Editorial: Support your local officials: Sign initiative petition

Vacaville Reporter

February 17, 2010

Editorial

Published by The Reporter

Generally speaking, the last thing California's Constitution needs is another amendment, especially one put in place via the initiative process. However, when the Legislature refuses to act responsibly, then the ballot box is the only way to get the message across.

That's why city councilmembers from throughout Solano County are joining their counterparts statewide in an effort to put the Local Taxpayer, Public Safety and Transportation Protection Act of 2010 on the November ballot.

Essentially, the act forbids legislators from "borrowing, raiding or otherwise redirecting" to the state coffers money designated for local government use, including locally imposed taxes, property taxes, vehicle license fees, highway user and gas taxes, transit funds and redevelopment money.

"The whole idea is to stop the state from stealing," Suisun City Vice Mayor Mike Hudson said last week during a press conference to call attention to the drive to collect 1.1 million signatures on the initiative petition.

Suisun City, which this year lost $8 million in redevelopment funds to the state isn't alone. During the past two years, the state has taken more than $3 billion from local government coffers. That's money used to pay for essential services, such as police and firefighters, and maintain streets and roads.

As Vacaville's Vice Mayor Curtis Hunt noted last week, the raids on local funds have forced Vacaville to cut 20 percent of its budget and lay off 100 employees. If the

effort to implement the ballot initiative isn't successful, he warned, the city will "have to write another check for $9.2 million in redevelopment funds."

It's the same story throughout the state, which is why city officials are heading up the signature drive. Solano County officials hope to collect 19,000, and already Vice Mayor Hunt has turned in 350.

The level of frustration at the local level is understandable. That local officials feel strongly enough to do more than just complain is commendable. Voters who agree should support the effort by signing the petitions.