Keeping Danville Financially secure

By Michael J. "Mike" Doyle

The failure of our representatives in Sacramento to balance their budget they must raid or "steal" the coffers of all local governments. We, all the cities and Towns of California, are treated by the so called leaders in Sacramento as their own "ATM" Machine. It's time they tore up the credit card and get badk to working for the people of California

Local governments like Danville must pass balanced budgets by July 1 of each year. Like the state, local governments are affected by the economy and its effect on revenues. When this happens, your local elected representatives have two choices + spend less, or ask you the taxpayers for more money. This year in Danville we chose to spend less.

Unfortunately, the State is once again considering diverting local government funds to help balance their budget - even though voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 1A in 2004 in order to prevent this from happening. Over the past several years, Sacramento has taken almost $9 million in local funds from Danville to help balance their budgets. This is akin to using someone else's credit or debit card. This year, they are considering "borrowing" over $1.3 million in property tax and transportation funds from Danville, and permanently shifting redevelopment funds that would result in the loss of over $3 million over the life of our redevelopment agency - funds that should be used to improve our downtown and our local economy.

Borrowing or taking money from local government is irresponsible and harmful to local services and the local economy. Structural budget reform is needed in Sacramento. It's time for legislators to cut up the local government credit card and make the tough choices that they were elected to make.

Mike Doyle, Council Member Danville