Hi, Reasonable Person. The federal government funds some municipal capital expenses, but generally does not fund municipal government operating expenses (there are exceptions). The fundamental problem in Santa Cruz is with the operating budget. Again, it would great if the federal government wasn't spending money on weapons and war, but even so, the savings would be used for expenses other than municipal operations. You might get federal money for schools, but not for general municipal government operation, the subject of Measure X. Thanks for your respectful and insightful participation, by the way. :-)