ONE IS THE LONELIEST NUMBER proposal include all department heads, except the chief of police. The city attorney, council members and the city manager, all of whom are already considered at-will employees, are not covered by the civil service system.
There was no discernible opposition to this measure.
The lone measure to be defeated Nov. 7 was Measure W, also known as the “Good Government Act of 2006,” which failed to receive the simple majority necessary.
With all precincts reporting, Measure W received 10,588 votes in favor of passage and 11,933 against. If approved, Measure W, which was supported by the City Council, would have replaced current restrictions on gift giving or campaign contributions in exchange for a “yes” vote in favor of those giving the gift, with prohibitions against any gift giving of more than $50, regardless of the vote.
One person could not give gifts totaling more than $250 a year. City officials would also have been prohibited from making decisions on issues in which the party directly involved is negotiating, or has any arrangement concerning current, future or prospective employment with that official.
The act would have replaced the Oak’s Initiative,or Prop.LL,passed by nearly 60 percent of voters in 2000. City Hall sued the City Clerk’s Office to have the Oaks Initiative ruled unconstitutional because it believed the law prevents residents and others from participating in the electoral process, discourages public participation on boards and commissions, and is too burdensome and confusing to be complied with correctly, forcing part-time politicians to hire expensive, expert treasurers to make sure they aren’t violating the law.
Those opposed to the act, including the Santa Monica-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, claimed elected officials were trying to do away with the law because it limits their ability to raise funds for their re-election campaigns. They said the measure proposed would have weakened current standards and allow City Council members and others to receive kickbacks in exchange for their votes.
“Voters sent a clear message to the City Council that it is time to take the for sale sign down,”said Carmen Balber,a spokesperson for Election Watchdog, which distributed mailers and posted a billboard in opposition to Measure W. “Despite a very long ballot, voters hung in there and saw through the council’s attempt to overturn strong conflict of interest laws that are working in Santa Monica.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 10, 2006. Read the original PDF.