WHAT IS THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION?
The Charter Review Commission is a panel of ordinary citizens elected every 5 years from across Clark County to review our County Home Rule Charter (you can read the Charter here).
A Charter Review Commissioner is a non-partisan officer with a maximum term of 2 years, with 3 commissioners elected from each County Council district - there are 3 races on your ballot, with a countywide total of 15 elected commissioners.
The Charter functions like our County 'Constitution', establishing the structure of our county government and the checks and balances between the executive branch (the County Manager and administrative agencies) and the legislative branch (the County Council).
Our Charter reserves to the People greater rights of self-governance - the right to handle local affairs with less state interference. Crucially, it also reserves to the People the powers of ballot initiative, referendum and mini-initiative.
These three legal instruments are critical safety valves for all of us - regardless of your political affiliation. If County Councilors act against the will of the people or fail to act, the Charter allows us to make our voices heard through the exercise of direct democracy. Implementing the Charter was hard-fought and has already resulted in improvements to the transparency, accountability and performance of our county government (click here for a fascinating history of the Clark County Home Rule Charter).
Washington state law requires a Charter Review Commission to periodically review a county charter and recommend changes (if any) to the voters for approval. These commissions may also pass non-binding resolutions.
The Commission's ballot initiative power is limited by law to administrative matters, it is not appropriate to consider budgetary or policy proposals under this system. The Commission functions as a gatekeeper but any proposed amendments still require voter approval. Ultimately, under our Home Rule Charter, the power rests with the People.
MY PRIORITIES
Strengthen & Protect Our Home Rule Charter - I oppose any effort to weaken the Charter powers of Initiative, Mini-Initiative and Referendum. I also oppose turning the Charter Review Commission into a political football, a policy shop or a forum for cultural grievances.
Support Fair Districts for our County Council - I believe that voters should choose the people who represent them - not the other way around.
Oppose Political Interference in Public Agencies - I oppose political meddling in our County administrative agencies. I also oppose charter amendments which are intended solely to hinder or constrain our County Council.
Reform our Board of Health - Currently, the County Council sits alone on our Board of Health - public health officials and medical experts are only involved in an advisory capacity. Through a legal quirk, Clark County is exempt from a requirement in Washington law [RCW 70.05.035] requiring county health boards to provide voting representation to stakeholders with public health expertise.
As Clark County residents we should all have confidence that our public health policy is guided by the best available science and evidence-based reasoning. Currently, our legal framework leaves us vulnerable. A rogue County Council could override scientific consensus, putting their own political interests ahead of the public interest in a time of crisis.
Any proposed reorganization to the Board of Health would still require elected officials to approve any board appointments and elected officials may have voting seats on the new Board.