CA DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE RECOMMENDS GOVERNOR BORROW 8 PERCENT FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO FUND STATE 2009-10 DEFICIT; DUARTE TO LOSE $300,000 
Today the Department of Finance informed the League of California Cities that they have presented a May Revision budget option to the Governor suggesting he authorize borrowing 8 percent of city, county and special district property tax revenues, estimated at over $2 billion, to help close the State’s FY 2009-10 deficit. Specifically, to the City of Duarte, It is the equivalent to a $300,000 general fund loss.
Duarte City Council members are gravely concerned about this state proposal and its impact on City services. The City needs your help. It is easy to get your thoughts heard in our ever expanding electronic age and let State officials know that Duarte Taxpayers are extremely concerned about the State’s fiscal problems and how it continues to affect both their families and fellow residents. Please contact both Assembly member Anthony Portantino 626-577-9944, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and State Senator Gloria Romero 323-881-0100, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and express your concerns. The following talking points are current scenarios should the stalemate continue:
Borrowing Proposal is Irresponsible. The proposal is irresponsible and will threaten the safety of every Duartean.
Proposal Puts Public Safety At Risk. California cities like Duarte are struggling under the growing weight of the economic slowdown and the revenue losses it has caused. Cities have already enacted painful cuts to balance their own budgets—In Duarte, the Council at its May 4th budget workshop already trimmed approximately $1 million dollars from the City budget and is using approximately $800,000 from City reserves to balance the 2009-10 budget which contains steep programming costs.
Proposal Would Mark Return to Binge Borrowing. The state proposal will further decimate local public safety and other essential community services and dig it into a deeper hole from which it is less likely to recover. Governor Should Reject Borrowing. The Governor has opposed previous proposals to borrow local funds and should reject this proposal.
State Needs to Balance Its Budget With Its Own Resources. Borrowing local government funds to fund the state budget has been turned down by the voters and will never be acceptable to the public.
Governor Declares Day of Reckoning Article Sacramento Bee
