HomeMy Public PortalAbout2004-057 (04-20-04)Resolution No. 2004.057
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LYNWOOD
SUPPORTING A STATEWIDE BALLOT INITIATIVE TO REQUIRE VOTER APPROVAL
BEFORE THE STATE GOVERNMENT MAY TAKE LOCAL TAX FUNDS
WHEREAS, The State of California annually seizes more that $5.2 billion local
property tax funds (ERAF) statewide, which have cost local governments more than $40
billion in the lost revenues over the past 12 years, including more than $800 million annually
for cities, or $6.9 billion over the past 12 years, thereby seriously reducing resources
available for local public safety and other services; and
WHEREAS, The drain of local resources has continued even during pedods when
the state's budget has been overflowing with surpluses as well as during difficult economic
times; and
WHEREAS, The Governor's budget proposal for FY 2004-05 would increase the
amount of the ERAF property tax shift by $1.3 billion on a permanent basis, an increase of
approximately 25 percent over the current ERAF shirt; and
WHEREAS, The proposed FY 2004-05 budget would also, for the first time,
permanently extend the ERAF shift to redevelopment agencies at an initial cost of $135
million a year undermining the ability of cities to leverage private investments in job-creating
economic activities and resulting in approximately $1.3 billion in lost bonding capacity, $810
million to $945 million in lost public and private investments, 12,000 to 16,000 lost jobs,
primarily in construction, and related lost income taxes to the state of California; and
WHEREAS, The current state budget appropriates local vehicle license fee backfill
and redevelopment property tax funds that are needed to finance critical city services such
as public safety, parks, street maintenance, housing and economic development; and
WHEREAS, The adopted FY 2003-04 state budget assumes an ongoing structural
budget deficit of at lease $8 billion, and the Legislative Analyst estimates that full
implementation of the Governor's proposed budget for FY 2004-05, including passage by the
voters of his $15 billion deficit financing bond, would result in an ongoing structural deficit of
$7 billion, continuing to put city resources and services at risk in future years to additional
state revenue raids; and
WHEREAS, It is abundantly clear that state leaders will continue to use local tax
funds to balance the state budget unless the voters limit the power of the Legislature and
Governor to do so; and
WHEREAS, The voters of California are the best judges of whether local tax funds
should be diverted, confiscated, and shifted or othenNise taken to finance an ever-expanding
state government; and
WHEREAS, The General Assembly of Voting Delegates of the League of California
Cities at its September 10, 2003, meeting voted to sponsor a statewide ballot initiative to
empower the voters to limit the ability of state govemment to confiscate local tax funds to
fund state government; and
WHEREAS, The League has requested that cities offer support for the Local
Taxpayers and Public Safety Protection Act, a November 2004 ballot initiative, also known
as the LOCAL initiative, that will allow voters to decide whether state government may
appropriate local tax funds to fund state government operations and responsibilities.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LYNWOOD DOES
HEREBY FIND, PROCLAIM, ORDER, AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. That the City hereby expresses its strong support for the Local
Taxpayers and Public Safety Protection Act, also known as the LOCAL initiative, a statewide
ballot initiative to allow voters to decide whether local tax funds may be taken, confiscated,
shifted, diverted or otherwise used to fun state government operations and responsibilities.
Section 2. That the City Council and staff are authorized to provide impartial
informational materials on the initiative as may be lawfully provided by the city's
representatives. No public funds shall be used to campaign for or against the initiative.
Section 3. That the residents of the City are encouraged to become well
informed on the initiative and its possible impacts on the critical local services on which they
rely.
Section 4. That the City Manager or her designee is authorized to carry out any
transactions as so ordered by this resolution.
Section 5. That this resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 20th day of April ,2004.
ATTEST:
ANDREA L. HOOPER, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
ilTY-ATTORNEY
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
} ss.
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES }
I, the undersigned, City Clerk of the City of Lynwood, do hereby certify that the
foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Lynwood
at a regular meeting held on the 20th day of Apt-i 1 ,2004.
AYES: COUNC! I_HEN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
PEDROZA, RODRIGUEZ, SANTILLAN,
ONE
~,NDREA L. HOOPER, ClTY'CLERK
VASQUEZ AND BYRD
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
} ss.
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES }
I, the undersigned, City Clerk of the City of Lynwood, do hereby certify that the
above and foregoing is a full, true and correct copy of Resolution No. 2004.057
on file in my office and that said Resolution was adopted on the date and by the vote
therein stated.
Dated this 20th day of Apri 1
ANDREA L. HOOPER, CITY ~LERK
2004.