Los Angeles County Democratic Party Urges “Yes” Vote on Proposition S in Los Angeles
Proposition will cut tax rate and prevent loss of $270 million in the Los Angeles general fund budget

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) adopted the following resolution supporting Proposition S in the City of Los Angeles and urges voters to vote “yes” on Proposition S on the February 5, 2008 ballot:

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF PROPOSITION S

Whereas, recent court and IRS decisions will preclude dozens of California cities from collecting the telephone utility tax in the way that it has been previously collected in prior years, and the City of Los Angeles has relied on this tax for more than 40 years, accounting for 6% of its General Fund revenues; and

Whereas, Proposition S puts the telephone users tax before the voters for approval on the February 2008 ballot and cuts the tax rate from 10% to 9%; and will apply to larger businesses currently exempted; and

Whereas, if not passed by voters, $270 million will be lost to the City’s General Fund budget requiring cuts to essential City services that might include curtailing police officer hiring, fire station closures, reduction of public library hours, a decrease in public park and street maintenance, eliminating recreation programs for children and other reductions in critical services; and

Therefore be it resolved, that the Los Angeles County Democratic Party supports Proposition S.

Be it further resolved, that the Los Angeles County Democratic Party urges a YES vote by the Los Angeles City voters on the February 5, 2008 ballot.

LACDP Chair Eric C. Bauman said, “The Los Angeles County Democratic Party fully supports Proposition S in the City of Los Angeles to safeguard the city budget and critical city services. In addition to a reduction in tax, it will prevent the city from losing $270 million and prevent cuts to important services such as police, fire protection, public libraries, and street maintenance. We urge you to vote ‘yes’ on Proposition S on February 5, 2008.”

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