Small town,big heart! ~ ¡Pueblo chico, corazóngrande!
147 Fourth Street · PO Box 647, Gonzales, CA 93926· Phone: (831)675-5000· Fax: (831)675-2644 https://gonzalesca.gov/
City of Gonzales
Council Member Liz Silva, Council Member Lorraine Worthy, Council MemberMaria Orozco MayorJose L. Rios,Mayor Pro TemScott Funk, City Manager Carmen Gil MayScott Funk
February 28, 2024
League of California Cities
c/o Public Affairs Department
1400 K Street, Suite 400
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Letter Opposing Initiative 21-0042A1
I’m writing on behalf of the City of Gonzales to oppose Initiative #21-0042A1, a November 2024 statewide ballot proposition. The measure is a significant threat to local control and voters’ rights that could jeopardize funding for vital services.
This measure creates new constitutional loopholes that allow corporations to pay far less than their fair share for the impact they have on our communities, which could force residents and taxpayers to pay more to maintain basic services.
The measure puts billions of dollars currently dedicated to local services at risk, and could force cuts to fire and emergency response, law enforcement, services to support homeless residents, and more.
The measure is also an attack on voters’ rights, containing undemocratic provisions that would make it more difficult for local voters to pass measures to fund local services, provisions that retroactively cancel measures recently passed by voters, and provisions that prevent voters from passing advisory measures that provide direction on how they want their local tax dollars spent.
Furthermore, the measure contains intentionally vague and restrictive language that will encourage hundreds of frivolous lawsuits against cities and local governments — costing taxpayers millions and blocking investments, development, and long-term planning.
You may list the City of Gonzales in formal opposition to Initiative #21-0042A1 and include our City as part of the growing coalition of public safety, labor, local government, infrastructure advocates, and other organizations throughout the state opposed to this deceptive proposition.
Sincerely,
Jose L. Rios Carmen Gil
Mayor City Manager