenues and continue the current !s9 sales tax; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor and State Legislature support a
simple majority on bond issue and taxes where the law requires such a vote, make specific
revisions to the tax system to better meet the needs ofthe California economy in the future;
and
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of
Tiburon on Aoril 21, 1993 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
Thayer, Thompson, Nygren, Friedman
None
Kuhn
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MICHAEL FRIEDMAN, MAYOR
Town of Tiburon
ATTEST:
OWN CLERK