Pubdate: Wed, 10 Sep 2014
Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM)
Copyright: 2014 Albuquerque Journal
Contact:  http://www.abqjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/10
Page: A6

COUNTY PICKS POLITICS OVER DOING THE PUBLIC'S BUSINESS

What do the two advisory questions from the Bernalillo County 
Commission have in common with the three real ballot questions 
approved by the Albuquerque City Council? Nothing. Because the 
commission's two questions won't change the law regarding penalties 
for possession of small amounts of marijuana or institute a 
grossreceipts tax to provide facilities and care for the mentally 
ill. And even if they did, there has been no legal opinion as to the 
constitutionality of the first and no fiscal details on how the 
projected millions of dollars would be spent from the second.

Yet absent a successful court challenge both will be on the Nov. 4 
ballot - supplanting important city issues - so the county can, in 
the words of Commission Chairwoman Debbie O'Malley, "let the people 
speak." Speak to what end, exactly?

More on that in a minute.

Meanwhile, the city's three questions if passed would have 
immediately supplied additional, accountable oversight and input into 
how the city hires a police chief for its embattled department - 
which happens to be the largest law enforcement agency in the state; 
helped ensure that petition initiatives don't continue to cost 
taxpayers $500,000 a pop for special elections; and provided funding 
for city redevelopment projects.

Yet these important issues won't be on the general election ballot 
because O'Malley and fellow Democrats Art De La Cruz and Maggie Hart 
Stebbins decided floating their exploratory questions - and trying to 
drum up some additional voters interested in cutting penalties for 
lighting up - is more important than doing the real business of the 
555,417 residents of Albuquerque, all of whom happen to reside within 
Bernalillo County.

O'Malley justifies the move by arguing that the legally problematic 
pot decriminalization and indeterminate mental health funding "are 
the issues that matter to the community, and that's why the 
Bernalillo County Commission has decided to start this honest 
conversation with Bernalillo County voters."

An overcrowded jail - with the primary driver not a little bit of 
weed but a "system (that) has one of the worst records of delay in 
the nation" according to an independent report earlier this year - 
and mental health treatment are important issues facing the 
community. But using the general election ballot to conduct an 
opinion poll at the expense of real business and serious debate is 
pure politics at best and irresponsible governance at worst.

This transparent Bob Dylan memorial trial balloon is a disservice to 
voters because it puts the very real, very vetted, very pressing 
business of the majority of the commission's constituents on hold.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom