Relevance.....
Given the current proposals to redesign the Delta and other conservation/land/water issues in the news, I think it's time to ask whether fundamental change in governmental structure is necessary.
Local governments have allowed undisciplined development of land to encourage development which generates revenues thru a combination of builders/users fees, personal/real property taxes. In addition, local business development generates local sales tax revenues for cities/counties. In most cases, development has not been regulated in a responsible way; resulting in homes being built below sea level and behind aging levees on islands in the Delta and in areas which create/have other negative impacts on the environment. Most of this activity would appear to be self serving on the part of local/state governments. There is a lot of talk about what consititutes essential services but the only real agreement is on public safety and law enforcement. Lets face it, many local governments are ineffective accept for self serving growth. I hope I'm not appearing to support some type of revisit of "Prop 13, passed in 1979, as I think that initiative is responsible for where we find ourselves today, revenuewise.
So,.... What I'm advocating is establishing regional governmental entities based on, say, watershed management areas, geopolitical management areas or some other desireable basis and elimination of city/county governments and quasi-governmental water distributors in California. Maintaining balance/separation of powers would be a necessary part of this reform but whether the structure of this regional entity would consist of an elected board or another group I haven't thought about yet.
Much to think about and discuss in this. Agree or disagree, hope you'll participate.
"America is a country which produces citizens who will cross the ocean to fight for democracy but won't cross the street to vote."
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