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"We've all heard the tale of that wise old owl,
Who lived on the limb of an oak.
He listened, and watched, and heard, and saw,
But seldom ever spoke.
When things got so bad, his wisdom he shared,
And to City Watch he invoked.
It's time, he said, for your group to be heard,
So people will know there is hope!"
-Anonymous
ABOUT CITY WATCH...
City Watch, Inc. is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, volunteer operated & membership supported educational organization established in 1989. It's mission includes local government education with a focus on fiscal issues affecting the Salinas & Monterey areas.
All content on this official website is for the benefit of City Watch, Inc. and is for educational non-commercial use only.
Anyone can become a City Watch volunteer and membership is open to persons 18 years of age or older. Annual dues are $20 a member or $35 for a couple.
Send dues, charitable donations & correspondence to:
City Watch, Inc.
PO Box 3954
Salinas, CA 93912
Email:
contact@joincitywatch.org
Chairman of the Board:
Gene Lee
Phone: (831) 275-0695
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League of CA Cities Report: New State Budget is Good News for Cities & Counties
Posted on Tuesday, July 12 @ 12:26:16 EDT by Webmaster
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 The League of California Cities and local government officials received a very welcome surprise on July 6, when Gov. Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders announced a budget agreement that includes full funding of Proposition 42 transportation projects, and full, early repayment of the $1.2 billion Vehicle License Fee (VLF) gap loan. One day later, the budget was passed.
City and county officials throughout the state greeted with surprise and enthusiasm the news that full repayment of the VLF gap loan would come one year early.
"This is a win-win for the state and local governments," said League of California Cities President Pat Eklund , who is also a council member of the city of Novato. "It's a savings for taxpayers because it wipes this debt off the state books and it provides funds for important local services like law enforcement, firefighting and vital health services."
Proposition 1A passed by almost 84 percent of California voters in November 2004 and limited the state's ability to take or borrow local funds. The measure sent a clear signal that voters wanted local funds preserved to pay for local services.
 Proposition 42 was passed in 2002 by 69 percent of statewide voters. It dedicated the sales tax on gasoline to transportation projects, including repair and maintenance of local streets and roads. But it allowed the state to shift funding to the state general fund during times of state fiscal stress. FY 2005-06 will mark the first time since Prop. 42 passed that the $1.3 billion sales tax on gas will be spent only on transportation. Cities and counties will receive $254 million of that amount for local street and road maintenance projects ($126.5 million for cities).
City officials should be sure to thank Gov. Schwarzenegger and their legislators for their leadership and for producing a state budget that respects the important role local governments play in providing services and rebuilding the state's infrastructure.
* More information on the California State Budget for fiscal year 2005-2006:
California State budget summary
Prop. 42 funding for each California city
Vehicle License Fee gap loans for each city
EDITOR'S NOTE:
| State and local governments are receiving a windfall in tax revenue this year due to an improving statewide economy and a robust real estate market. The League also reported in an earlier report that cities who borrowed to cover the anticipated revenue gap will also have more money to spend with an early loan payoff. If you liked this story, be sure to read this one: The California Tax Revenue Windfall. |
* Published July 12, 2005, as edited from www.cacities.org.
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Average Score: 4.75
Votes: 4
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