Palo Alto, CA -- As a result of Governor Schwarzenegger's executive order to rescind the Vehicle License Fee (VLF) and the legislature's failure to reinstate these critical funds to cities and counties, many communities are at risk. In the one-month since the reduction of VLF funds, over 2,000 public safety positions across the state have been eliminated or have been earmarked to be eliminated. At a time when local emergency responders are more critical than ever in fighting crime and ensuring homeland security, the elimination of police officers and firefighters will significantly impact the safety of our cities and counties. In Palo Alto, this state take-away has resulted in a loss of $800,000 to date. Failure to reinstate the VLF backfill means the potential loss of an additional $1.8 million this year. If the backfill is not reinstated, Palo Alto will lose $2.6 million annually. This equates to a reduction of 22 police officers and firefighters.

Mayor Dena Mossar said that failing to provide VLF offset funding "would force us to make deep cuts in services that are vital to our community."

The City is working on several fronts to combat this threat to public safety and well-being:

• Writing letters and making phone calls to the Governor and elected representatives
  
  
• Working with the League of California Cities on possible litigation
  
  
• Joining with California law enforcement groups to protest this take-away of critical funding

It is essential that Palo Alto residents and businesses that are concerned about losing essential services that are funded by the VLF can voice their opinions to the following:

Office of the Governor
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 445-2841
FAX (916) 324-6358

State Senator
Byron Sher
664 Gillman Street
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 688-6374

State Assembly
Joe Simitian
160 Town & Country Village
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 688-6336

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