Published on June 26, 2003
By Meera Pal
ORINDA - An assemblywoman called a town hall meeting Tuesday to persuade local officials to support tax increases that would help balance the state budget.
The meeting was part of a statewide effort by Assembly Democrats to rally local support for their plans to raise state income tax, sales tax and the vehicle license fees, which went up last week.
Without those tax hikes, which Republicans steadfastly refuse to consider, the budget cannot be balanced, Democrats say.
"There is an ideological Republican group that is willing to hold the people of the state hostage," Assemblywoman Loni Hancock, D-Berkeley, said after the meeting.
Hancock spoke to leaders from her district, which includes Berkeley, El Cerrito, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Richmond and parts of Oakland.
"I was thinking it was just another yearly state budget crisis. Now, I know it's more than that," she said. "Every aspect of life is going to be diminished if we don't get a responsible budget. The people of California need to get involved."
Local leaders applauded Hancock's efforts and expressed their own frustration with the budget gridlock.
"The uncertainty means there is no ability to plan for the future," said Lou Paulson, president of United Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County and vice president of the California Professional Firefighters. "We're not sure what level of service we will be able to provide."
One West Contra Costa County school official wondered about the effect on schools.
"Cities can generate fees and raise taxes. The schools are set in their revenue source," said George Harris, West Contra Costa County Unified School District board member. "Our funding comes from the state and the federal government."
Confusing the issue, Hancock said, is the effort to recall Gov. Gray Davis.
"There is a narrow, partisan, ideological effort to recall the governor and drag out passing a state budget, with no concern for the people of the state," Hancock said.
Hancock, who also spoke Tuesday to supervisors in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, said it will take compromise on both sides to pass a budget that will let California "remain a state worth living in." She emphasized the need to contact lawmakers with letters and phone calls.
"Letters are fine, but at some point it's going to be time to come to Sacramento," said Orinda Mayor Laura Abrams. "We're fooling around with our children's education, our future."