HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Resolution 13040 (Oppose Proposition 26)RESOLUTION NO. 13040
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL OPPOSING
PROPOSITION 26, "REQUIRES THAT CERTAIN STATE AND LOCAL FEES BE
APPROVED BY TWO-THIRDS VOTE. FEES INCLUDE THOSE THAT ADDRESS
ADVERSE IMPACTS ON SOCIETY OR THE ENVIRONMENT CAUSED BY THE
FEE -PAYER'S BUSINESS" ON NOVEMBER 2010 BALLOT
WHEREAS, cities are the economic engine of California and the vitality of cities and the state's
economic recovery is dependant on their fiscal stability and local autonomy; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael supports protecting local control and funding for vital local
services; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael has had to cut its budget by approximately 7% and reduce the
City workforce by 12% in order to ensure a balanced budget, and unwarranted fiscal limitations
imposed on our community will lead to additional hardship and reduced services for our city's
residents; and
WHEREAS, all local taxes, assessments, and property -related fees (such as for water and sewer
services) already are required to be subject to local voter approvals; and
WHEREAS, similar voter approval requirements do not apply to tax increases proposed by the
state legislature; and
WHEREAS, local governments have made the necessary cuts and enacted local balanced budgets
on time, which has not been the practice of the state legislature; and
WHEREAS, the state legislature has repeatedly sought to raid local funding rather that adopt
balanced budgets that reflect the state's resources; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 26 on the November 2, 2010, California state ballot while attempting
to address the authority of the state legislature to raise revenue overreaches and seeks to impose
additional and unjustified constraints on local governments; and
WHEREAS, by arbitrarily imposing a new definition of "taxes" applicable to local government
in the state Constitution, Proposition 26, if approved, will invite additional litigation and
destabilize existing funding for local public safety, health, transportation, and environmental
protection.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the San Rafael City Council hereby joins with
other cities throughout the State and the League of California Cities in opposing Proposition 26.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the San Rafael City Council hereby directs staff to notify the
League of California Cities regarding this action.
I, Esther C. Beirne, City 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 held on the 7th day of September 2010, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Brockbank, Heller, Levine & Mayor Boro
None
Connolly
COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT:
COUNCILMEMBERS:
412,,eCl-t
ESTHER C. BEIRNE, City Clerk