Lamorinda Fire, Police Programs Could Lose Expected Revenue After Passage of SB 89

The League of California Cities is charging that a "stealth budget trailer" attached to Senate Bill 89 swept millions of dollars earmarked for use by city public safety programs into a locked account - making the money inaccessible to local police and fire departments.

Instead of receiving $130 million in state Vehicle Licensing Fee revenues, two thirds of which ($87 million) is used for police and fire services, the League asserts that a trailing bill attached to SB 89 left only $100 million total available for local cities - cutting $87 million to police and fire department budgets and another $43 in funding for other services.

"The California Constitution requires the VLF to go to cities and counties," said Modesto Mayor and League President Jim Ridenour. "This legislation shifts it to fund a wide variety of state grant programs, effectively cutting local public safety funding."

Ridenour stated that if Gov. Jerry Brown approves the bill "vital dollars for police, fire and every other city program will be decimated."

Ridenour said the League has asked the governor to veto the bill.

The League of California Cities created a city by city breakdown of revenue each fire and police department can expect to lose under the bill. Take a look.