Home California Assemblymember Frazier’s Statement on Governor’s State of the State Address

Assemblymember Frazier’s Statement on Governor’s State of the State Address

by ECT

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D – Oakley) released the following statement after Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.’s State of the State address:

“I am encouraged that Governor Jerry Brown recognized the importance of finding a sustainable transportation infrastructure funding plan in his State of the State speech this morning.

“Last year, the Governor called upon the legislature to address the nearly $6 billion annual shortfall in maintaining California’s highways, roads, and bridges. Today, the governor acknowledged that a bold solution is needed. As he stated, ‘the challenge is to solve today’s problems without making those of tomorrow even worse.’ By waiting to fix these issues we allow deferred maintenance to pile up, costing us exponentially more in the long-run.

“I have answered the Governor’s challenge and authored AB 1591, a $7 billion, comprehensive strategy to inject much needed sustainable funding into our deteriorating transportation infrastructure.

“As Chair of the Assembly Committee on Transportation, I look forward to engaging and working with the Governor toward achieving a bold, long term sustainable plan that not only addresses our dire infrastructure needs, but also creates jobs, strengthens trade corridors, and improves public safety.”

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Assemblymember Frazier represents the 11th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Antioch, Bethel Island, Birds Landing, Brentwood, Byron, Collinsville, Discovery Bay, Fairfield, Isleton, Knightsen, Locke, Oakley, Pittsburg (partial), Rio Vista, Suisun City, Travis AFB, Vacaville and Walnut Grove.

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23 comments

Unome Jan 22, 2016 - 8:47 am

Thanks Frazier ! Road and infrastructure solutions and not rediculous gun laws show you are taking care of business.

FIX ECCCFD Jan 22, 2016 - 6:22 pm

That’s great!!!! Now step up and help with fixing emergency response in your area you represent. You have mentioned the solution before. You know the answer. Please step up when the time comes and fix it!!!!! Before we have to live with something we will all regret and will follow us for years. We can only roll the dice so long!!!’

Unome Jan 22, 2016 - 6:48 pm

Fix ECCCFD
All your gonna get is lip service. It’s too risky for his career to take the lead on a real solution that doesn’t dip into our pockets. I’ll take fixin roads if that’s all he’s got. The county needs to merge the FD with Con Fire. After what has happened recently another tax attempt will never make it.

www.facebook.com/eastcountyvoters/. Jan 23, 2016 - 9:15 am

Con fire is smarter then you think!!! They don’t want anything to do with ECCFPD until they have funding to support what it would cost con fire to run ECCFPD. But!!!!! You are starting think correctly. The next question is how do we get enough funding that would make ECCFPD appealing to Con fire, cal fire, there own fire. What ever you and they want to call it. There is a new grass roots movement to help ECCFPD get there fair share of funding. It’s dynamic and once the details are worked out I believe the community will be very interested. Please go to :
https:/www.facebook.com/eastcountyvoters/. For more info.

Fix ECCFPD Jan 23, 2016 - 9:20 am

Let’s Save the Fire District,
Let’s Spend Tax Money Wisely

By Bryan Scott

At their December 7, 2015 meeting the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) Board voted 9-0 to accept a self-appointed task force’s recommendation of short term funding from the cities of Brentwood and Oakley, as well as the County. This one-time money will allow the ECCFPD to open a fourth fire station for less than two years.

The money is needed because the ECCFPD is unable to provide adequate fire and emergency medical services to the residents of the district, according to Fire Chief Hugh Henderson and Gus Vina, Brentwood’s City Manager who leads the task force. The ECCFPD receives the lowest property tax funding rate of any fire district in the county. This inadequate funding has forced the closure of five of its eight fire stations in recent years.

The County’s Auditor-Controller, Bob Campbell, has estimated that within the fire district a total of $154,000,000 is raised for government purposes through the 1% property tax. All real estate, except that property owned by government agencies, schools and religious organizations, is assessed the property tax. That translates to roughly $1,400 of property tax money allocated for government services for each of the 110,000 residents of the 249 square mile fire district.

The ECCFPD budget states that the district will receive $11,654,565 in property tax funding this fiscal year. This translates to about $106 for each of the 110,000 residents of the district. Of the total property tax district residents pay ($1,400), just a small portion ($106) is allocated to the life-preserving services the ECCFPD provides, only 7.57%.
Other county fire districts receive much more of this property tax funding. The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District receives $349 per person for each of their 169,000 residents, and the Moraga-Orinda Fire Protection District receives $366 for each resident they serve.

The most recent Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) examination of fire districts puts the county average of property tax funding at 12%. The ECCFPD would need to have their property tax funding increased by 63%, just to reach the county’s “average” funding level. LAFCO is the county agency responsible for overseeing most forms of local government boundary change, including incorporation, annexations, and special district formations.

Elected government officials work for the people of the community, the residents and tax payers and voters of the fire district. We, the people, need to allocate more of the property tax dollars collected within the fire district to the life-saving services provided by the ECCFPD.

The city councils of Brentwood and Oakley along with the County Board of Supervisors need to change the allocation of the property tax. Each of these elected bodies recognizes the need, as evidenced by their recent contributions of one-time money to the ECCFPD.
In order to make a solution permanent the leaders and members of the East County community need to agree to re-allocate property tax funding allocation percentages so that ECCFPD has a level of funding comparable to other parts of the county.

It is time we stop asking the ECCFPD to provide adequate fire and emergency medical services with inadequate funding. Each body needs to hear from the residents they serve. They need to hear from the community that it is time to correct this under-funding situation.
# # #

“East County Voters for Equal Protection” is a grass roots citizens action committee formed to address the unequal funding of fire and emergency medical services existing in 249 square miles of Eastern Contra Costa County. About 110,000 residents, as well as those who work and play in Eastern Contra Costa, have services funded at a level one-fourth to one-third of those levels in other parts of Contra Costa County. For more information contact committee Co-Chairs Hal Bray at [email protected] or Bryan Scott [email protected]. The group’s Facebook page is located at https://www.facebook.com/EastCountyVoters/ on the Internet.

Buy a Clue Jan 24, 2016 - 8:13 am

So now we have to tolerate you guys spamming your illegal plan over and over in here? @1BI95, if you think you’re going to get a commitment from local leaders to break the law you must be high. The cities and the county are not going to give you general fund money for your plan.

Before you get all wound up, the 4th station temporary money is not coming from general fund money. Which part of one-time money are you struggling with?

1BI95 Jan 23, 2016 - 3:32 pm

Scott,
You have the most logical and fair solution to solve this inequity. I stand by you in support of your effort. What we need is a commitment from the political leaders in our area to make this happen. There will be some idiots who say it can’t happen. Those idiots are in the low minority and only trying to protect their special interests. What is most important are the masses of people in this district that are tired of this inequity and want action now. It is our tax dollars and we should be able to vote redistribution. Great comment Scott. Thank you

EAST COUNTY VOTERS FOR EQUAL PROTECTION Jan 24, 2016 - 7:57 am

There will soon be a traveling group with a power point presentation to explain this to the masses. If you have a group that will be intersted in hearing the ECV plan please contact Hal or Bryan at the above email. After the presentation there will be contact info. for the board of sups, Brentwood city council,Oakley city council and various other leaders through out east county to show support for “EAST COUNTY VOTERS FOR EQUAL PROTECTION” “ECV”. Please check us out on Facebook.

Stop complaining and start fixing!!!! Jan 24, 2016 - 8:24 am

Buy a clue, would love to hear your fix? All you seem to do is wine!!!! Please get involved in a fix and not just complaining and being a doomsdayer!!!! Your right with your approach there is no fix, just complaining. We would love to hear your positive solutions to getting this right for the betterment of the community. When a opportunity here in the future arises please come and have some constructive input.

Buy a Clue Jan 24, 2016 - 10:44 am

Rob, here’s your plan in a nutshell. You’re going to incite mob mentality and insist local elected officials break the law. You don’t see any flaws in that idea?

When the gang met with Gus Vina last week, did they walk out with a check? With a commitment to fund this idea in the future? Or did they experience a cordial get together ending with being shown the door?

How many meetings with local officials do you think you will be getting in the next few weeks with your list of demands approach? What’s the over/under on that? I want to get my bet down early.

ECV Jan 24, 2016 - 11:57 am

Buy a Clue thank you for thinking we are so influentia already !!!! Were flattered. EAST COUNTY VOTERS FOR EQUAL PROTECTION (ECV) plans to bring to light the bad situation ECCFPD is in. ECV plans to educate the public in options that can fix the situation overtime and provide this community with adequate fire/emergency services they deserve. That will bring great benefits to all party’s involved. I really don’t see any down side to making the community aware of there options. Then letting the community decide by telling there elected leaders what they want. I’m confused what you are so worried about? Please air your concerns. Your comments above do not make sense? Why the anger. Really, this is for the community and will not benefit anyone person!!! It will benefit the community and our overworked,understaffed ECCFPD. Look forward to your positive help and input.

Ruth the Truth Jan 24, 2016 - 1:10 pm

ECV, please don’t confuse influence with desperation. Your spamming of this website is concurrent with someone craving attention. Mr. Scott and Mr. Bray have no workable plan. If they did it would be embraced. Their 15 seconds in the spotlight is over. Have you noticed most publications have ceased publishing Bryan Scott’s dementia? The times will follow suit shortly, just give them time, they are a little slow on the uptake.

observation Jan 24, 2016 - 12:01 pm

I agree with buy a clue. Bryan Scott and company is wasting everyone’s time. Local leaders will not support an illegal tax shift. Who cares about a power point of bad information. It is DOA.

? Jan 24, 2016 - 6:03 pm

? frustration is brewing!!!! Really think about the community and fire dept. first!!! doing the right thing for all involved!!! It’s not complicated. Put others first!!!! No egos.

observation Jan 24, 2016 - 6:59 pm

You are correct, reapportioment won’t happen. Open your eyes…..it’s not complicated at all.

Get frustrated all you want. It changes nothing.

observation Jan 24, 2016 - 8:02 pm

1BI95, can you explain to the rest of us “idiots” what special interest you keep referring to? While you are at it I’d also be interested in who is putting together a voter approved re distribution.

And who is Scott?

Thanks in advance for your complete and honest answers

1BI95 Jan 24, 2016 - 7:03 pm

Scott,
Like I said, the idiots PieMan Clan and the clueless are only a special interest minority. You have the real and fair solution to saving the fire district. Many people support your idea because it is areal solution that’s fair to all. Do not let the PieMan Clan sway you. Keep up the good work. If a donation to your solution cause is needed please post it. If not here, do it in The Press or Times. You and Hal have the right idea. There is nothing illegal about a voter approved redistribution. We just need our elected leaders to listen to us.

observation Jan 24, 2016 - 8:05 pm

1BI95, can you explain to the rest of us “idiots” what special interest you keep referring to? While you are at it I’d also be interested in who is putting together a voter approved re distribution.

And who is Scott?

Thanks in advance for your complete and honest answers

(Sorry for the repost)

It can be done!!! Jan 24, 2016 - 8:00 pm

Just can’t figure out there issue? Is it ego? Thought people got into public service for the good of the community!!! What makes them get self absorbed? It’s about the community and a descent fire dept that deserves to be treated with respect!!! It can be done. It’s comming to fruition. If ECV solution works there are no losers. Everyone wins. They can have the credit!!! There out elected leaders at the moment. They will look like geniuses ???. They can’t lose. Great position to be in. I would love to see them be Heros and make it a win for all…

B-Wood Jan 25, 2016 - 11:08 am

@It can be done

What the heck are you talking about? If you wish to make a point, slow down, gather your thoughts and proofread when you are finished. I doubt anyone knows what you are ranting about. Mr. Bray and Mr. Scott appear confused enough. Carpet bombing this website makes you look just as bad.

Unome Jan 25, 2016 - 12:19 pm

@it can be done
PieMan and the 10 aliases always try derail anything positive that anyone tries to do to help the fire district. Just ignore the immature attacks. It can be done for sure. There is support for fair services.

B-Wood Jan 25, 2016 - 1:35 pm

@Unome [1BI95]

My advice applies to you as well.

You haven’t offered anything positive nor have you answered anyone’s questions. You say “it can be done for sure” but offer no detail. If you are suggesting reapportionment, please provide us with a list of elected officials (decisionmakers) whom are on board with your “plan”. Should be easy, simply list them out for all of us.

Because right now, your remarks are nothing more than juvenile attempts at name calling which come across as…well pathetic.

You see, your real problem isn’t with anyone on this blog.
It’s with reality.

Plan for funding ECCFPD Jan 27, 2016 - 10:20 am

East County Voters for Equal Protection – Number 4
ECCFPD-Headquarters-2.jpg

Citizens Committee Announces
Plans to Increase
Fire District Funding

January 26, 2016, Brentwood, CA — The East County Voters for Equal Protection (ECV) today announced its progress in developing a program for improved property tax funding of fire and emergency medical services in eastern Contra Costa County. This area is served by the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD).

The ECV is a non-partisan citizens action committee formed in light of the fire district’s closure of five of its eight fire stations in recent years, resulting in inadequate service levels. A recent independent task force concluded that fire and emergency medical services in East County are at inadequate levels.

ECCFPD has recently accepted one-time funding contributions from the cities of Brentwood and Oakley, as well as Contra Costa County. This money is intended to open one additional fire station for up to two years, increasing the district total from three to four. The ECCFPD serves about 110,000 residents who are spread over 249 square miles.

The Co-Chairs of the ECV, Bryan Scott and Hal Bray, have prepared preliminary plans for a program that would shift $7,805,618.14 in ad valorem (1%) property taxes to the ECCFPD. The special assessments appearing on tax bills would not be effected.

The ECCFPD is currently receiving the lowest property tax funding allocation percentage of all fire districts in the county. These additional funds are expected to be sufficient to permanently re-open three more stations, bringing the district total to six.

There would be no increase in property taxes paid by property owners. Instead, property taxes would be reallocated to provide ECCFPD with funding to adequately serve its public.

The ECV program plans call for all agencies (city governments, the County, school districts and special districts) which receive property tax funding within the ECCFPD geographic boundaries – a total of more than 30 entities – to forgo 5.2% of the increase in property tax funds.

So, as an example, the city of Brentwood has a General Fund budget of approximately $45 million, $11,674,432 coming from two property tax allocations. Their contribution to the fire district reallocation program would be $603,086, or 1.3% of their general fund budget.

This would be phased in over three or four years. With a three-year phase-in model the city would reallocate $201,029 in year one, $402,058 in year two, and $603,086 in year three. This amount would be a permanent portion of the ECCFPD property tax allocation. Using a four-year phase-in period Brentwood would reallocate $150,772 the first year, $301,543 the second year, $452,315 the third year, and $603,086 the fourth year.

The same process would take place for all agencies within the fire district, with amounts varying depending on how much property tax funding is received. The total base tax for the fire district’s jurisdiction is $153,482,850.83.

These new funds for fire and emergency medical services would not be taken from the current revenues each agency is receiving, but would come from expected future growth in government revenue, so that current programs and services would not be affected.
Agency budgets would be expected to grow at a slower rate for three or four years, but not be reduced, according to the program plan. Participation in this reallocation program is voluntary, based on the crisis nature of today’s fire and emergency medical services funding level.

The committee leaders have met with and gathered input from members of the Brentwood and Oakley City Councils, county administration, the fire district board, and industry management and consultants, along with many area residents. Scott and Bray expect to continue meeting with government agency leadership as they formalize the program plans, and at the same time continue reviewing these plans with community groups. No official time-line for the property tax reallocation program implementation effort has been announced.

# # #

“East County Voters for Equal Protection” is a grass roots citizens action committee formed to address the unequal funding of fire and emergency medical services existing in 249 square miles of Eastern Contra Costa County. About 110,000 residents, as well as those who work and play in Eastern Contra Costa, have services funded at a level one-fourth to one-third of those levels in other parts of Contra Costa County. For more information contact committee Co-Chairs Hal Bray at [email protected] or Bryan Scott [email protected]. The group’s Facebook page is located at https://www.facebook.com/EastCountyVoters/ on the Internet.
East County Voters for Equal Protection
1300 Crescent Dr.
Brentwood, CA 94513
925-418-4428
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