This is an archive of a past election. See http://www.smartvoter.org/ca/sd/ for current information. |
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Proposition G City Charter Adoption City of Escondido Majority Approval Required Fail: 9629 / 37.24% Yes votes ...... 16229 / 62.76% No votes
See Also:
Index of all Propositions |
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Information shown below: Summary | Yes/No Meaning | Arguments | | |||||
Shall the City of Escondido be changed from a general law city to a charter city through the adoption of the charter proposed by Resolution 2014-70 of the Escondido City Council?
Escondido is presently a general law city, subject to all applicable provisions of state law. If Measure G passes, Escondido will become a charter city and will be able to exercise greater control over matters of local concern. The charter would serve as the City's constitution and would provide the City with the authority permitted by law to control its municipal affairs. A city charter is subject only to conflicting provisions in the state or federal constitutions and preemptive state laws. The full text of the charter is included in the ballot pamphlet. The following summarizes the key provisions of the proposed charter: The City is granted all powers that may be lawfully exercised by a charter city over its municipal affairs. All local laws not in conflict with the charter remain in effect unless repealed, amended, changed or superseded. The existing Council-Manager form of government and the elective officers of the City will not change. The City Council will set duties and compensation of the City Treasurer by ordinance. The charter will repeal Proposition N which formerly established the City Treasurer's duties and salary. The composition of the City Council and the terms of the elected officers will not change. The salaries of the Mayor and Councilmembers will continue to be set by state law which does not require voter approval. The City Council can fill vacant elective offices within sixty days by appointment or by calling for an election. The proposed charter states the City will promote fair and open competition for all City construction projects. The charter prohibits the City from deducting political contributions from the wages of City employees. The charter requires the City to continue to follow state law in land use, planning and zoning matters. In the future, the charter may be adopted, amended or repealed by majority vote of the electorate.
JEFFREY R. EPP
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Arguments For Proposition G | Arguments Against Proposition G | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Voting YES to make Escondido a Charter city, empowers our citizens to take control of our city,
protect taxpayers, and prevent Sacramento from wasting our tax dollars.
After careful study, the City Council voted to ask our residents to choose to become a charter city subject to our state Constitution's "home rule" provisions. These provisions are based on the concept that residents of a city, rather than state legislators, best know their city's needs. As a charter city, power over city matters is transferred from the state to our residents through their elected representatives. Sacramento politicians have confiscated city resources to pay for the billion-dollar deficits they've created, while creating unfunded mandates on our local government. State lawmakers have imposed numerous statutes governing uncharted cities which reflect the values of a majority in the legislature, not necessarily a majority in Escondido, which is the reason that more than onehalf of the state's population has chosen to adopt charters for their cities. The charter:
YES to local control. YES to taxpayer protection. YES to the Escondido Charter.
_______________________________________________________________________ For taxpayer protection VOTE NO on Prop. G
VOTE NO, AGAIN, on removing taxpayer protections. VOTE NO, AGAIN, on the politician power grab. Vote NO on Proposition G -- it's risky, unnecessary and misleading. Learn more at http://www.EscondidoCharterWatch.org
| There is no public demand for charter status - the City Council majority put it on the ballot. Not one resident spoke in favor of the change at five public comment opportunities. In 2012, Escondido voters rejected a charter city proposal. So why is it back on the ballot? Proposition G is a power grab, an unnecessary and dangerous change. Like 75% of California cities, Escondido operates under General Law, which protects the taxpayer and has worked well since 1888. But a few bad decisions under a charter can result in a bankrupt Escondido. Ask San Bernardino, Vallejo, or Stockton -- charter cities that went broke. Proposition G contains serious loopholes and weaknesses. There is no reason to rewrite our city's constitution and grant broad and unrestrained new powers to the City Council. Charter status:
Vote "NO" - again -- on Charter City. Learn more: http://www.escondidocharterwatch.org
Sacramento is a mess because of big government, Escondido doesn't have to be. Escondido is the 37th largest of the 478 incorporated cities in California and we continue to grow, building new homes, new schools and new businesses that create jobs for our citizens. Escondido is finally on the right track to prosperous growth and a vibrant economy and we need the power to shape our government locally.
FICTION: Charter grants unchecked authority to council members FACT: Council authority is still limited by state laws and by voters
FICTION: Charter allows "back room deals" FACT: California's open government law, "The Brown Act" still applies fully under the charter
FICTION: Charter allows council to "give" taxpayer funds to special interests with no conditions FACT: This claim is totally false, State law will still prohibit "give-aways"
FICTION: Charter will not allow for competitive bidding or assure competence of contractors FACT: Charter status will NOT end competitive bidding Vote YES on the Charter City, yes for Escondido Taxpayers and Yes to local control.
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