Tired of watching the state reach out and grab their hard-earned
tax dollars, California cities and counties have begun to act. Led
by the League of California Cities, local governments from the
Oregon to the Mexican border are circulating petitions to bring the
issue to the voters in November.
Tired of watching the state reach out and grab their hard-earned tax dollars, California cities and counties have begun to act. Led by the League of California Cities, local governments from the Oregon to the Mexican border are circulating petitions to bring the issue to the voters in November.
Called the Local Taxpayers and Public Safety Protection Act, the petition wants to restore local control over local taxes. When the state claims money the cities and counties depend on to pay for police, fire and, in Morgan Hill’s case, recreation programs, the local governments find themselves short with no way to make up for the loss.
Since Prop. 13 passed in the 1970s, any tax increases must be passed with a two-thirds majority, which has proved exceedingly difficult to do, even during boom times. During the continuing recession, hope for success is even lower.
Morgan Hill and Gilroy have lost millions of dollars from their general funds since the state has been able to transfer city and county funds to the state treasury.
City Manager Ed Tewes was an early supporter of the petition and hopes it makes it onto the ballot. Why does the state take the money?
“Because it can,” Tewes said.
Time is of the essence, Tewes said, because up to now it costs $1.50 to certify each signature on a petition but the cost is soon going up. In this time of bloody budget cuts, every penny counts.
“It has to stop,” Tewes said. And the petition is a start.
Any citizen registered to vote in Santa Clara County is encouraged, if they want, to sign the petition. Call any City Council member: Hedy Chang, 778-0511; Greg Sellers, 778-2370; Larry Carr, 779-9622 or Mayor Dennis Kennedy, 779-7758. Chang said she will have a petition at her office for people to drop by and sign. H.C. Properties, 17715 Monterey Road at Central Avenue.
Details: 779-7271.
