After months of exhaustive review, the League of Women Voters of Sacramento County has announced its opposition to the so-called “Strong Mayor Initiative” that Mayor Kevin Johnson is pushing for the June 2010 ballot. “SAVE Sacramento is proud to have the League of Women Voters join us in opposition to the Strong Mayor Initiative. This independent, non-partisan organization is extremely well-respected by most voters for its thoughtful, reasonable review process and the resulting positions it takes on the issues. We are pleased that the League came to the same conclusion that we did – that the Strong Mayor Initiative would grant the mayor an unprecedented level of power, opens the door to

The Stonewall Democratic Club of Greater Sacramento’s voter forum on the Strong Mayor Initiative served as the unofficial kickoff to the 2010 June Election season. Monday, over one hundred Sacramentans listened as the pros and cons of the Strong Mayor Initiative were debated and the majority and minority perspectives on the Charter Review Commission’s report were discussed. “I’m ecstatic about the turnout. It once again shows Sacramentans are committed to civic engagement," Stonewall President Chris Moore said. "Far too often very substantial changes to public policy are made via the ballot box without appropriate vetting. Tonight we’re trying to give more opportunity for folks to conside

When a group of opponents to the “strong mayor” initiative talked to reporters earlier this month, a spontaneous debate over the initiative took place between two local veteran politicos. Steve Maviglio, public affairs consultant and Mayor Kevin Johnson’s unpaid spokesman, sparred with Phil Giarrizzo, a political consultant who is working for the camp that opposes the strong mayor initiative. Johnson, who leads the campaign for the initiative, would attain new powers if it passes. He would assume the duties of the city manager and create the city’s budget, among other responsibilities. Johnson's campaign says that more than 50,000 people signed petitions to put the initiative on the ball

The Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce on Thursday endorsed the strong mayor initiative going before primary election voters next summer. Following study by a task force, the business association voiced support for an executive mayor with more power than the current city charter allows. The initiative's passage would change the form of city government that was established in 1921, according to the chamber. "The city of Sacramento deserves a government structure that is effective and accountable," said Matt Mahood, president and chief executive officer of the chamber, in a press conference at chamber headquarters. The press conference was held about a week after several local u

Sacramento residents can read the new lawsuit challenging the strong mayor initiative here. Bill Camp, executive secretary of the Sacramento Central Labor Council, is the plaintiff who is suing the city government, the City Council and Thomas Hiltachk, the attorney who wrote the strong mayor initiative. Mayor Kevin Johnson, who leads the initiative campaign, would have many new responsibilities if voters approve the initiative. In a strong mayor position, Johnson would attain the responsibilities of the city manager and create the city’s budget. The city currently uses a council/manager system. City Manager Ray Kerridge’s many powers include the ability to draft recommendations for the

 A group that opposes the “strong mayor” initiative says that a citizen is challenging the initiative through a lawsuit. The group SAVE Sacramento announced it will hold a press conference about the lawsuit Tuesday at 10 a.m. at City Hall. Detailed information about the lawsuit was unavailable at press time.  Mayor Kevin Johnson backs the initiative, which would provide him with many new powers. Matt Kelly, executive secretary of the Sacramento-Sierra Building and Construction Trades Council, talked about the lawsuit Monday. Kelly, who is affiliated with SAVE, said the plaintiff is Bill Camp, executive secretary for the Sacramento Central Labor Council. He added that Camp is suing as

The two opposing camps on the "strong mayor" initiative are remaining consistent in their views as they react to the Sacramento Charter Review Committee's draft recommendations.  The panel recommended Wednesday that the city maintain its existing City Council/city manager system of government rather than adopt a "strong mayor" system.  The initiative would expand the mayor's job to include the responsibilities of the city manager. The strong mayor initiative will go before voters in June 2010. Sacramentans for Accountable Government, the group that created the strong mayor initiative, opposes the 11-member committee’s draft recommendations. "Not surprisingly, the do-nothing Charter Commi

A coalition of business and community leaders, Labor, and the Democratic Party of Sacramento County announced today that they are joining together to preserve and protect Sacramento’s community-oriented government structure and stop the poorly-drafted, so called Strong-Mayor initiative that, if passed, would give Sacramento a Boss instead of a mayor. The coalition will use the name SAVE Sacramento, an acronym for Support Accountability, Voice, and Ethics in Sacramento. SAVE Sacramento will launch its new website, www.bossmayor.com, today at 4 pm. It will enable Sacramentans to learn the truth about the initiative drafted in secret by the attorneys for Sacramentans for Accountable Governme