Senate Committee Unanimously Approves Senator Roth's Legislation To Assist Riverside's New Cities

June 19, 2013

The Senate Governance and Finance Committee unanimously and on a bipartisan vote approved Senator Richard D. Roth’s (D-Riverside) proposed new law to assist the Riverside County cities of Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Menifee, and Wildomar.

Senator Roth’s proposal, Senate Bill 56, provides funding for newly incorporated cities and for cities which annexed inhabited areas that lost funding as a result of state budget challenges in 2011.  The bill provides newly incorporated cities and annexations with funding to replace lost revenue money other new cities previously received.

Senator Roth said, “Due to state budget cuts, our four newest cities lost the start-up monies the state formerly provided new cities to get started.  The loss of this state money means one of those new Riverside cities, Jurupa Valley, through no fault of their own, faces the unfortunate reality of losing their whole city.  For Riverside County’s newest cities, this is an issue of fairness and equity.”

The Senator added, “Local governments, especially our cities, are the backbone of our community.  I believe the most cost-efficient and direct way to provide services is through local government.”

In addition to providing funding for the newly incorporated cities, the bill also unknots a funding problem affecting all future new cities and the ability of cities to annex inhabited areas.  Without a new funding source, it is unlikely California will have any new incorporations or annexations.  This will have a significant, detrimental impact on the State’s ability to achieve many of its policy objectives.

Senator Roth said, “Cities play a vital role in fulfilling many of the State’s policy goals which include achieving smart growth objectives, promoting transportation and infrastructure investments, meeting affordable housing needs and realizing greenhouse gas reduction goals.  My proposal will fix the funding mechanism critical to achieving these policy goals.”

Senate Bill 56 now goes to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.

The 31st State Senate District includes portions of Riverside County including the communities of Riverside, Moreno Valley, March Air Reserve Base, Perris, Corona, Norco, Eastvale and Jurupa Valley.