Culver City Observer -

The Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District (GLACVCD) Board of Trustees unanimously voted to oppose Initiative 21-0042A1, a deceptive, developer-sponsored proposition aimed for the November 2024 statewide ballot that would undermine voter rights and significantly jeopardize local agencies’ ability to provide essential services and infrastructure for residents. The measure is being pushed by millions of dollars in contributions from developers and by the California Business Roundtable, an association that represents the largest and wealthiest corporations including developers, oil companies, and pharmaceutical companies.

“Overcoming the potential threats and challenges mosquitoes pose to our communities will require input and direction from local voters and appointed representatives on how they want their tax dollars spent,” said General Manager Susanne Kluh. “If passed, this initiative would strip their authority and could prevent a special district like ours from providing the essential services needed to protect the health of residents from mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases.”

GLACVCD joins a fast-growing coalition, including the California Special Districts Association, League of California Cities, California Professional Firefighters, California Alliance for Jobs, SEIU California, and AFSCME California.

Unless defeated, the measure puts billions of dollars currently dedicated to state and local services at-risk and could force cuts to public health, fire and emergency response, law enforcement, public schools, parks, libraries, affordable housing, services to support homeless residents, mental health services, and more. The measure:

Limits voter rights, transparency, and accountability.

• The measure would limit voter input by prohibiting local advisory measures, where voters provide direction to representatives on how they want their local tax dollars spent.

• It strips voters from local control by making it more difficult to pass measures needed to fund local priorities, services and infrastructure.

• The measure includes a provision that would retroactively cancel measures passed by local voters — effectively undermining the rights of voters to decide what their communities need.

Jeopardizes vital local and state services.

• The measure puts at risk billions of dollars currently dedicated to critical state and local services.

• It could force cuts to public health services, fire and emergency response, law enforcement, public schools, parks, libraries, affordable housing, services to support homeless residents, mental health services, and more.

• It would also reduce funding for critical infrastructure like streets and roads, public transportation, drinking water, new schools, sanitation, utilities, and more.

Opens the door for frivolous lawsuits, bureaucracy, and red tape that will cost taxpayers and hurt communities.

• The measure will encourage frivolous lawsuits, bureaucracy, and red tape that will cost local taxpayers millions — while significantly delaying and stopping investments in infrastructure and essential services.