HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESO 9098Resolution No. 9098
Resolution of the Council of the City Of Palo Alto _ Opposing
Proposition 26, an Initiative that Increases the Legislative Vote
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Imposes an Additional Requirement for Voters to
Approve Local Levies and Charges
WHEREAS, cities are the economic engine ofCalifomia and the vitality of cities and the
state's economic recovery is dependant on their fiscal stability and local autonomy; and
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WHEREAS, the City of Palo Alto supports protecting local control and funding for vital
local services; and
WHEREAS, the City of Palo Alto has had to cut its recent budget by nearly 20% to
ensure a balanced budget, and th(~.t 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, the City Council of the City of Palo Alto does hereby RESOL VB
as follows:
SECTION 1. The Council of the City of Palo Alto hereby opposes Proposition 26 on
the November 2,2010, California state ballot.
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