State Assemblyman Solorio Leads Effort to Restore Budget Allocations to OC

Assemblyman Jose Solorio is working in the California Legislature to fill the $48 million funding hole created by the Orange County GOP delegations unwillingness to address the funding needs of California in a reasonable manner. His colleagues are of the opinion that any revenue enhancements are unacceptable to address the current short falls. They are “small government conservatives” except for when the cuts apply to the communities they represent. They are refusing to support Solorio’s constructive approach to the problem.

They cry that it is unfair when cuts come to their districts and demand the funds be restored at the expense of someone else in the state. It is sad that rather than act to restore funding in a responsible way, they prefer to see devastating cuts in services to their own constituents.

Here is Assemblyman Solorio’s statement on his efforts to restore funding to Orange County.

State Assemblyman Solorio Leads Effort to Restore Budget Allocations to Orange County and Cities

Orange County and California cities were thrust into unfair circumstances when this year’s budget bill wiped out long standing vehicle license fee allocations due to them. Since then, State Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim) and other legislators have been working to find a way to restore that funding.  This week, Assemblyman Solorio offered two new approaches to solving Orange County and the cities’ affront in the budget deal. 

“Orange County and the cities’ situation is dire. Major program cuts involving public safety will take place if we don’t get those vehicle license fee allocations back. The state can’t just renege overnight on a long term commitment when public safety is involved. 

So Assembly Majority Leader Charles Calderon and I propose, with the introduction of ABX1 41, a minor increase of the vehicle license fee to restore a commitment to public safety. A mere 0.15% increase in fees can generate an estimated $233 million in just six months. That increase still keeps VLF fees lower than the ones that expired earlier this year. And, in its first full year of implementation, the essentially unnoticeable 0.15% VLF increase will generate $470 million for local law enforcement services, Department of Justice task forces, public education and the general fund. ABX1 41 requires a 2/3 vote in the Legislature.

As an alternative to a VLF increase, I have also introduced ABX1 43 to restore $48 million to Orange County in property taxes. Conservative property tax revenue growth projections in the current budget make the property tax shift to Orange County feasible. So far, counties are experiencing growth of 1 percent in property taxes and therefore generating approximately $75 million for the state. That’s more than enough right now to restore $48 million in funding to Orange County. ABX1 43 requires a majority vote in the Legislature.

Contrary to what some may think, I believe the Legislature is a thoughtful body that can rise together for the sake of providing what’s fair. The legislature occasionally does pass fee bills where warranted, and supports public safety in a very strong bi-partisan fashion.

I’m proud to be working with Orange County Board Chairman Bill Campbell and other county leaders on finding a solution. There’s still time!”

State Assemblyman Jose Solorio is the Chair of the Assembly Insurance Committee and serves on the Assembly Appropriations and Transportation committees. He represents the Sixty-Ninth Assembly District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove, and Santa Ana. For more information about Assemblyman Solorio, visit www.assembly.ca.gov/solorio.