A November proposition to ban the state from borrowing or shifting local funds to balance the state budget sparked heated debate among Republicans attending the party's semi-annual convention in San Diego.
The debate, which lasted more than 30 minutes during a meeting of the CRP Initiative Committee, boiled down to one question: "Why would we want to send more money to Sacramento?"
Brandon Castillo, a spokesman for the Yes on 22 campaign, said there is more accountability at the local government level for the types of funds targeted in past budget solutions. Taking that control out of the hands of the local governments, he said has produced poor results.
"It's a shell game," he said after the debate. "The state is borrowing from the local governments to fund their obligations."
Opponents of the initiative, including four state legislators at the meeting, countered that the measure would paralyze their ability to balance the budget.
"We are in a fiscal crisis and I am looking for opportunities to balance the budget without raising taxes," said Assemblyman Ted Gaines, a member of the committee.
They argued that redevelopment funds protected under the initiative have been put to better use by the Legislature's decision to redirect the funds.
"The money remained local (in the past), so the question is, do you want to fund local redevelopment schemes or do you want to fund schools?" Assemblyman Chris Norby said. "I'd rather have this money spent to subsidize schools than Costco," he sadded.
In the end, the CRP Initiatives Committee voted 9-8 to recommend the endorsement of Proposition 22. The full delegation will vote on the recommendation during the Sunday general session.
"Proposition 22 is not perfect, it creates new problems in place of the old problems," said Jon Fleischman, a party official who voted to endorse Proposition 22. "But the old problems are worse than the new problems."
The committee also voted to oppose Proposition 19, which would allow the legalization and taxation of marijuana for recreational use.
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