CM Peralez uses Weird Civics to justify abandoning of zoning responsibilities

California Senate Bill 9, which CM Raul Peralez supports (see nearby), would strip San Jose City Government of any direct authority over residential zoning decisions, ceding that power instead to Sacramento. Peralez embraced this newfangled position by noting that State Senator Dave Cortese represents some areas of San Jose, and he is in favor of SB 9. As a result, according to Peralez’ logic, this means San Jose residents remain adequately represented on zoning issues.

This argument flies in the face of basic logic and civics, for two reasons:

1.) Zoning has historically been an issue of local responsibility, with only very general guidelines given by the state. Statewide zoning is a novel and untested idea. Wikipedia’s History of Zoning is especially good on this issue: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoning

2.) Delegating responsibility for neighborhood zoning to a legislative body that is overwhelmingly comprised of delegates from other cities is a stunning abandonment of local control and representation. The San Jose City Council is 100% comprised of representatives that live in San Jose and are elected by citizens only of San Jose. Decisions made by this body reflect and represent local input only.  The state legislature, on the other hand, comprises 120 people elected from more than 100 different cities and other areas. San Jose has four representatives in the state legislature (Kalra, Lee, Cortese, Low), which means San Jose has only 3.3% representation in this body. Decisions made by this state government affect every city in the state, which means that San Jose has exchanged 100% control over its local zoning for 3.3% control. That's a loss of 96.6% of residents' representation and influence.

Peralez sounds like Lord North in the 18th Century when he tells San Jose residents they should be happy to have any representation at all regarding government decisions made in a far away city--decisions which are fundamental to the quality of residents' lives. Needless to say, expectations for representation, human rights and democracy have advanced substantially since the reign of King George III, contrary to CM Peralez’ curious formulations in defense of SB 9. 

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Photo by Democracy Chronicles.