CSAC President Gary Wyatt of Imperial County, First Vice President Tony Oliveira of Kings County, and Second Vice President John Tavaglione of Riverside County spent time with Governor Schwarzenegger on Wednesday, June 10, urging his Administration and the Legislature to find state budget solutions that minimize the impact to the residents. They emphasized that counties need to be a part of the solution, not part of the problem.
It was pointed out that many of the current budget proposals to address the state’s $24.3 billion deficit would devastate counties’ ability to provide vital services for residents. It’s estimated that more than $8 billion is at stake for counties with the current proposals on the table – a combination of cuts, borrowing, cost shifts and deferrals.
“Counties understand that we are partners with the state in the delivery of critical statewide services, and we want to work together to find a balanced approach to this unprecedented budget crisis,” said Imperial County Supervisor and CSAC President Gary Wyatt in a press release. “We know difficult decisions need to be made and there are no easy answers. But counties cannot bear the brunt of cuts, cost shifts, borrowing and deferrals and still be expected to adequately provide services, especially as we grapple with our own significant deficits.”
Among the key points addressed with the Governor:
- Counties recognize reductions in state programs may be necessary, but such reductions should be temporary since they would result in a shift of financial responsibility to counties that will cause an increase in demand for county services.
- Counties oppose the borrowing of Proposition 1A of 2004, which voters overwhelmingly supported to protect local government revenues.
- The $1 billion annual loss to counties and cities of the local share of the gas tax, or Highway Users Tax Account (HUTA), will result in significant, statewide economic impacts and impair the safety needs of the transportation system. It’s estimated that more than 3,900 jobs would be lost across county public works departments, with a ripple effect throughout the public and private sectors. The loss of gas tax revenues would further delay economic recovery.
- Counties are concerned about the potential transfer of new or additional program responsibilities to counties without a new, dedicated, statewide revenue source to accomplish the task. In addition, such a complicated transaction and realignment between levels of government would require adequate time for the mechanical and technical work necessary to assure programs work. This process cannot be accomplished overnight or in a matter of a few weeks.
While in Sacramento this week, CSAC officers also met with members of the Budget Conference Committee and other members of the Legislature.
