I believe we are in a bind in California because the average citizen does not realize just how dysfunctional our government is at the state level, and how that dysfunction negatively affects our city and county governments.

The bottom line is, the state of California keeps spending more money than it has, and when it finds itself coming up short, it steals what it needs from cities and counties. There is one notable exception to this trend, and that has to do with a distinct form of government referred to as a special district.

Special districts are special because they are primarily locally controlled entities. They are not an extension of the state, and hence, they are not as susceptible or vulnerable to financial raids upon their treasuries.

They also tend to be a form of government that can be characterized as being lean and mean. They typically only perform one function, and they do it well. Taxes to pay for special districts are fairly low, compared to other tax rates. They typically comprise a very small percentage of your property tax or sales tax rate.

One of the reasons I have been imploring the electorate to support Measure A on the November ballot has to do with the fact that the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), which administers these road funds, operates like a special district.

It collects a very small amount of sales tax per transaction, a mere half-cent for each dollar spent. But because tourists are adding to the kitty, and due to our eligibility to get matching funds from the state and federal government, this nominal addition to our sales tax can add up to a substantial amount of money.

SBCAG is a coalition of city and county governments that prioritizes projects funded by Measure A. Most all of the money raised will be used to maintain and repair your local streets. The rest of the money will be used for public transportation and highway and freeway construction projects.

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The money cannot be diverted to other uses, and the state cannot raid the funds.

Some people tell me they are tired of paying taxes, and they want to send a message. I value that sentiment, but I believe these people are confused.

Nothing will be accomplished by defeating Measure A, except creating a self-inflicted blow to our own economy and infrastructure. Measure A raises local money for local projects under local control.

Sacramento has never been responsible for our local roads, and they could care less if we approve Measure A or not.

In fact, Sacramento might like it, because they won’t be obligated to match funds with us on highway and freeway projects because we won’t have any matching funds to proffer.

Voting “no” on Measure A to punish Sacramento is akin to a kid trying to punish his parents by not eating. The kid gets weaker, and eventually loses the battle as a result of being unarmed in a battle of wits.

Most of the communities in our county are having a tough time affording police and fire protection. If Measure A does not pass, there will be literal hell to pay. There will either be cuts to vital services, or our infrastructure will crumble.

There are no two ways about it. I am considered a private-sector expert on local government budgets, and I give you my word that, if Measure A fails to gain a two-thirds majority vote, we are going to be in dire straits.

Many of us fought hard to see that SBCAG came up with a great project list for your approval, and I urge you to please vote “yes” on Measure A.

Andy Caldwell is executive director of COLAB and a 40-year resident of the Central Coast. For contact information, visit the COLAB Web site at www.colabsbc.org.

September 18, 2008