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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-06-25; City Council; F; SB 75 Foran Local Government LiabilityI!') (XI I I!') 7 \0 @~-(l;~ ©)~ ~ JJ:Dcs~ 73-510 FRED WARING DRIVE, PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA 92260 TELEPHONE (619) 346•0611 June 17, 198.5 Dear Councilmember: WE'VE HAD ITll!I Our city is only 11 years old, and we are literally inundated with lawsuits that we mere frequently lose than win because of no legislation defining the extent of our local government's liability. Insurance coverage is practically unavailable, and a large loss could conceivably bankrupt a city. Once again this much needed legislation to take the monkey off our backs has reached the Assembly Judiciary Committee. We have no more hope than we did last year that it will ever get any further unless we finally take a stand to hold our legislators accountable and responsible for inappropriate use of our taxpayers' money. The average citizen does not yet realize that they are paying this bill. Instead of benefiting from increased services from their local governments, they are putting their money into the pockets of the people who file for and win these unconscionable judgments which existing law allows. We're going to tell them! As elected officials, we feel a moral obligation to not only lobby the Legislature, but also to advise the public and ask for their help. Yesterday we mailed a letter to ~very member of the Assembly (copy attached). We have alerted our local media and asked them to help us get the message to our citizens (see copy of attached radic, editorial). Now we are writing to you asking that you join us in this effort. We urge you to write all Assemblymen; let your citizens know and encourage them to write or call their elected State representatives; contact your insurance agent and ask what they are doing to lobby in support of this bill; ask your City Attorney what hi!. division of the League is doing to help get this bill through. Time is of the e:1Sence. any moment. Let's n ~· PHYL~!fo COUN~~::;E PJ/srg Enclosures This could be scheduled for review by the Judiciary Committee at t the Legislature get away this year without passing this bill. @ii-<b,~ ©:f?' ~ !]l)cs=<Sll)'(t, 73-510 F~EO WARING ORIVE, PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA 92260 TELEPHONE (619) 346-0611 June 12, 1985 The Honorable Bill Bradley California State Assembly State Capitol, Room .5140 Sacramento, California 95814 Dear Assemblyman Bradley: SUBJECT: SB 1, (FORAN) For several years the California Legislature has failed to respond to the desperate cry from cities across the State for some relief from unconscionable liability judgments plus astronomical legal fees. Many cit~es are doomed to near bankruptcy and face an even greater threat to their fiscal responsibillty by quadrupling :nsurance premiums and, in some cases, unavailability of any coverage at all. The problem must be dealt with now. To let such imprudent use of taxpayers' monies continue while cities are forced to cut back vital services is a crime for which each legislator should be held personally responsible. SB 15 is a fair alternative and should be received favorably by the Assembly Judiciary Committee. The time has passed for listening to the few, loud, vociferous special groups. Listen now to the cry of your hundreds of thousands of citizens who want to se~ an end to this inappropriate and d~vastating use: of their money. We thank you for listening and will rest assured that each of you will act with conscience. Sincerely, .1c~'"""9J tt,,r{A_j WALTER H. SNYDER v1 MAYOR WHS:pj:mpf