Brawley City Council opposes Proposition 50, citing rural representation and fiscal concerns

The Brawley City Council voted Tuesday to adopt a resolution opposing California Proposition 50, which would return authority to the state legislature for drawing congressional district maps rather than the California Citizens Redistricting Commission.

The vote followed a lengthy debate and public comment period in which residents and civic leaders gave opposing views. Councilman Tim Kelly, who presented the resolution, said the change "could set a new precedent that may alter the balance of how communities are represented" and argued the Imperial Valley needs fair representation that recognizes its border identity and agricultural economy. He told the council the city could "be a leader in the Imperial County" by opposing the measure.

Several residents urged the council to take the opposing position. Sean Wilcock handed out a fact sheet and said the current Citizens Redistricting Commission was created "to take politics out of the redistricting process" and warned Prop 50 would "put districts back in the hands of politicians." Small-business owner Sayers Morris and others said the measure would weaken the voice of rural California and could diminish attention to issues such as water, farm policy and rural hospitals.

Opponents of the resolution argued voters should be allowed to decide the matter on the ballot. Maria Pernado, speaking as an Imperial County Democratic Party member, said Prop 50 is "temporary" and said leaders including former president Barack Obama and state leaders supported it; she urged the council to remain neutral and allow voters to choose.

Council discussion centered on representation, the role of independent commissions and the fiscal cost of a November special election. Council members said they were concerned that transferring map authority back to legislators would reduce bipartisan safeguards and could further distance rural communities from decision makers in Sacramento. Several council members also noted the state's fiscal strain and said the $250 million-plus projected cost of a special election was a concern for statewide budgets.

After debate the council voted to approve the resolution opposing Prop 50. Mayor Revilar and councilmembers supported the resolution; the motion passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.