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Press
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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January
13, 2003
MAYOR BATES CALLS ON LEGISLATURE TO REJECT GOVERNOR DAVIS’ PLAN TO RAID CITY BUDGETS Governor Davis’ budget proposal would slash Berkeley’s funding by $6.8 million over the next 18 months – the equivalent firing 46 police officers. Berkeley, CA – Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates today called on the California legislature to reject Governor Davis’ proposed $4.2 billion cut in funding for California cities. If enacted, the Governor’s proposal would result in cuts of over $2.1 million from the current Berkeley budget and $4.6 million from the 2003-04 budget. By comparison, that funding is roughly equal to the cost of 46 police officers. Four years ago, the Governor and the Legislature cut the “vehicle license fee” – which is used to primarily to fund city important government services like police and fire protection – while pledging to protect city services by “backfilling” with money from the state general fund. This proposal turns its back on that promise. “Having served as a state legislator during the last recession, I know how difficult these budget decisions can be,” said Mayor Bates, a 20-year veteran of the State Assembly. “But there is no justification for the Governor to break his promise to protect this vital source of funding. Cities already face serious budget crises of their own and this proposal would make those crises much worse. I urge the Legislature to live up to its promise and reject this proposal.” However, Bates also said he believes that the “realignment” proposal to turn over responsibility for some health and human service programs to counties can be effective, if local government is provided with adequate funding. While in the Assembly, Bates helped write the successful 1991 realignment legislation on which this proposal is partly modeled. (Cost calculations provided by the Berkeley City Manager’s Office and the League of California Cities.) # # # |
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