Tehachapi News

City plans to join possible litigation against state

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In a special meeting scheduled for June 29, the Tehachapi City Council planned to vote on a resolution that pledges participation in litigation to prevent the state of California from seizing street maintenance and redevelopment funds.

Any effort to divert permanently the local share of the gas tax would violate the state constitution and the will of the voters, the resolution states.

The resolution follows on the heels of a resolution of June 8 in which the city affirmed solidarity with the California League of Cities in fighting off the demands of the money-challenged state.

The council, also sitting as the Redevelopment Agency, was to meet Monday at 6 p.m. in the small conference room at City Hall and was not likely to reject the resolution.

The council approved the June 8 resolution in seven minutes, including the pledge of allegiance.

The resolution states that the governor's proposed transfer of $1 billion of local gas taxes and weight fees to the state general fund to balance the budget immediately jeopardizes the city's ability to maintain its streets, bridges, traffic signals, streetlights, sidewalks and related traffic safety facilities.

Counties and cities, it says, maintain 81 percent of the state road network while the state maintains 8 percent.