The current system 'locks in bureaucracy, diffuses accountability, and protects the status quo.' Lurie and Mandelman wrote that voters find it 'difficult' to know 'who is accountable when services fall short.' Giving more power to the mayor, they continued, would create more 'accountability.'
Two ads among the many aired during Sunday's Super Bowl broadcast didn't sell beer, cars, fast food or cell phone services; rather they were opening salvos of what could be one of the year's most expensive ballot measure duels. One spot denounced personal injury attorneys who promise justice for victims of accidents and assaults but take big chunks of settlements and judgments.
Barring unforeseen lunacy, come November, you'll be voting on cars on the Great Highway - for the third time since 2022. Like PAY YOUR PROPERTY TAXES BY DECEMBER 10 AND APRIL 10!!! there are some things you can apparently mark in permanent pen on your calendar. At the statewide level, you'll be voting about kidney dialysis and, locally, you'll be voting on this.
Consider the lawsuit brought by members of the City Council's Common Sense Caucus last month. The complaint argued that while the members don't oppose increasing the city's housing stock, three measures that will appear on the November ballot aimed at streamlining housing construction mislead voters. State Supreme Court Judge Jeffrey Pearlman on Wednesday denied the group's petition, which asked the court to void the questions until an environmental review of the potential impact of the proposals is completed.
