Bill to help four cities passes again

The governor has vetoed similar legislation to help Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Wildomar and Menifee.

By JEFF HORSEMAN / STAFF WRITER

Once again, California’s Senate has passed legislation that would restore vehicle license fee revenue to four cities in Riverside County.

The bill sponsored by Sen. Richard Roth, D-Riverside, passed 38-0 on Tuesday, May 31. It would restore license fee money to Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Wildomar and Menifee, all of which have gone without the funding after state lawmakers re-allocated the fees in 2011 to solve a budget crunch.

Similar bills have been repeatedly vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown, citing the need to protect the state’s general fund. A compromise offered by the governor’s office in the last state budget gave Riverside County a fire services credit intended to provide financial relief to the four cities.

“This is an issue I have been fighting for since before I was elected to the State Senate, and one I will continue to fight for until we have secured a victory,” Roth said in a news release.

The bill now goes to the state Assembly.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9547 or jhorseman@pe.com