Local Government: Yes

In “Regionalism, Small Version” (editorial, Aug. 13) you persist in the conventional wisdom that maintaining multiple districts to deliver services (58 counties, 476 cities and nearly 5,000 special districts in California) is inefficient and would benefit from streamlining. The evidence is to the contrary. The presumption of duplication in spending with small jurisdictions cannot be shown empirically; small jurisdictions are not more expensive on a per capita basis.

Opposition from some San Diego legislators to the San Diego Regional Government Efficiency Commission proposal for a “powerful, 15-member regional government” suggests that residents value local government and don’t want to give it up. Finally, you’re right on target when you talk about the potential for joint efforts among smaller jurisdictions as a solution to regional problems.

Shirley Svorny

Professor of Economics

Cal State Northridge