This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on March 18, 2010.
Members of the San Diego North Chamber of Commerce gathered together Thursday to discuss one controversial ballot initiative: term limits for the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.
Hosted by the Chamber, two local leaders – San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council political director Evan McLaughlin and political analyst John Dadian – debated the June 8 initiative while answering questions from members.
The 45-minute forum resulted the way it began – a continuation of divided thoughts on whether Supervisors should be ousted after serving two four-year terms or not.
McLaughlin, who is a part of the “It’s Time for Term Limits” campaign, argued term limits are necessary to raise accountability on supervisors, particularly the current board. Dadian argued term limits would force the experienced or best leaders out of office and voters would have no choice but to elect “novices.”
McLaughlin noted their support for term limits revolves around the people they serve: blue collar workers. And, he said, the current supervisors have not been responsive to their needs.
“The main bulk of their [supervisors] job is to supervise federal and state programs at the county level,” he said. “The county has failed in this regard. … Its track record in providing services – like food stamps, CalWorks and MediCare – is atrocious. This is a huge concern for people in urban districts where poverty is a problem.”
When asked by a Chamber member for instances when term limits were effective, McLaughlin highlighted the 10 Asian Americans elected and the 50 percent increase of women serving in the State Legislature after term limits were implemented in 1990.
Though McLaughlin made the argument for more diversity in the state government, Dadian said he doesn’t rely on “quotas” when deciding which person is best to serve in the government.
“I don’t believe in quotas,” he said. “I believe in the populace and that they should get together and decide what’s best for San Diego County.”
Dadian, in fact, used the current problems facing the federal, state and city governments as his argument against term limits. He said the county’s problems aren’t as severe as other governments.
Additionally, Dadian offered three main arguments as to why the initiative should be voted down. He said term limits would terminate good and bad politicians; reduce voter choice and; increase the power of bureaucracy.
The two also touched on the county’s Neighborhood Reinvestment Program or as McLaughlin labeled it, “the slush fund.” McLaughlin argued that those running against incumbents don’t have a fair chance because supervisors are given $2 million each year to invest in their communities, which helps their campaigns. Though the program isn’t unique to San Diego County argued Dadian, McLaughlin said it was unfair. (The board is considering cutting funding to the program in half on Tuesday.)
As the debate continued between McLaughlin and Dadian, both used the fact that all five county supervisors have been in their current position for 15 years or more as an argument.
“It’s about accountability and the more politicians become entrenched in office, they become less accountable,” McLaughlin said.
Dadian said the supervisors’ long history in office gives them the experience to govern properly.
“It’s like any other job,” he said. “You want the person with the most experience.”
Proposition B will be on the June 8 ballot. If passed, the current supervisors would be allowed to serve for two more four-year terms.