HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-113Resolution No.
WHEREAS, few argue with the need to expand alternative energy use. But, the
proposed $4 billion oil tax initiative headed for the November 2006 statewide ballot is not the
way to get there; and
WHEREAS, the oil tax initiative would create a new alternative energy bureaucracy
with the power to spend tax dollars without accountability or results, at the expense of higher
gasoline prices and revenue cuts to schools, local governments, law enforcement, and other vital
services; and
WHEREAS, according to the independent California State Legislative .Analyst, the oil
tax initiative reduces general fund revenues, local property taxes and could reduce transportation
fund revenues; and
WHEREAS, a reduction in general fund and property tax revenues means less funds for
education, public safety and other services, and state and local revenue losses also could worsen
the state's budget deficit; and
WHEREAS, the oil tax initiative robs schools of their fair share of new tax revenues
since current law (Proposition 98) requires that a portion of new state tax revenues be spent in K-
12 classrooms, but the oil tax intiative circumvents that constitutional requirement, thereby
robbing schools of $1.9 billion; and
WHEREAS, the new alternative energy bureaucracy this measure creates would be run
by more than 50 political appointees with the power to hire unlimited staff and spend a minimum
of $4 billion in tax dollars, outside the state budget review process and outside the normal checks
and balances that govern other agencies; and
WHEREAS, the new bureaucracy is authorized to spend additional taxes year after year
after year, even if they are making absolutely no progress advancing alternative energy use or
reducing petroleum use; and
WHEREAS, the $4 billion+ tax increase means higher costs for consumers and
businesses; and
WHEREAS, higher taxes on instate oil production would also discourage instate oil
production, thereby increasing our dependence on foreign oil; and
RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE OIL TAX
WHEREAS, the oil tax initiative bypasses elected officials, removes normal government
checks and balances by artfully exempting themselves from many important checks and balances
designed to ensure ethical and accountable government programs; and
WHEREAS, the measure exempts itself from the competitive bidding process in the
state Public Contracts Code (10295 and 10335) that governs other state agencies, and allows the
Authority to write its own contract selection process; and
WHEREAS, the measure exempts itself from Proposition 98 requirements, setting a
dangerous precedent that could be used to erode education funding protections in the future.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Butte County Board of Supervisors
opposes the oil tax initiative (aka Clean Alternative Energy Act) headed toward the November
2006 ballot and lends its name in support of Californians Against Higher Taxes in apposition.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Butte County Board of Supervisors this 25`~ day of
July 200b by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Connelly, Houx, Yamaguchi and Cinair .Tosiassan
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
NOT VOTING: Supervisor Dolan
ATTEST:
PAUL MCINTOSH, Chief Adrninistrative Officer
and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
B:
eputy
RT OSIASSEN, Chair