Assembly Passes Bill Pooling Area’s Revenue

Despite opposition from numerous cities, the Assembly narrowly approved legislation that would force cities in the Sacramento metropolitan region to share future growth in sales taxes.

Supporters of AB 680, by Assemblyman Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), say it would encourage regional cooperation to fight problems such as traffic and urban sprawl, and to stop unproductive competition among cities for big-box retailers and auto malls.

Opponents say it is a socialistic scheme that favors Sacramento and punishes wealthier suburbs, and does not deal with the real reason cities thirst for sales tax dollars: They don’t get enough from the state to provide basic services. The bill now goes to the Senate.