Officials pushing for the consolidation of several county agencies appear to be getting a dose of their own medicine.
A bill continues to wind its way through the state Legislature proposing the creation of a regional board to oversee projects that encourage business along the entire length of the California-Mexico border. Dubbed the California and Mexico Border Infrastructure Financing Authority, Senate Bill 865 already has several important endorsements, including the backing of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce.
Should the bill pass muster, it gives a board composed of 15 members from private, state, and local California entities as well as Mexican agencies the power to sell bonds to finance projects within 60 miles on either side of the border. In essence, that covers all of San Diego and Imperial counties.
The bill, authored by Senate Majority Leader Richard Polanco of Los Angeles, assures local representation. San Diego and Imperial counties get two representatives apiece , one member of the Board of Supervisors and another person who doesn’t necessarily have to be an elected official. Not an overwhelming local assemblage, but enough representation to look out for our best interests.
Leaders of the push for the county’s regionalization balk at the thought of losing local control. Sound familiar?
That’s what many officials of the county’s 18 cities say about the Regional Governmental Efficiency Committee, the controversial measure to consolidate the county’s two transportation agencies as well as the San Diego Association of Governments and the San Diego Unified Port District. Many city officials contend the consolidation would neuter their control of land-use issues.
Ironically, it seems the ones hollering the loudest about SB-865 are the same politicians pushing for RGEC’s recommendations. Perhaps those who advocate consolidation see another, more powerful agency taking over their turf. Before RGEC’s suggestions have even hit the Legislature’s floor, SB-865 appears to be just several weeks from the governor’s signature.
Opposition to SB-865 appears to be a power play on the part of those backing regionalization. We hardly think the Cal-Mex Border Authority is an insidious plot by a politician to boost his city’s economic relations with Mexico at the expense of overdeveloping San Diego.
The authority could be an important new funding source to enhance international trade locally as well as nationally, while redeveloping the county’s lagging infrastructure. We’re all for controlling our own destiny, but to flatly reject a chance to bolster trade between the United States and Mexico because it steps on the toes of a few ambitious politicians seems to be a wasted opportunity.
