One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Some Counties Say We Don't Pay You if You Don't Pay Us
The Governor in Dec. 08 | Ambidaze via Flickr
When the state isn't going to pay your county, what happens when the county says they aren't going to pay the state?Since Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has said he would hold back monies for possibly as long as 7 months in order to ease the $42 billion California deficit, "Several counties are considering some form of tax revolt -- either filing lawsuits or delaying tax payments to the state, cbs13.com is reproting.
Los Angeles is among the counties who are considering holding back taxes destined for the state--a list that includes Riverside and Colusa counties so far.
[Los Angeles] County Supervisor Don Knabe said it's important to know whether the state's threat to withhold money is legal. Generally, the state pays counties to operate social service programs and public safety, as well as take the lead on road projects. Counties collect property taxes and other fees, while the state collects sales and income taxes. "I just think we need to look at all our options," Knabe said about withholding taxes from the state. "When they say deferred payments, they don't say you can defer the services."
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
