Year 2003 has been momentous. The removal of Governor Gray Davis for incompetence by California voters, along with their electing now Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as his replacement, gained world wide attention, and changed the political landscape in the State tremendously. The entire episode represents a revolt by Californian voters against fiscal actions by elected officials, which, I believe, will trickle-down to all local level officials.

During the past year much of the League activity revolved around State and City of Sacramento activities and issues. A serious local event was the manner in which the City established a minimum Living Wage baseline of $9 an hour, with health benefits for employees of organizations and contractors working for or with the City, or $10.50 per hour for those without health benefits, notwithstanding opposition by the Metro Chamber of Commerce, almost all businesses, and the Taxpayers League. We objected, asking that the Council decision be put to the voters, as recommended by its author Councilman David Jones. The City ignored both requests. Also enacted was an Ordinance requiring organizations such as ours and others acting as advocates (lobbyists) register, pay a $100 a year fee, and report activities quarterly. We were the first to register, in October, and as of mid December, the Mayor informed me during a public meeting there were only three others to have done so. Yet the City violates its own law by permitting unregistered individuals and organizations to advocate their desires in private and public, notwithstanding it's a violation of the City Ordinance.

These acts and others indicate that the City, which seemed to be creeping toward Socialism over the years, is now beginning a gallop toward that end. When local governing officials pass laws dictating wages and conditions businesses must pay and follow with regard to their employees; when they stipulate actions to their staff to avoid putting obvious tax increases before the voters as was done in the Downtown Arena debacle; and when they ignore the US Constitution's first Amendment by restricting freedom of expression of individuals and organizations in the redress of grievances before its governing officials, they have gone beyond the pale. Karl Marx would be proud of them. The United States, as a Democracy, cannot be defeated from without, but it can fail from turpitude of its leaders within. All voters should examine candidates' records, not their propaganda, and think very very carefully about who they vote for to govern them in the future.

I have been privileged to work with Boards of League Directors over the years, whom, in military parlance, always "stand in the door" when confronted with abuses of taxpayers and the populous by elected officials at local, state, and federal level. I repeat what I wrote in this column last February. Over the years I have "looked at the faces of the very best taxpayer defenders that Sacramento County and its Cities have, and wonder where such people come from?" 'Yet all are volunteers, whose work is never compensated, and who, in truth, pay to defend taxpayer's rights." I have been proud to lead these men and women in the past, and again last year. And I know the new 2004 Board of Directors and its Officers will make all League Members proud, just as League Boards have done for the past 42 years.

Joe Sullivan
President