Budgets are tight throughout California and local governments are fighting to prevent the state from taking their money. Now the fight is heating up over Proposition 22. It would prevent California from borrowing money designated for local use to fix the state’s deficit.
The League of California Cities is holding its annual conference in San Diego this week. A key area of discussion will be how to pass Proposition 22.
San Diego Councilman Tony Young said local services shouldn’t suffer because state legislators can’t balance the budget.
“They can’t seem to find a way to agree upon, not only concession with some of their labor unions, but also dealing with some of the cuts that they should be cutting for the services that they provide,” he said.
Opponents of the measure include the California Nurses Association and the California Teachers Association. Both education and health care get money directly from the state. The opposition says it would hamper California’s ability to respond to financial emergencies.
Last year the state borrowed $50 million from San Diego’s redevelopment agency to deal with its deficit.
San Diego has its own financial problems to deal with. The city is facing a $72 million deficit next year. City departments are being asked to identify millions of dollars in spending cuts that may be implemented if voters reject a sales tax increase on the November ballot.
