While Santa Barbara Mayor Helene Schneider  hopes to fill a budget hole with increased sales taxes, Simi Valley City Councilman Glen Becerra wants his city to head in a different direction.

Rather than punish small businesses by suppressing demand for their services, Beccerra has proposed fee waivers for any business that relocates to Simi Valley or that expands in the city. He also wants to waive plan-check and inspection fees for the same purpose.

Becerra’s plan is not a blank check, but a targeted effort aimed at pumping up the economy for the next two years in an effort to restore it to a growth path. This kind of creative thinking will help Simi Valley encourage jobs and growth and not punish people for spending money or taking risks.