Cities Need to Work Together to Fix Finances

Re “A League of Their Own,” June 13 editorial: Before city officials form a political action committee to lobby the state Legislature for more money, we should get our own house in order.

Yes, the state has diverted property taxes away from the cities, funds especially needed to maintain our crumbling infrastructure.

But cities are also diverting funds away from public needs through our redevelopment agencies, which now siphon off $1.5 billion annually, 8% of all property taxes statewide. Most of this money goes to subsidize developers, big-box retailers, auto malls and sports stadiums that should properly be funded by private enterprise.

Even worse, cities erode each other’s tax base by luring auto dealers, giant retailers and other sales tax-generating businesses from one city to the next.

Yes, my city has been hit by state property tax diversions. But we have also lost sales taxes to neighboring cities that have lured away our auto dealerships with public handouts. City officials demand that the state stop raiding our tax base, but we should also stop raiding each other’s.

While our streets crumble, we shower money on movie megaplexes. While our libraries close early, taxpayer-funded stadiums are open late.

The state, the counties, the school districts and the cities all serve--and tax--the same public. Let’s work together to serve that public.

CHRIS NORBY

Member, Fullerton City Council