State Budget Shortfall

I can’t believe that the state has the unmitigated gall to even consider balancing its budget on the backs of our cities (June 12). While this tactic has been going on for the past couple years, the state’s latest proposal on the table will certainly be the straw to break the backs of the small, newer cities, like Moreno Valley, which have no alternative funding sources.

The plan is to take property taxes and vehicle license fees away from cities and shift these revenues elsewhere. For Moreno Valley, that could mean a $5-million hit. Our city just can’t sustain that kind of shortfall in this depressed economy, especially since we’ve worked so hard to balance next year’s budget without new taxes.

Such a hit could mean massive layoffs--far more extensive than last year’s--and drastic reductions in services, including police and fire protection.

I urge all of our legislators to oppose this proposal, and force the state to get its own house in order. Ironically, the feds and the state rushed to the aid of riot-torn Los Angeles, and have since returned to their ivory towers to rob the rest of us of what’s rightfully--and lawfully--ours!

JAMIL DADA, Moreno Valley