To: The Sacramento City Council and Mayor
If you want to use public resources to build an arena, the public demands a vote.
I am a citizen who is very much concerned about the future of Sacramento, California.
Despite the fact that we face a multi-year budget shortfall, despite the fact that our basic infrastructure is crumbling, despite the fact that we've had to lay off police officers and brown-out fire stations, despite the fact that our city parks are in disrepair due to gut-wrenching cuts, and despite the results of previous elections where we clearly stated that we do not want to publicly-subsidize a sports and entertainment arena, our elected representatives are moving forward with a plan to commit over $250 million towards the construction of a new arena to meet the needs of corporate business interests. Because we love our city, we simply cannot allow this action to go unanswered.
By signing this petition, I am saying that I support the grass-roots movement that aims to place a legally binding measure on the November ballot, to be voted upon by the citizens of Sacramento.
"The City shall provide no financial support for the development of an Entertainment and Sports Complex (ESC) in the Downtown Railyards site without the approval of a majority of voters."
Furthermore, I understand that powerful interests who stand to directly benefit from this public cash-grab have infused a large amount of funding into the pro-arena campaign. I am ready not only to sign my name to this pledge, but to share it with at least two other concerned Sacramento citizens, because I know that only by working together as a community will our voices be heard.
Why is this important?
Recently, 7 of the 9 Sacramento City Council members (including the Mayor) approved the framework of a plan that would commit over $250 million dollars to a Downtown arena. That money would come from the leveraging of public resources.
Right now, several groups of citizens, out of concern for Sacramento's future, are working hard to mobilize the disenfranchised majority of people who would rather see basic city services protected before the subsidizing of another arena to appease corporate business interests.
By signing this petition, you will remain informed about the legally binding petition drive that is being created right now, and have the opportunity to sign your name to that document to force a vote on the arena deal this November.