HomeMy WebLinkAboutID-3178-Prop-34 City of Palo Alto
COLLEAGUES MEMO
October 01, 2012 Page 1 of 2
(ID # 3178)
DATE: October 1, 2012
TO: City Council Members
FROM: Council Member Holman, Mayor Yeh
SUBJECT: COLLEAGUES MEMO FROM MAYOR YEH AND COUNCIL MEMBER
HOLMAN REQUESTING COUNCIL TO PASS A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF PALO ALTO IN SUPPORT OF PROPOSITION 34 (THE SAFE CALIFORNIA ACT)
BACKGROUND
In 1978, California voters passed the Briggs Act that broadened the use of the death penalty in
the state.
In 1989, the Palo Alto City Council asked for a moratorium on the death penalty - an indication
that the Council had previously found the death penalty wanting. The City Council also voted to
support Resolution 8302 entitled “Resolution of the Council of the City of Palo Alto In Support
of a Moratorium on the Death Penalty in California” on June 9, 2003.
Over the years, the State has struggled with budget shortfalls due to a variety of reasons,
among them the $130 million drain on the general fund directly related to the death penalty.
The State’s general fund provides support for local schools, roads, health care, law
enforcement, and capital improvement.
Specifically, State of California revenues to the City of Palo Alto in the form of capital project
grants has shrunk from $2.7 million in 2009 to zero in 2012 and 2013. (Page 36, City of Palo Alto
Fiscal Year 2013 Adopted Capital Budget). This has a direct impact on the City’s infrastructure
improvements.
State Homeland Security Grants (SHSG), typically used by cities for training, exercises, overtime
and equipment projects such as contributions to our Mobile Command Vehicle are more
competitive because fewer funds are available.
The State General Fund’s stresses also impact our local schools, a significant determinant of
local real estate values and resultant property taxes. The decrease in State Categorical Revenue
(Total State Categorical Funding After Fair Share Cuts) resulted in reductions from $13,647,283
October 01, 2012 Page 2 of 2
(ID # 3178)
in the 2006-2007 period to $2,522,738 in the 2011-2012 period. (2012 February PAUSD budget
update).
PURPOSE
Passage of Proposition 34 would create a $100 million fund for the first three years subsequent
to passage to be distributed to law enforcement agencies for the purpose of solving homicide
and rape cases and making our communities safer, funding that could benefit communities
throughout the Bay Area.
Passage of Proposition 34 will free State General Fund dollars that could potentially reinstate
previous funding or provide new revenues for local government and school district needs.
CONCLUSION
We urge our colleagues to join us and the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors in voting to
support Proposition 34.
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO,
CALIFORNIA SUPPORTING PROPOSITION 34, THE SAFE CALIFORNIA
ACT, THAT WOULD REPEAL THE DEATH PENALTY
WHEREAS, the Briggs Initiative was approved by California voters on November 7, 1978.
The Act broadened the use of the death penalty as punishment for crimes; and
WHEREAS, it created a system of nearly endless appeals by inmates, with more than 700
prisoners on death row; and
WHEREAS, implementation of the death penalty currently costs taxpayers $130 million
dollars each year more than the alternative punishment proposed by The SAFE California Act;
and
WHEREAS, Proposition 34 would create a $100 million fund to be distributed to law
enforcement agencies for the purpose of solving homicide and rape cases and making our
communities safer; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 34, would repeal the death penalty as the maximum punishment
in California, and replace it with life imprisonment without the possibility of parole; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 34 would apply retroactively to persons already sentenced to
death; and
WHEREAS, should California voters approve this initiative, the net savings to the State’s
General Fund has been confirmed by the Legislative Analyst’s Office to be $130 million
annually;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of Palo Alto, California,
supports Proposition 34, the SAFE California Act, that would replace the death penalty with
life in prison without the possibility of parole.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED: October 1, 2012
ATTEST: APPROVED:
___________________ ______________________
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________ ______________________
City Attorney City Manager
Why is the Deficit Growing –
Decrease in State Categorical Revenue
10* Includes "swapped" ARRA revenue
13,647,283
11,889,650
10,732,732
7,483,594 6,584,445
2,522,738
‐
5,000,000
10,000,000
15,000,000
2006‐07 2007‐08 2008‐09 2009‐10 * 2010‐11 2011‐12
Total State Categorical Funding After
Fair Share Cuts