A Rare Opportunity to Right a Wrong : Together, San Diego and Orange counties can work for more state funding

Not since Proposition 13 has there been such a cataclysmic change in the structure of state and local government as is being proposed now in Sacramento.

But this change presents an opportunity that San Diego County cannot afford to miss. If its legislative delegation, especially the Republicans, acts quickly and in concert with Orange County’s delegation, it could help rectify longstanding funding inequities that have left the county tens of millions of dollars behind other counties over the years.

The timing is crucial. Gov. Pete Wilson, grappling with a crushing $14.4-billion state deficit, has outlined a plan to shift to counties the responsibility for major health and welfare programs, along with revenues from a half-cent sales tax increase and increased vehicle license fees.

The proposal holds promise, but it presents concerns for some counties, including San Diego, that have been victimized by funding formulas put in place before rapid growth changed them to urban counties in need of more social services.

As a result of the dated formulas, San Diego County is near the bottom in per-capita revenues it receives from the state general fund to pay for required state programs.

For example, in 1990, San Diego County had 8.3% of the state’s population but received just 3.5% of the state funds for county health services. Orange County was also under-funded.

Meanwhile, the city-county of San Francisco, with only 2.4% of the state’s population, received 8.7% of the state’s funds, more than twice the amount allocated to San Diego County. Los Angeles County had about 29.7% of the state’s population, but received 40.8% of the funds.

Yet, as an indication of the severity of the problems facing all urban counties, even those receiving the most money are hard pressed to deliver needed social services.

Exacerbating the disparity, San Diego County also gets a lower portion than most counties of local property tax revenues.

Numerous efforts to correct the inequities have been blocked over the years by the powerful legislative delegations of urban counties that receive more than the state average, although some small progress has been made in the past year.

Given the preoccupation with the massive problems of the deficit and realignment, few in San Diego expect a significant change in the formulas the state uses to cut up the pie.

However, there is a proposal afoot to give under-funded counties more of a share of future revenue growth. It’s an opportunity that may not present itself again for years. Statewide tax increases with a Republican governor’s backing are rare.

San Diego and Orange counties could be major players in restoring equality. Six Republican votes are needed to pass the budget in the Assembly. There are five GOP Orange County Assembly members and three from San Diego County. They could form a powerful bloc to negotiate with Wilson to get changes favoring the “under-equity� counties.

San Diego County legislators and administrators must not let this opportunity to right a serious wrong slip by.