Lawsuit Challenges O.C. Charter Measure
Labor interests have filed suit challenging the constitutionality of Measure V, the ballot measure passed by voters in March that created a charter for Orange County government.
According to the suit filed in Orange County Superior Court, the charter didn’t follow state guidelines for how counties should establish home rule. Out of eight steps, the new charter fulfilled only one, the suit alleges.
“It unhinged us from state government without a full debate,” said Joe Kerr, one of four plaintiffs and president of the Orange County Professional Firefighters Assn. “It’s left us with more questions than answers.”
The charter was drafted by Supervisor Todd Spitzer with a single provision: to fill supervisorial vacancies by election. In counties without their own charters, the governor chooses appointees to fill vacancies on boards of supervisors. The charter incorporated all other existing state laws pertaining to counties.
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