HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Resolution 11461 (Taxpayer & Public Safety Protection Act)RESOL UTION NO. 11461
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
TO SUPPORT A FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN FOR THE
2004 LOCAL TAXPAYER AND PUBLIC SAFETY PROTECTION ACT
WHEREAS, the State government annually seizes over $800 million in city
property taxes, Statewide, costing cities over $6.9 billion in lost revenue over the past
twelve years; and
WHEREAS, in adopting this year's State budget, the Legislature and Governor
appropriated local vehicle license fee backfill and redevelopment property tax funds that
are needed to finance critical City services; and
WHEREAS, the Governor's lowering of the vehicle license fee has put $4 billion
of local government revenues at risk; and
WHEREAS, the deficit financing plan in the State budget depends on a local
property and sales tax swap that leaves City services vulnerable if the State's economic
condition fails to improve; and
WHEREAS, the adopted State budget assumes an ongoing structural deficit of at
least $10 billion, putting 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
the Governor to do so; and
WHEREAS, the voters of the State of California are the best judges as to whether
local tax funds should be diverted, confiscated, shifted, or otherwise taken to finance an
expanding State government; and
if HEREAS, the League of California Cities, acting in concert with the California
State Association of Counties and California Association of Special Districts, have
partnered to place the 2004 Local Taxpayer and Public Safety Protection Act on the
November, 2004 ballot; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael has voted unanimously to support such a
Statewide ballot initiative to require voter approval before State government may take tax
funds.
�� ' ; AS
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of
San Rafael will sign a letter supporting a fundraising campaign to place the Local
Taxpayer and Public Safety Protection Act of 2004 before the voters in November of this
year.
FURTHER, BE IT RESOLVED, that, as mandated by State law, the City
Council directs that no City funds, City staff or City resources shall be used, either
directly or indirectly, in the production or distribution of this letter in particular, or in the
support of the Local Taxpayer and Public Safety Protection Act of 2004 in general.
I, JEANNE M. LEONCINI, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that
the foregoing resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular
meeting of the City Council of said City held on Monday, the 15th day of December,
2003 by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Cohen, Heller, Miller, Phillips & Mayor Boro
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT.- COUNCILMEMBERS: None
JEA !PE M. LEONCINI, City Clerk