New Ballot Initiative Proposed to Protect Local Revenues

Tuesday, a coalition, including the League of California Cities, local government, transportation and public transit leaders filed an initiative ballot measure -- called the Local Taxpayer, Public Safety and Transportation Protection Act -- with the California Attorney General’s office.

Specifically, the initiative would:

Prohibit the State from taking, borrowing or redirecting local taxpayer funds dedicated to public safety, emergency response and other vital local government services (including redevelopment). The measure would close loopholes to prevent the taking of local taxpayer funds currently dedicated to cities, counties and special districts. It would also revoke the State’s authority to borrow local government property tax funds or divert local redevelopment funds.

Protect vital, dedicated transportation and public transit funds from state raids. The measure would prevent State borrowing, taking or redirecting of the state sales tax on gasoline (Prop. 42 funds) and Highway User Tax on gasoline (HUTA) funds that are dedicated to transportation maintenance and improvements. It would also prevent the State from redirecting or taking public transit funds.

This measure would eliminate the loopholes in Prop 1A, which was previously passed by the voters to protect our local sources of revenue.