It's about a lack of conviction, a lack of political courage. That's the story of Sacramento right now.
The capital city is marked by bloody budgets, missing water meters, uncollected library fees and a total lack of guts.
We saw it again Tuesday. A divided Sacramento City Council killed a proposed sales tax increase that would have gone to voters this November – and may have generated $16 million a year for more police and youth programs.
While Sacramento voters might have defeated the quarter-percentage- point sales tax increase at the polls, we'll never really know. We do know the measure would have added nearly 60 new hires to a city Police Department badly in need of them.
Now, there is no doubt that there are compelling reasons to oppose a sales tax increase in a down economy.
Anti-tax people are undoubtedly cheering today. You can rejoice if you wish, but if you're doing it in the streets, you should really be careful.
Try not to notice when The Bee's crime blotter reads like the obit page. Change the channel when the local news resembles a Tarantino film. Pray to God that you are not victimized.
The problem is still out there. Why? Because of the way Sacramento politics works: First, you had police, fire and city officials working tirelessly on a comprehensive public safety plan. But they were too chicken – too scared off by pollsters – to take a public safety tax to the voters this November.
Then, Sacramento County Supervisor Roger Dickinson picked up the baton and tried to push a county measure. But as often happens to Dickinson, key people didn't follow his lead.
Soon, Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo – who only recently noticed that Sacramento has a crime problem – tried to jam the gang/sales tax measure onto the ballot in nothing flat.
It was well-intentioned on her part. Some would say that Fargo was completely driven by politics – to appear that she was doing "something" – for the sake of her flagging political career. We'll give her sincerity the benefit of the doubt.
But that's never the issue with Fargo, is it? She's plenty sincere, just not effective.
The gang tax was ultimately shot down by one of Fargo's closest allies on the council – Lauren Hammond.
What does that say? What is politics but the art of persuasion? We have a compelling public safety issue in Sacramento – and a political body that couldn't persuade a toddler to eat a chocolate bar.
But this one isn't only on the politicos. Law enforcement, fire officials and city staff need to show some spine, and convince Sacramento we have a crime problem that requires civic sacrifice.
And youth counselors who pushed for the failed tax ought to stop viewing police as their enemy when it comes to funds.
Until then, the bodies – political and otherwise – will keep piling up.
Call The Bee's Marcos Bretón, (916)321-1096.
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