Loomis council adopts resolution opposing CaliforniaProposition 50 after hours of public comment

The Loomis Town Council voted 3-2 on an opposition resolution to Proposition 50, the ballot measure that would temporarily return congressional redistricting power to the state legislature, Mayor Ring said after the final roll call. Councilmember Cortez, citing threats to local control, led a sustained push for the resolution and several residents urged the council to take a stand.

Proposition 50 would, for the next three congressional elections, allow the California Legislature to redraw federal congressional districts rather than the stateindependent Citizens Redistricting Commission, according to Town Attorney Frank Spandoriawho summarized the measure for council members. "This proposition 50 would allow the California legislature to act like the Texas legislature for 2026, 2028 and 2030," Spandoria said during his briefing on the item.

Councilmember Cortez framed the item as a defense of Loomisvoters. "This is not partisan issue for me. I do not care what party a resident is affiliated with," Cortez told the council, reading a prepared statement that said the measure would "risk fracturing the town's representation" and "weaken our ability to advocate for infrastructure, wildfire protection, water resources and economic development." The measure drew long public comment both supporting and opposing the council taking an official position.

Supporters of the resolution argued council action would protect Loomis' voice in Washington. Eric Eisenhammer of the Placer County Taxpayers Association told the council Prop 50 is "unnecessary, politically motivated, and costly," and warned it would split Placer County and dilute long-standing relationships with federal representatives.

Opponents, including several residents who spoke during public comment, urged the council not to use the municipal dais to take a partisan position. "I discourage the council from taking a controversial position on issues over which it has no direct control," Lorraine Thabo told council members. Others warned the town could appear to speak for all residents even though many remain undecided.

After more than two hours of debate and public testimony, the council voted to adopt the resolution opposing Proposition 50. The final tally was 3 in favor, 2 opposed. Councilmember Youngblood and Councilmember Cortez voted in favor; Mayor Ring voted against the resolution. The motion carried 3-2.

The council's resolution does not change the town's ballots; it is a public policy statement ahead of the statewide vote. Town staff recorded the action and the council did not instruct staff to take further administrative steps related to the resolution.

How this matters: Proposition 50 is scheduled for a special statewide election in November 2025. Supporters say it responds to recent redistricting actions elsewhere; opponents say it reverses voter-approved reforms that created an independent redistricting commission and could split communities of interest. Loomis officials and many speakers at the meeting said the town's primary concern is preserving local representation and the ability to lobby effectively for local projects.

Officials said the councilaction was a statement of local policy; it does not change the town's legal authority or the state process for placing measures on the ballot.

Whatcomes next: The resolution will be included in the council minutes and is intended to be a record of Loomis' position ahead of the November election. No additional staff direction on implementation was recorded.