142411~Scrap the Coastal Commission—In his ambitious reform
agenda, Governor Schwarzenegger has called for the elimination of
hundreds of government boards and commissions throughout
California’s bureaucracy. Many of these have outlived their
usefulness and interfere with the efficient and accountable
delivery of services. The California Coastal Commission is one that
needs to be added to the Governor’s list.
To answer Sen Denham’s question, Proposition 20 took power away from locally elected officials and gave it to politically appointed commissioners because it was apparent that,left in the hands of local governments, the beauty of the California coastline was in danger of over-development by entities who cared more about bottom-lines than coastlines.
The people of the State of California knew that rich developers wouuld use their money and resources to corrupt local officials and push through coastal development. The legislature understood this as well when it responded to the people’s concerns nad made the Commission permanent.
Every government agency has its shortcomings, but to suggest that the Coastal Commission be scrapped without providing a viable alternative to protect the coastlines of California from the same forces that have continually fought to weaken coastal protections over the last 33 years, is counterproductive to the wishes of the people of California.
