Just received the following announcement:
CONTACT: Tony Cardenas (714) 425-5558
* * * NEWS CONFERENCE ADVISORY * * *
Media Advisory: City Officials and Taxpayer Advocates Hold Press Conference Wednesday, July 22 at 2:00 p.m. to Condemn State Budget Deal as a Reckless and Irresponsible Ponzi Scheme
What: The state budget proposal being voted on by the Legislature later this week will put cities at grave risk. California’s legislative leaders and the Governor have agreed on a proposal to balance¨ the state budget with illegal raids of local government gas tax and redevelopment funds, as well as a “loan¨ of local government property tax dollars that is unlikely to be repaid.
The Orange County Division of the League of California Cities Board of Directors, including Laguna Hills Council Member Allan Songstad, Tustin Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Amante, Lake Forest Mayor Pro Tempore Peter Herzog, Laguna Niguel Mayor Robert Ming, Westminster Mayor Margie Rice, Fullerton Mayor Pro Tem Pam Keller, Fountain Valley Council Member Cheryl Brothers, La Palma Mayor Mark Waldman, other Orange County city officials and Taxpayer Advocates will hold a news conference on Wednesday, July 22, to denounce the Big 5 budget deal as nothing more than a Ponzi Scheme impacting local city services including public safety and transportation.
When: Wednesday, July 22, at 2:00 p.m.
Where: Orange County Division Office
600 West Santa Ana Blvd.
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Who:
Allan Songstad, Council Member, Laguna Hills
Jerry Amante, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Tustin
Robert Ming, Mayor, Laguna Niguel
Peter Herzog, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Lake Forest
Margie Rice, Mayor, Westminster
Pam Keller, Mayor Pro Tem, Fullerton
Mark Waldman, Mayor, City of La Palma
Gil Coerper, Council Member, Huntington Beach
Richard Dixon, Council Member, City of Lake Forest
City officials from throughout Orange County
F.I.S.T and other Local Taxpayer Advocate Groups
BACKGROUND: Eighty four percent of voters passed Proposition 1A in 2004, preventing state raids of local government revenues. Seventy-seven percent of California voters passed a second Prop. 1A in 2006 to ensure state sales tax on gasoline is used only for transportation projects and improvements. These overwhelming votes should have sent an unequivocal mandate to Sacramento policymakers. However, the Legislature is talking about raiding local government as part of a borrowing scheme.
Borrowing local government and transportation dollars is bad fiscal policy. The money must be repaid in three years with steep interest, which will put the state further in the red. Additionally, even a short term deferral of these funds will derail critical public safety, transportation and transit services in communities throughout Orange County. It¡¦s a direct assault on the will of California voters, who have overwhelmingly passed measures to protect these funds from such raids and borrowing.
Not sure what local governments can do at this point, but I’m sure they’ll do their best to defend their interests. Wow, what a fine mess we have found ourselves in!
I am tired of government control. With Obama’s new healthcare plan, people who go out and work for a living will be taxed by 55 percent. I am single/zero (meaning no husband or kids) by choice yet I am punished and paying for other peoples’ kids. I make $92,000 a year and out of that $92,000 (school salary) + what I make on my websites, I am really making half of that. I am to the point that I don’t even want to work anymore. Maybe we should all consider working under the table as sad and “unamerican” as that may sound, but enough is enough. I am tired of paying for illegal immigrants (I don’t care what race they are) I am NOT a racist…I am going broke trying to pay for them. It is not only the illegal immigrants, but the millions of people who have kids, but have no business having them in the first place. I love all people and races. I just don’t want to pay for them anymore. Maybe I should take all of my money out of the bank as well, work under the table and let the government fend for themselves. Sick of it. Sorry…a little off the subject, but it does have to do with the budget 🙂 Lastly, California’s generosity has taken it’s toll on CA and as a teacher, I have lost my job due to the state’s economic situation. Forgive me (right now) for not feeling very generous.
Jill.
As I travel around Orange County, and the recession lingers on, I find many people whose willingness to “hang in there” is wearing thin. We are very angry and are quick to lash out.
Look at my friend Steve Greenhut who recently penned an old concept of splitting CA into three or four new states due to our self created gridlock. Self directed, referring to our state legislature.
Feel free to use that old saying ‘I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!’
Cities are on the lowest rungs on the ladder. As such the state has all the cards until and unless those promoting this “thievery” from city coffers can be recalled or kicked out when they run for reelection.
I saw this note at 1:30pm as I was getting ready to go to the store, instead I rode my bike over there with 3 grandkids and watched.
A group of government people complaining that their share of the spoils is decreasing.
Just a TV news photo opportunity without any citizens local or otherwise.
Reminded me of a bunch of crooks arguing over the share a pot of cash after rolling a drunk.
These people should have been lowing costs per capita over the last decade or two as the economy increased in size. But instead they increased spending beyond even the most liberal needs.
Jill,
I am sorry you lost your job, but i bet your headed for something much better!
I Know exactly how you feel and we are not alone.
I really think things are about to change.
I have gotten into a fight i never wished to fight, but i did not come to this country, worked hard for everything to have someone tell me that my kids did not deserve their school, because they are the wrong skin colour.
Cook,
They reminded you of a bunch of crooks,because they are a bunch of crooks.
Did you see our Orange County city leaders sticking up for our tax dollars yesterday? Their press conference was all over the evening news, on the front page of the Registger. Those folks really did get the word out, they even had some taxpayer advocates in the back supporting them.
Good for them!