The state fiscal budget crisis is now fully impacting the lives
of all Californians. Gov. Schwarzenegger has responded to this
crisis by making painful cuts across the board that reduce funding
to UC and CSU colleges, counties, cities, etc. As a result,
Monterey County is poised to lay off 170 people. Closer to home,
the City of Hollister is looking at laying off 36 people due to
cuts in revenue from the state and the loss of impact fees from new
development. San Benito County has yet to weigh in on the impacts
of the reduction of revenue from the state to its $64 million
budget. The Measure G folks should be rejoicing at the paucity of
growth. The economic effects are already being felt throughout the
county and they are devastating.
The state fiscal budget crisis is now fully impacting the lives of all Californians. Gov. Schwarzenegger has responded to this crisis by making painful cuts across the board that reduce funding to UC and CSU colleges, counties, cities, etc. As a result, Monterey County is poised to lay off 170 people. Closer to home, the City of Hollister is looking at laying off 36 people due to cuts in revenue from the state and the loss of impact fees from new development. San Benito County has yet to weigh in on the impacts of the reduction of revenue from the state to its $64 million budget. The Measure G folks should be rejoicing at the paucity of growth. The economic effects are already being felt throughout the county and they are devastating.
We now know that Measure G was drafted with the support and consent of the Board of Supervisors by Sierra Club supporters and financed by that out-of-town environmentalist group. The backers who signed their names to the controversial initiative were heralded as a “grassroots” organization concerned about “saving agricultural lands” – except they intentionally avoided approaching the San Benito County Farm Bureau; the primary advocacy group that addresses agricultural land issues for its members who are local ranchers and farmers. The Board of Supervisors knew this, but they voted the measure into law anyway. Citizens revolted and gathered 5,300 signatures, ethically and legally, through the referendum process, only to be challenged by the Sierra Club legal affiliate, Earthjustice and a local activist. The legal challenge proved expensive, yet the courts prevailed upon the rights of citizens to vote on the initiative after all.
We know that Measure G will further reduce government services by diminishing the county tax base as a result of changing the zoning of specific land parcels. We also know that ranchers and farmers will face harsh economic impacts as a result of Measure G causing some to go out of business. As a result, local ag jobs will be lost and unemployment will rise. When folks lose their jobs, they can’t support the local commerce, which worsens the local economy.
Measure G couldn’t come at a worse time for the local economy. Just when fiscal revenue threatens the solvency of local government, Measure G proponents want voters to voluntarily make matters worse and further reduce revenue which will diminish social and medical services for those in need.
On March 2, Vote No on Measure G!
Mike Smith,
Hollister
