Why be Mum? > Rexroad.com

The Daily Democrat has this article about Assemblywoman Lois Wolk not taking a position on Prop 93.

"I leave that to the citizens." was her quote. Why?

To my knowledge Wolk has regularly taken positions on other ballot measures. In fact, I believe when she was a member of the Yolo County Board of Supervisors she voted to put the county on record supporting and opposing ballot measures.

Shouldn't those be left to the citizens too?

You can see on the front of this website that I have taken positions on ballot measures and candidates. I have done that as an individual -- on my own. Wolk could do the same.

What I absolutely object to is the City of Woodland, County of Yolo, or any other government agency endorsing a ballot position. That is when it should be left to the citizens. I have never voted for Woodland or Yolo County to endorse a ballot measure and I doubt that I ever will.

We should take positions on legislation. That is when things are within the government process. When it becomes a ballot measure it becomes part of the political process. The people are voting on it directly and government should stay out.

We argued this out on the Woodland City Council one night. My colleagues argued that it was appropriate for local governments to take positions. I obviously disagreed. The question that they did not answer for me was why it would be ok to make an endorsement on a ballot measure but not for candidates for office.

If the Yolo County Board of Supervisors can take a position that they oppose a ballot measure requiring parental consent for abortion because it is bad for local government then I don't see why they can't take a position opposing [fill in name of candidate here] for Governor because he is bad for local government.

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