COUNTY GOVERNMENTS URGE VOTERS TO REJECT PROP 45

Santa Barbara, Humboldt, Marin, Santa Clara Counties Pass Resolutions Opposing Measure That Will Cost Government Millions, Limit Community Voices on Projects

SACRAMENTO – Boards of Supervisors in four California counties – Humboldt, Marin, Santa Barbara, and Santa Clara – have passed resolutions urging voters to oppose Proposition 45, noting the measure would undermine local laws to protect the community and the environment while increasing costs to county governments.

Proposition 45 is the California Chamber of Commerce’s 41-page ballot initiative that would roll back state environmental protections and weaken the state’s defense against President Trump’s attack on state clean air, water, and public health laws.

In Santa Barbara, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to oppose Prop 45. According to the local publication Noozhawk, Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann, who brought the item to the board, said she was concerned about the proposition’s costs if it passes and the amount of extra work for county staff. The county would have no say over the timeframe of projects, and it would likely invite lawsuits, she said.

“We’re really moving forward, and the legislature has taken steps to accelerate that work,” Hartmann said. “But this goes too far, weakening the public voice and our ability to identify and prevent lasting harm.”

Lisa Plowman, director of Santa Barbara County Planning & Development, said her department has concerns about the broadness of the types of projects allowed. One type of project she highlighted was data centers. “While streamlining is not necessarily a terrible thing, we have to be careful (…) in terms of what it is that’s in the proposition and the types of projects that could utilize that,” Plowman said.

According to the Eureka Times-Standard, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors voted to oppose Prop 45 after hearing from local citizens, the Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities, and the Environmental Protection Information Agency 30×30 Coordinator. In a related move, the county also approved a data center moratorium in the same meeting.

In Marin County, Supervisors unanimously voted to oppose Prop 45. A staff report indicated it would add an unfunded mandate by shifting more costs to the county.

In Santa Clara County, the Board of Supervisors also took an official position against Prop 45.

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