Residents Use Web To Fight Borrowing From Cities Reporting
Mike Dello Stritto SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ―
The State of California wants to borrow $2 billion from struggling cities, but citizens from across the state are fighting back online.
It's called SaveYourCity.net, a YouTube-like collection of home videos spanning the state.
Colusa could lose more than $125,000; Yuba City, possibly out $1.2 million. From former mayors to ordinary people, 200 videos have been uploaded in the two days the website has been up and running.
"We want to have real people telling their stories about the impact of state borrowing on city services," said Eva Spiegel of the California League of Cities, which launched the site.
"Every time there's a video uploaded, that video is sent to the legislator of the person as well as the governor," Eva said.
Essentially, the site provides virtual face time with legislative leaders, letting them know how much cuts could cripple city services.
"We can't rob Peter to pay Paul," said Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson. "We'll help you balance the budget, but not on the backs of cities."
Mayor Johnson thinks SaveYourCity.net is a good idea. "Anything that gets the message out. All the merrier," he said.
Johnson has the clout and Rolodex to reach state leaders, but now, in a way, so does everyone else with a video camera.
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