TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Consideration of Resolution Opposing State Ballot Measure Restricting Voters’ Input and Local Taxing Authority MEETING DATE: February 22, 2022
RECOMMENDATION:
It is staff's recommendation that the City Council consider adopting the attached Resolution affirming the City's opposition to Initiative 21-0026A1, a State ballot measure restricting voters' input and local taxing authority.
BACKGROUND:
In 2018, the “Tax Fairness, Transparency and Accountability Act” or AG# 17-0050 Amdt. #1, was circulated to qualify for the November 2018 ballot. This initiative would have drastically limited local revenue authority. Through the successful work and advocacy of the League of California Cities and its coalition partners, the measure’s proponents, the California Business Roundtable (CBRT), withdrew the initiative from the ballot in June 2018.
On January 4, 2022, CBRT filed the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act or AG# 21-0042A1. This measure is far more detrimental to cities than the measure filed in 2018, because it would decimate vital local and state services to the benefit of wealthy corporations.
During its December 23, 2021 meeting, the Board of Directors of the League of California Cities (which City of Commerce is a member of) voted unanimously to oppose Initiative 21-0026A1. Following the Board’s unanimous decision, a coalition of public safety, labor, local government and infrastructure advocates have joined together to fight against this measure. With the Attorney General set to release the Title and Summary soon, the coalition announced their opposition in a media release. The proponents will need to submit nearly 1 million signatures in order to qualify for the November 2022 ballot. The Secretary of State’s recommended date to turn in signatures is only approximately 2 months away; April 29, 2022.
The Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act - Initiative No. 21-0042A1 limits the voters’ input, adopts new and stricter rules for raising taxes and fees, and makes it more difficult to hold state and local law violators accountable.
ALTERNATIVES:
Approve staff recommendation
Reject staff recommendation
Provide further direction to staff
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with approving the resolution.
Respectfully submitted: Edgar P. Cisneros, City Manager Reviewed by: Vilko Domic, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
Prepared by: Lena Shumway, Director of Administrative Services and City Clerk PAGE
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CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
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