Why does Mendocino County want to join the fourteen other California counties that are Charter counties? Because Charter counties empower the people to make the laws that fit their county. It's called home rule and the charter laws passed by a majority of the voters in an election are the equivalent of the laws passed by the California legislature. It is a form of Direct Democracy to protect our C
ounty, our families, and our future. For example, the environmental ordinances—no fracking, no GMO agriculture within the county, no nuclear power plants—can be given added power by being made Charter law. Another example. The bees that pollinate the farmers' crops are being devastated by neonicotinoid pesticides. Charter law can prohibit the neonicotinoids and save the bees—and the Mendocino agricultural economy. The Charter can require that Mendocino County's money be ethically invested prohibiting investments in companies that support GMO foods or pay no income tax, exploit their workers, or felon banks. Mendocino County will only invest ethically. Under Charter law, corporations can be treated as businesses, not as persons with constitutional rights. Thus, laws can be passed regarding campaign contributions for County candidates, Instant Runoff Voting, regulating corporate campaign contributions, and public financing of elections. The latest example is that a charter could limit chain stores within the county. It could require that the store premises have a low carbon footprint as well as the products they sell. It could require that the products come from places in which workers are paid fair wages, work in safe premises, and protect the environment where they are made. It could require that employees either be unionized or receive wages and benefits equivalent to union workers. And it could require annual community service from the store. All that could be made into strong charter law. And much, much more....
All power to the people of Mendocino County. Vote YES! for the Mendocino County Charter.
