In an effort to educate the citizens of San Mateo concerning the ballot measures in this November's election, the city council's legislative committee, composed of Mayor Jan Epstein and Deputy Mayor John Lee met yesterday to decide which measures it will ask the council to support or oppose.
The committee first heard a summary of School Bond Measure D given by Tom Mohr, superintendent of the San Mateo Union High School District.
After some questions and discussion, Lee and Epstein, decided to recommend that the council support Measure D.
The committee did not take a position on all the measures, only the ones it deemed important to the city.
Proposition 35 will amend the constitution and eliminate restrictions on state and local contracts with private entities, for architectural, engineering services, and construction project delivery. Under current law, cities and states cannot contract private companies unless there are special circumstances, for example, if the work cannot be completed by state employees.
City Manager, Arne Croce commented that the passage of prop 35 will give the city more flexibility in hiring out contractors and it will help for projects concerning Caltrans. The committee decided to support prop 35.
Proposition 37 will require a two-thirds vote of state legislature, and a majority or two-thirds of the local electorate vote to establish some regulatory charges, concerning the environment and the economy. This will mean an even greater amount of legislators or voters will be needed to establish regulations. The committee will oppose prop 37.
Proposition 39 will enable local school bonds to pass with a 55 percent vote rather than a two-thirds vote by the local electorate. The committee will support prop 39.
After considerable debate, Epstein and Lee could not agree on a position to take on Proposition 38, the school voucher measure, and decided to table the measure and put it before the entire City Council to decide on the position the council will take.
Prop 38 will make available to all school-age children, scholarships of $4,000 each year to pay for tuition at private schools. Epstein wants to suggest a no vote to the council, while Lee wants the council to take no position on the measure.
"This is a huge issue, I feel both pro and con about it and I think we should leave it in the hands of the voters," Lee said.
Epstein, on the other hand, felt strongly that the council should stand in opposition to prop 38. " I am very concerned with the amount of money this will take out of the public schools," Epstein said.
The committee then reviewed the Feinstein Gun Licensing and Record of Transfer Bill. This bill will set up a system of licensing for every owner of handguns and all semi-automatic firearms. The committee is in support of this bill.
The committee will bring these findings before the other city council members at the Oct. 2 meeting and the council will make its final decision on how it stands on the measures.
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CA Is Burning said:
CA Is Burning said:
Pappan Democrat = liar = wave you off = tax increases = more money for her and social giveaways
Dirk van Ulden said:
Dirk van Ulden said:
CA Is Burning said:
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