State Funds for Local Government

The Times’ editorial of March 10, “Pay-Up Time for the State,” suggests that local governments are getting the short end of the stick. If anything, local governments are being provided with greater funding and flexibility.

Prop. 172, which received broad bipartisan support, is providing more than $1.7 billion a year to local governments to bolster their resources for public safety. The trial court funding measure I signed last fall provides $350 million in ongoing discretionary revenues--not one-time as the editorial suggests--to cities and counties. And my COPS program is providing $100 million annually to local governments, county sheriffs and district attorneys.

Local governments also have greater flexibility in what is arguably their greatest challenge: welfare reform. Under the CalWORKS legislation, 100% of the savings that counties realize from moving aid recipients into the work force are provided back to them.

One of the most important issues affecting local government revenues is economic development. The availability of adequate infra- structure--roadways, sewers, water mains, and more--can be the kind of make-or-break decision on whether a business decides to locate or expand in California, or move out. My budget contains a total of $250 million for local governments to tap for further economic and revenue growth.

In addition, if local governments determine that there are state-imposed mandates that are limiting their flexibility to set budget priorities, I’ve stated repeatedly my willingness to consider repealing them.

GOV. PETE WILSON

Sacramento