Let’s Let State Government Suffer Too

As a member of the Seal Beach City Council, I greatly appreciate the story shedding some light on the financial plight small cities such as ours are now facing (“Cities Under Fiscal Siege Ponder Crippling Cuts,” June 28). (The reporter) Kevin Johnson was indeed accurate when he stated that many cities were forced to deplete reserves when anticipated incomes did not materialize. To cope with this, cities such as ours have had to establish hiring freezes and massive cutbacks on the services we provide for our citizens.

The problem has been compounded by the fact that our state chooses to balance its own budget by reducing the revenue shares normally directed toward the cities. Campaign contributors would scream if the school systems decided to cut back on their enormous athletic programs, so our elected state officials say: “Let’s divert the city share of property tax increases to the school system.” Welfare can’t be cut lest they incur the wrath of welfare advocates. All subsidies have their lobbies, and so it becomes easier to just raid the cities. The “trickle down” has become a mere damp spot, and now they are anticipating even more cuts.

We have tightened our belts so often that Scarlett O’Hara would be proud of our waistline, so how about the state now trimming its own waste lines? What would happen if, just for example, the Coastal Commission went into a temporary hiatus?

I recently heard a spokeswoman for a state agency admit in front of several witnesses that her group had imposed fines on our Naval Weapons Station for conditions that did not exist and were later disallowed. She admitted that they did it for recognition and to help justify their very existence.

There must be many such groups that could be put on hold until after the current recession has subsided. In this way, the state could cure its own ills without further hampering the cities upon which the entire state depends. Our pockets have already been picked threadbare and it is time for a different approach. Thanks again for bringing our situation to the attention of your readers.

WILLIAM J. DOANE, Councilman, District Five, Seal Beach