February 10, 2010

SUISUN CITY — Local city council members kicked off their part of a statewide campaign to put a measure on the November ballot to keep Sacramento from raiding local cash with chants of “Stop state stealing.”

A dozen council members from Suisun City, Fairfield, Vacaville and Vallejo gathered today at the entrance of Suisun City Hall to ask residents to sign petitions to qualify the Local Taxpayer, Public Safety and Transportation Protection Act for the ballot.

The measure, if approved, would block the state from taking or borrowing local government revenues and using them to fund the state budget.

“This is to keep the state from stealing our money,” said Fairfield Councilwoman Catherine Moy.

Last year, Sacramento borrowed about $2 billion in property taxes from local governments to deal with its multibillion-dollar budget deficit. It is also taking $2.05 billion in redevelopment money.

“We have had to make tough decisions to keep our budgets balanced,” Vacaville Vice Mayor Curtis Hunt said. “The state has to make these tough decisions, too.”

Suisun City Council members were the first to throw their support behind the ballot measure in early January. Other city councils soon followed suit.

“It is incumbent on us to take care of our citizens' needs,” Suisun City Mayor Pete Sanchez said.

The reception to signature gathering so far has been good, according to Suisun City Councilman Mike Hudson.

“We have not found one person against it,” Hudson said of his own efforts. “Each person has been eager to sign.”

Supporters have until April 30 to collect the needed signatures, but their stated plan to reach that goal by mid-March.

Even if successful, the measure may not stop state legislators from trying to get their hands on local funds.

“But they are going to understand that the people of this state aren't willing to stand for that,” said Suisun City Councilwoman Jane Day.

By Ian Thompson - DAILY REPUBLIC