Saving Our Cities

*** UPDATE ***

May 14, 2015 - After over two years of intensive negotiations with Governor Jerry Brown, the Department of Finance and numerous stakeholders, Senator Richard D. Roth (D-Riverside) announced today the Governor has proposed funding for Riverside County’s four newest cities in his May budget revision.

Senator Roth said: “Restoring funding for Riverside County’s newest cities has been one of my top priorities since day one.  I am pleased the Governor has included this funding in his revised budget.  These cities, through no fault of their own, lost funding that every other new city historically received, and I thank the Governor for recognizing this critical issue of fairness and equity that threatened to force at least one city, Jurupa Valley, to disincorporate.”

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“This is an issue of fairness and equity, and our region deserves its fair share.”

- Senator Richard D. Roth

The residents of Jurupa Valley could hardly predict that two days after officially becoming California’s newest city, the State would pull funding they critically needed to survive.

In July 2011, the State shifted Vehicle License Fee (VLF) funds towards prison realignment. These funds were typically allocated to new cities in lieu of property tax revenue. This meant that Jurupa Valley lost nearly 30% of its general fund, monies it was counting on and rightfully expected to receive when its residents voted to incorporate.

This is not simply an issue of lost monies. It is also an issue of fairness and equity. Through no fault of its own, Jurupa Valley lost funding every other city previously received, and now faces disincorporation. Three other cities - Eastvale, Wildomar and Menifee - also lost their share of these funds.

All four cities are in Riverside County.

Restoring VLF funds continues to be one of my top priorities. Most recently SB 56 (2013), my bill to restore this funding passed through the Legislature but was vetoed by the Governor.

I continue to be committed to saving Riverside County’s newest cities, and that’s why I’ve introduced SB 25 (2015), to ensure that these cities, which incorporated in good faith and with fair expectations of the State, receive what is rightfully theirs. For too long, our region has had to make do with what has trickled-down the pipeline and it’s time Inland Southern California received its fair share.

Restoring VLF funding to these cities is important for both residents and our regional economy. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Legislature and the Governor on SB 25, and will continue to explore all options to ensure we save Riverside County’s newest cities from the grim possibility of disincorporation.

- Richard D. Roth
Senator, 31st District

Read the bill's text.