Year in and year out, it seems like our state faces the same predicament: An historic deficit; a deadlocked legislature; budget negotiations hijacked by a few hard-liners making unreasonable demands, and stalled by a two-thirds rule that impedes progress and weakens our ability to govern.
A few weeks ago – after the defeat of a series of measures designed to soften the blow of our budget shortfall – a coalition of mayors and city officials came together to call on our state representatives to follow a different path; to take responsibility for the public purse; to find a better way to navigate the choppy economic waters before us and lay the foundation for a stronger, more stable financial future.
Yesterday, we went back to our state capital to reiterate that same message – not as another special interest group and not to complain about circumstances, shrinking revenues, and a recession beyond our control. We returned to Sacramento as productive partners and concerned colleagues; as public servants ready to work together and offer viable solutions that ensure our financial stability and chart a course toward more responsible fiscal stewardship.
Over the course of our time in the Capitol, our meetings focused on two core principles:
First, any plan to withhold tax revenue from cities must be accompanied by a plan to get that money back in the coffers of local governments and back on local streets as soon as possible. Our willingness to sacrifice on the state’s behalf does not – and must not – represent an open-ended commitment or a blank check. These funds support vital programs and policies that benefit all Californians, and we must be sure that our hard-earned tax dollars make their way back to taxpayers as quickly as possible.
Second, we must minimize cuts to critical city services, like police departments and firefighters, emergency responders, road repair, and schools. As elected leaders, it is our duty to protect the central government services the people of California demand, deserve, and fund at the store and at the pump. And we will continue to fight tooth and nail to keep state resources flowing to neighborhoods, communities, and families throughout our state.
When all is said and done, we must recognize that there is no perfect solution to this perfect economic storm. But we can begin by turning our sights away from a short-sighted vision of government as it is – of leadership without direction; of elected officials accepting an unworkable status quo – and start thinking about government as it should be: A place that serves the best interests of every resident; that makes the common good its top priority; that charts a new course toward innovative ideas and sensible solutions; and that acts on the belief that its first responsibility is to the citizens and families it represents.
As I’ve said many times before, with every crisis comes an opportunity. This time is no different. We have the chance to make progress right now and to put our stamp on real reform. It is up to those of us in office – from the governor and mayors to city councilmembers and state lawmakers – to assume the mantle of bold, visionary leadership that benefits every resident. And if we do this right – if we make the necessary changes, shift our focus toward new ideas, and replace Sacramento’s culture of failure with new standards for success – we will resolve this crisis, emerge stronger from this recession, and leave a legacy of progress, stability, and responsibility to the next generation.