Media mayhem ignores local impact of recall

By Judy Nadler

Tip O'Neill, the legendary speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, is famous for coining the phrase "All politics is local." The New York Times Magazine echoed that sentiment recently with a story on the California recall election entitled "All Politics are Loco!" The Oct. 7 election had been the subject of late-night comedy, political cartoons, talk-radio shows, and Starbucks banter. While the implications are serious for the Golden State, there are also significant issues of concern to local government. Here are four areas that impact us on the local level:

Show me the money

While the total money spent on the campaigns has not yet been tabulated, it is fair to say that there will be record amounts spent among the major candidates and special interest groups.

A bigger problem is the money spent by county government to actually run the election.

Like an unfunded mandate, this election was forced upon the Registrar of Voters in each county at a time when budget shortfalls had politicians scrambling for ways to continue much-needed services. The estimated cost to California's counties is $42 to 55 million, with the state spending approximately $11 million to provide voters with the state voter information guide, according to the secretary of state's office.

It is unlikely those who signed recall petitions knew what it would cost â€" and I wonder if they would be as willing to sign petitions if they were responsible for paying the tab.

California: a state of confusion

While the headlines for the Oct. 7 vote have focused on the recall of Gray Davis, there are two important initiatives on the ballot, lost in the shadow of the media hype.

Both Proposition 53 (funding for state infrastructure) and Proposition 54 (classification by race, ethnicity, color, or national origin) will have wide-ranging impact on California residents. And when the dust settles on this special election, few people will be ready to focus on the upcoming fall election.

That's right, there will be an election on Nov. 4, and in Santa Clara County that means city council elections in Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Palo Alto, and Sunnyvale. Pity the poor candidates for school boards in Palo Alto, Cupertino, Orchard, Foothill-DeAnza Community College district, and Sunnyvale, who are having trouble capturing the voter's attention.

There are also several local ballot measures, including one to increase a school parcel tax and another dealing with fluoridation of drinking water in Palo Alto. It remains to be seen if the electorate will be too tired (or cynical) after the recall to turn out to vote for critical local issues.

Who you gonna call?

In the aftermath of Oct. 7, it is likely there will be a shakeup in Sacramento, but the shockwaves will be felt throughout the state. Local government depends on stability in order to do a good job. That means a reliable funding source, a steady hand in the legislature, and the knowledge that the relationships that have been developed with Sacramento and the promises made in the senate and assembly will be honored.

All this is up for grabs.

As San Jose City Councilmember Cindy Chavez explained recently, her city has been working for several years with key individuals at CalTrans, the state's transportation department. The staff members from the city and state are fully up to speed, and looking forward to beginning a major project. In the wake of a new administration, there is no assurance these individuals will continue in their jobs, or that projects already committed to will be implemented.

You might be next

Almost every city councilmember or mayor who has made a tough decision on a controversial issue has been told "you'll never be re-elected." With the recall fever unchecked, you can expect to hear threats to recall local officials, not necessarily for corruption or malfeasance, but simply because the voters disagree with the stand that individual has taken. (Just last week a city councilmember in Lynwood, Calif. was recalled. There are conflicting reasons given for the effort to unseat this 17-year veteran, but clearly the voters were in a "throw the bum out" mood.)

It will be even more difficult to show political leadership or moral courage in an environment where one decision could cost you your office â€" instantly, not at the next regularly scheduled election.

Recall elections should not be taken lightly. Giving elected officials the ability to do their job, without fear of unwarranted recall, is just good government.

Judy Nadler is a Senior Fellow in Government Ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. She is also adjunct faculty, currently teaching a class on local campaigns and elections in the political science department. Prior to coming to Santa Clara, she served in local government 25 years, most recently as the mayor of Santa Clara.