Supervisors call on voters to just say no

Sonoma County supervisors are urging voters to reject five propositions on the November ballot, including three that deal with criminal justice issues and two that involve renewable-energy proposals.

The five-member board has unanimously voted to oppose Propositions 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10 after concluding that they will mandate funding that, ultimately, the county may be forced to provide if the state budget isn't able.

"They sound like motherhood and apple pie, however, they have fatal flaws," deputy county administrator Lori Norton told supervisors at a meeting earlier this week. "They do not indicate sustainable sources of funding and that means there will be a shifting of resources or raising of taxes."

Proposition 5 deals with sentencing of nonviolent offenders. Proposition 6 revises criminal penalties. And Proposition 9 pertains to victims rights.

Proposition 7 proposes renewable-energy programs while Proposition 10 is an alternative-fuel vehicles and renewable-energy bond.

Supervisor Tim Smith said the goals of the propositions were "laudable," but they were drafted by special interest groups that used the initiative process to avoid vetting through the Legislature.

Smith said he agreed criminal justice system changes are necessary, but he added, "I don't have any faith that we will be able to do that through state propositions."

West county Supervisor Mike Reilly said although the five propositions are just beginning to receive publicity, "we need to take a public position now because people are already starting to vote."

Supervisors said they will take up debate on Proposition 8, the measure that would ban same-sex marriages. Smith and Reilly said they would urge voters to reject the proposition, but the other three supervisors did not immediately express an opinion, leaving the topic open until next week.

You can reach Staff Writer Bleys W. Rose at 521-5431 or bleys.rose@pressdemocrat.com.