L.A. would lose $166 million under budget deal, city says
Los Angeles stands to lose at least $166 million in state funding under the state budget deal reached last night, city officials revealed today.
The sum includes $120 million in property tax revenue and $66 million in gas tax revenue.
Los Angeles uses its share of the gas tax revenue to pay for street repair, and the property tax money goes into the city’s general fund. If Sacramento goes forward with proposal to nab $1.7 billion in community redevelopment funds, Los Angeles would lose an additional $70 million to develop projects in blighted neighborhoods.
“The bottom line is that the state is going to balance its budget on the backs on municipalities,’’ said Councilman Dennis Zine.
Councilman Greig Smith, a member of the budget and finance committee, said the city will likely join statewide lawsuits to block the state from taking both the redevelopment and gas tax funds.
California cities blocked a similar attempt by Sacramento to take the redevelopment money last year.
“Everyone loses right now. The question is, who bears the greatest burden,’’ Smith said.
-- Phil Willon at City Hall
This is not the first year the state swiped LA's gas taxes, just the first time we've heard about it other than a few obscure peeps.
During the past 2 years the state took $200 million already, starting even before the city's budget crisis hit public and officlal awareness. The state took $120 million 2 years ago, $80 million last year, in round numbers.
Where was Laura Chick on this?
Posted by: skeptical taxpayer | July 21, 2009 at 11:51 AM
“Everyone loses right now. The question is, who bears the greatest burden,’’ Smith said.
Answer: Taxpayers.
Get a grip. Stop spending our tax money so foolishly and irresponsibly. All parts of government will have to make adjustments in order to reverse this deficit.
Posted by: GSaito | July 21, 2009 at 01:42 PM
“Everyone loses right now. The question is, who bears the greatest burden,’’ Smith said
All the legitimate people - TaxPayers - of California bear the greatest burden.
Posted by: mschliebs | July 21, 2009 at 02:07 PM
Enough Star Wars and F-22 spending for white collar welfare.
Hows that sound for specific cuts, to the bumper sticker crowd ??
Posted by: Lawrence Fine | July 21, 2009 at 03:53 PM
Aren't our public officials the highest payed in the country?
And what do we get for our bucks? Morons that are about to drag us into bankrupcy, that's what.
How many of these officials have taken pay cuts?
Or cut back on their perks?
Not many, I'm sure.
Posted by: Buckless | July 21, 2009 at 04:29 PM
“Everyone loses right now. The question is, who bears the greatest burden,’’ Smith said
seems like only the poor, elderly, sick, and non-whites lose more often and take the biggest burdens...
Posted by: Mr. Cynic | July 21, 2009 at 06:09 PM