PUBLISHED OROVILLE MERCURY NEWS: | UPDATED:
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
“Let the games begin, or should I say, let the shell games continue. On Feb. 19, Oroville Financial Director Ruth Wright, gave an update on Oroville’s city budget. She caught my attention when I heard her say $366,000 in FEMA funds were applied to the “Pension Stabilization Fund.”
Oroville’s previous council decided to repurpose all “one-time money”, to this fund. This year over $1 million was swept away from city improvements and funneled into the CALpers stabilization accounts.
For those that voted themselves a one percent tax increase in hopes of fewer crimes, street repairs, and clean parks, I fear you will be disappointed. It’s all about the unsustainable CALpers fund. Oroville now has a one percent added-on sales tax plus a five percent Utility Users Tax. Look at the five utility bills you receive each month. Check out the UUT you are paying.
The city has been asked to repeal the five percent Utility Users Tax now that the one percent sales tax has passed. City staff has recommended “no,” citing the city’s precarious financial situation. The council decided to delay that decision for a year.
I would predict there will be no repeal. The shell games will continue. The city will still be crying poor. New fees and tax proposals will be pursued. The proceeds will be used for CALpers contributions in a futile attempt to delay its inevitable collapse.
— Lorraine Christensen, Oroville”
Chico Taxpayers Association 
Similar things have been going on in Paradise.
FEMA money goes to pensions. So even when the town burns down the pensions win!
And I remember the Paradise politicians and bureaucrats were saying back in 2016 that some of the sales tax increase money would go for fire prevention.
Another good Walters article. I sure hope this guy never retires!
A crackdown on misusing public funds for campaigns?
Yuba officials also were not alone in failing to mention that much of the new revenue would be used to pay fast-rising costs of pensions for their employees. And, emulating what was happening elsewhere, county officialdom urged passage of the measure under the guise of “education,” with those opposed to the new tax alleging that taxpayer funds were used for the campaign.
https://calmatters.org/articles/commentary/a-crackdown-on-misusing-public-funds-for-campaigns/
Well, it looks like there’s little doubt where the ER will stand on a tax increase.
They are even giving advice on how to get it done.
And they certainly have no problems with the city and CUSD spending tens of thousands of our tax dollars on a PR firm propagandising the voters. Heck, they even like it and want it coordinated.
I bet the rest of the local media will fall in line, too.
Anyone against this tax increase (or possibly increases) is up against not only the politicians, bureaucrats and special interests but now the media.
And let’s not forget up against their own tax dollars which are being used to propagandise for tax increases.
Truly disgusting. But what else can you expect from such a corrupt system?
“Editorial: Tax increase initiatives could use coordination”
https://www.chicoer.com/2019/03/03/editorial-tax-increase-initiatives-could-use-coordination/
Good article by Greenhut on the recent court ruling.
Based on this ruling the reality is that pensions will not be reformed in our lifetimes and our rulers are going to tax us to Hell on the road to bankruptcy.
https://spectator.org/court-boots-a-big-pension-punt/
California state workers hoarding vacation days, creating $3.5-billion debt for taxpayers
After 36 years as a California government transportation engineer, Bijan Sartipi retired with much more than a goodbye party: He was paid $405,000 for time off he never used — one of more than 450 state workers who took home six-figure checks when they left their jobs last year
https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-california-government-worker-vacation-payouts-20190307-story.html
Thanks Bob, this is in the city of Chico contracts too. It’s really a scam, getting paid twice for 14 days a year.