The Future of the California Coastal Commission

On Wednesday, Justices from the California State Supreme Court will consider the constitutionality of the makeup of the California Coastal Commission, the body created in 1972 to stem uncontrolled development of California’s coastline. At issue is how the commission’s 12 members are appointed. As it stands, the state Senate appoints 4 commissioners; the state Assembly appoints four, and the Governor appoints the remaining four. Critics question how the Commission can operate with appointees from the legislative branch, when it wields executive power. Two lower courts have agreed with critics of the commission, and today, the Attorney General’s office will defend the California Coastal Commission. If the State Supreme Court justices agree with the Commission’s critics, what becomes of the Commission’s rulings since 1976? Peter Douglas, Executive Director of the California Coastal Commission, and Matt Kubicek, associate attorney at the Zumbrun Law firm, the firm that represents the Marine Forests Society join guest host Jon Beaupre to discuss the issue.