Prop. 22: Bad for Fire Districts … A Killer for Schools
League of Cities' Trojan Horse Shields Redevelopment at Expense of Public Safety
Throughout its history, California Professional Firefighters has stood up for measures that protect local government funding sources. Unfortunately, Proposition 22 - the League of California Cities' ballot measure - contains hidden measures that will hurt fire districts, siphon billions from schools, public safety and other vital services and further break our dysfunctional budget process.
California Professional Firefighters has taken an OPPOSE position on this initiative proposal. Here's why.
• Permanently Erodes Public Safety: The League's plan builds a protective wall around redevelopment funds ... special pots of money that go to developers for special projects. One out of every six dollars in property tax revenue is diverted to these untouchable funds ... money that can't be used for fire, police or other vital services.
• No Guarantees for Public Safety: Despite the sponsor's claims, the proposal doesn't offer an ounce of protection for public safety services - fire or police. In fact, it makes it harder to hold local agencies accountable for diverting money away from local public safety services.
• Encourages Local Bankruptcies: By building a brick wall around special funds, Prop. 22 invites diversion of general fund revenue into the newly protected pot of money ... the same fiscal shell game that Vallejo officials used to force bankruptcy and invalidate labor contracts.
• A Bad Deal for Fire Districts: Fire districts are already being short-changed up and down the state in their tax-sharing agreements. Los Angeles County alone has lost more than $45 million to this cash grab. Prop. 22 locks this power into the state Constitution.
• Threatens Mutual Aid and CAL FIRE Funding: Prop. 22 blows a $2 billion hole in the budget, taking a billion away from schools and threatening a whole array of vital services. Beyond 2010, the non-partisan Leg Analyst says it could cost state coffers an additional $1 billion a year.
• Ballot Box Budgeting At Its Worst: The League's initiative deforms California's already-broken fiscal system by imposing yet another layer of fiscal restrictions. Prop. 22 doesn't reform our budget process - it just digs a deeper hole.
California Professional Firefighters has been on the forefront of securing local funding that actually helps enhance public safety. But we can't endorse a measure that protects set-asides for pet projects, but offers no guarantees for public safety and further breaks our state budget.
CPF urges all firefighters to vote NO on Proposition 22.
