It wasn’t long ago when Santa Ana stood on the precipice of bankruptcy. But City Council members came together and made the tough decisions necessary to put the city on sounder footing. Now, they seem to be falling back on old habits and spending money the city doesn’t have.
On July 5, the council approved a $510.7 million budget, “as well as additions and modifications” and a “$3.8 million contract with the Santa Ana Police Officers Association that grants two 2.75 percent salary increases,” according to the Register.
Councilwoman Michele Martinez voted no on both items, noting that the budget relied on $9.3 million in one-time funds, and that the salary increases will contribute to the city’s unfunded pension liabilities.
Martinez is right. Stockton, Vallejo and, closer to home, San Bernardino prove that spending and debt have consequences. Yet, many, including her council colleagues, still seem to think government debt doesn’t matter.
This is evidenced by a number of add-ons to an already strained budget, which includes “$65,000 toward a legal defense fund for immigration resource,” $35,000 to explore options for a police review board and “$350,000 toward a special election for a revenue bond to increase the general fund.” That last one, thankfully, failed to secure enough votes, but we also find the legal defense fund problematic.
While the need for immigration reform is clear, and it is easy to sympathize with individuals caught up in deportation proceedings and unable to afford to defend themselves, the right to an attorney in criminal prosecutions is guaranteed to them by the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
However, many immigration offenses are not crimes. For instance, someone who overstays a visa commits a civil offense, to be dealt with in immigration court — not criminal court — and America does not guarantee a right to an attorney in a civil case.
Using public money to help people with civil immigration cases favors them over others facing legal obstacles. A city shouldn’t discriminate against immigrants — but it also shouldn’t guarantee them special rights not enjoyed by citizens.
A city also shouldn’t spend more than it takes in.