Senator Richard Roth contextualized the political landscape for an ongoing issue in his 31st district.
His district contains northwestern Riverside County, which is epicenter for the issue at hand.
In recent years, some new cities have incorporated in the area Senator Roth represents and have hit a nasty funding obstacle.
He describes the problem as such, “Historically, new cities received Vehicle License Fee revenue in lieu of property tax revenue. These four new cities incorporated with the understanding that VLF revenue would be available to them. Unfortunately, as many of us now know, Sacramento changed those rules and redirected VLF money to public safety realignment.”
Jurupa Valley, Menifee, Eastvale, and Wildomar are the four recently incorporated cities in question. Jurupa Valley is a prime example of the problem at hand, the city saw its budget shrink by 46 percent due to the funding shift.
Senator Roth has tried to remedy this during each of the last three legislative sessions, but despite bipartisan support in the legislature, Governor Brown vetoed each of the efforts.
However, relief is finally in sight for the cities in the form of AB 113. But Roth points out other language in the bill as problematic. The bill would also complete the dissolution of some 400 redevelopment agencies. Senator Roth notes that this dissolution process has been ongoing prior to his election.
Ultimately, Senator Roth supports the bill as it brings needed aid to cities in need within his constituency, but he fears that the redevelopment agencies being axed, something the League of California Cities has circled as reason enough to opposed the whole thing might lead to enough mobilization from other affected cities to kill AB 113.
The Senator empathizes and expresses a willingness to work with the LCC, but remains vigilant for his communities, saying “I believe the right choice for our region is to vote for this fix that will allow California’s four newest cities to survive and live another day.”
AB 113 passed the Assembly Floor with a 51-27 vote and is currently making its senatorial committee rounds.
For Senator Roth’s full piece, see here.