I have spent four years on the Woodland City Council and three on the Yolo County Board of Supervisors. This time of year I always get to be the lone "No" vote on taking positions on several ballot propositions.
On Tuesday one of my colleagues has put a resolution to oppose Prop 16 on our agenda. I oppose Prop 16 too. I also hate PG&E. I just don’t think local governments should be endorsing political candidates or measures.
Some of you will clearly be saying to yourself that "But this impacts local government. Cities and counties need to take a position." Nope.
I would argue that Jerry Brown is bad for local government. So why don’t we just have cities and counties all over the state endorse for Governor too? We can just take a position that we want "Anyone but Jerry Brown". That is good for local government yet almost everyone would say that is inappropriate.
It is wrong for local governments to get involved in the political process. I personally don’t see the distinction between ballot measures and candidates. Thus, I will be voting no regarding Yolo County’s position on Prop 16 but will be working privately to see Prop 16 defeated.