Mayor Cathy Murillo once again showed her true colors during Tuesday’s Santa Barbara City Council meeting. As council members discussed the 2020 budget, the mayor abruptly ended the debate and called a recess.
Before a budget is approved, it should be questioned, debated and amended. Our elected leaders have the responsibility to do so, and Mayor Murillo’s squashing of such debate is nothing short of tyrannical. Her personal feelings toward Councilmember Jason Dominguez tainted her ability to act as a just and fair mayor.
Until his point, discussion amongst the council members had been encouraged. Leaders cannot make fully informed decisions unless they are allowed to ask questions and respond to one another.
Tyrants abuse their power in order to oppress the people around them, and that is exactly what we saw from Mayor Murillo.
