June 19 rally to oppose governor Schwarzenegger “taking” of local funds

Just in. Press Release which follows:

LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS PLAN RALLY
ON FRIDAY, JUNE 19
TO PROTEST A RAID OF LOCAL REVENUES BY THE STATE

Placentia, CA, June 15, 2009 – Citizens for a Better Placentia (CFABP), Fullerton Association of Concerned Taxpayers (FACT) and Yorba Linda Residents for Responsible Representation (YLRRR) are three local groups of community-minded individuals that have announced their adamant opposition to a raid of local government revenues to help balance the state’s massive deficit. The state’s plan to “borrow” or take Proposition 1A and Proposition 42 funds from local government comes during a perfect storm of steeply declining revenues coupled with an increased demand for services. CFABP, FACT and YLRRR call any raid on local revenues a short-sighted, irresponsible maneuver that does nothing to solve the state’s long-term budget issues. To show their support for local government services and to protest a raid on local revenues, CFABP, FACT and YLRRR are planning a peaceful rally at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 19, 2009.  The rally will be held at the intersection of Kraemer and Yorba Linda Boulevard, on the sidewalk in front of the Placentia Post Office. A large banner stating that the “The Bank of Placentia is Closed – Say No to the State Money Grab” will be displayed across Kraemer.  The banner urges residents to contact the Governor’s office to voice their concern and opposition to any “borrowing” of local property tax dollars.  In fact, David Shawver, Founder of “Fight Insane State Theft” (F.I.S.T., an organization of local Mayors and Council Members PROTECTING LOCAL GOVERNMENT REVENUES.), is 100% behind this rally and says: “Fridays rally is the beginning of a cohesive effort between local taxpayers and their local elected city officials to send strong message to State of California to STOP stealing our money. The State must cease their outrageous spending habits and leave local community taxes for police and fire protection alone. Together we will fight and protect our cities’ financial stability.”
CFABP, FACT, YLRRR and F.I.S.T. have invited local public officials, government employees, school board members, teachers, library district members, religious leaders, service organizations, and community-based organizations to attend this rally to send a message to the Governor and the State Legislature that taking revenues from local government is not only reckless, but threatens to decimate public services in communities across California.
“This plan to take local revenues from cities and counties is absurd and does nothing to solve the state’s real fiscal problem.” said Craig Green, one of the founding members of Citizens for a Better Placentia.  “The Cities of Placentia, Fullerton and Yorba Linda are already struggling in this economy and to take local property taxes and gas tax revenues from each of these cities will cripple their abilities to provide vital services such as police and public works. Ultimately, it is the residents of Placentia, Fullerton, Yorba Linda and many other cities and counties across the state that will have to bear the burden of the state’s budget mess.”, said Ed Rakochy, a founding member of YLRRR.     Jack Dean, President of FACT says “This will amount to double taxation”.
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Contacts:

Craig Green, Citizens for a Better Placentia, (714) 222-8603, craig-green@prodigy.net

Ed Rakochy, Yorba Linda Residents for Responsible Representation, (714) 888-5270, www.ylrrr.org

Jack Dean, Fullerton Association of Concerned Taxpayers, (714) 738-1191, jackdean@FullertonTaxpayers.org

David Shawver, Fight Insane State Theft, (714) 220-1707, dshawver1@socal.rr.com