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On Thursday January 21st, Sacramento Superior Court Judge Loren McMaster issued his final decision on the legality of the so-called Strong Mayor Initiative, declaring it “unconstitutional.”
Q. Why is a major charter revision necessary – is Sacramento's form of government outdated?
A. No, it's not outdated. Under our current system, the Mayor and City Council set policy, and the City Manager implements those policies. The City Manager answers to the Mayor and Council, who are in turn accountable to the voters. Sacramento's current city government structure is a modern and popular one, used by thousands of cities across the country.
Q. How do the Mayor's powers, outlined in this measure, compare to other large California cities?
A. Combining the powers of an elected Mayor and the City Manager is a dangerous risk because it puts too much power in the hands of one person. No city in California gives its Mayor such complete power.
Q. How does this measure impact city employees and their hiring and firing?
A. The initiative gives the Mayor the power to hire and fire between 500-800 managers and supervisors, no matter what their record of performance has been or how long they have served our city. Police lieutenants, park supervisors, senior maintenance workers, and all supervising staff would be at risk of termination at the discretion of the Mayor.
The City Attorney says the language of the measure actually gives the Mayor the power to hire and fire all 5,000 city employees.
Q. What is the impact of giving the Mayor the power to hire and fire positions like the City Attorney, City Clerk, City Treasurer, Police and Fire Chiefs?
A. This initiative consolidates power in one person with no checks or balances. The Mayor would have authority to hire and fire almost any city employee, including the City Attorney, City Clerk, City Treasurer, Police and Fire Chiefs. This is one of the most dangerous provisions of this measure, in that it wipes out independent review. The language of the initiative says these positions serve at the “pleasure of the Mayor.”
Q. How will this initiative impact day-to-day interaction between residents and City Hall?
A. In a system like this, where the Mayor has all the power and resources, it will be harder for residents to have their voices heard and their priorities understood, and harder for City Councilmembers to provide effective city services.
Q. Who's behind this initiative?
A. Mayor Kevin Johnson, his attorneys, and developers and other special interest money funded a paid signature gathering and public relations apparatus that placed the measure on the ballot.
