Mendocino County Supervisors Revisit Climate Language in Legislative Platform
In a recent meeting, Mendocino County’s Board of Supervisors delved into discussions on updating the language in the climate resilience section of the county’s 2026 legislative platform. This platform serves as a guiding document for the county’s stances on both state and federal legislative matters.
The Board initially approved a draft of the legislative platform on November 18, allowing room for further amendments if necessary. Changes had previously been made to substitute “climate change” with “climate resiliency,” largely to avoid potential funding exclusions by President Donald Trump’s administration, known for its efforts to roll back climate change initiatives.
Supervisor Ted Williams, representing coastal regions like Mendocino, Albion, and Point Arena, advocated for reverting to terms like “climate change” in the document. He emphasized that his constituents are keen on preserving the original terminology, which they believe better represents their values.
“The people have the same information I do, and overwhelmingly in one direction, they’re asking that we represent their values in the language of their choosing. It’s a way to be transparent about what we represent as a county,” Williams stated. He expressed unease about disregarding public opinion in favor of federal administrative preferences.
Conversely, Supervisor Madeline Cline highlighted the risk of rescinded funding, as evidenced by previous actions taken by the Trump administration against climate projects in Democratic-leaning states. She indicated a preference for cautious language that aligns with the county’s goals without jeopardizing financial support.
Board Chair Supervisor John Haschak advocated for language that aligns with the county’s beliefs on climate change and diversity. He tasked Williams and Supervisor Maureen Mulheren with integrating elements from both drafts and presenting the amendments at the January meeting.
The upcoming Mendocino County Board of Supervisors meeting is scheduled for January 6 at 9 a.m. in the board chambers at 501 Low Gap Road, Ukiah. Meetings are also accessible online via Zoom. For more information, including agendas, visit this website.
This story originally appeared in The Mendocino Voice.
Original Story at localnewsmatters.org