The new leader of the Orange County Board of Supervisors wasted no time in showing that public safety is his number one priority.
Within days of being elected chair, Orange County’s Third District supervisor Donald P. Wagner called for the County’s support of Senate Bill 44. Known as Alexandra’s Law, the legislation would strengthen the county’s defense against fentanyl, supporters say.
Wagner
| OC Supervisor Board
SB 44, if approved, would implement a statewide Fentanyl Admonishment. Under SB 44, fentanyl dealers and traffickers whose sales of the drug result in death can be charged with murder or manslaughter.
Wagner replaces Supervisor Doug Chaffee who had been chair the past year.
"I’m honored to assume the role of Chair," Wagner said. "My colleagues and I have a shared vision for a strong, safe, and vibrant Orange County. We will be addressing the issues that matter to all of us, in strong partnership with our community, because Orange County’s best days are ahead of us.”
The five OC Supervisors voted unanimously on Jan. 24 to add SB 44 to the county’s legislation platform and to write a letter declaring that OC supports the bill.
"The fentanyl issue is urgent,” Wagner told the Southern California Record. “Orange County wants justice for the thousands of California families who have lost loved ones. Our County and cities need the legal teeth to hold illicit manufacturers and distributors responsible for their crimes.”
Last month, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to support a Wagner initiative that allocates funding for school districts to purchase Naloxone.
“We are imploring the state to partner with us to save lives,” Wagner said. “It’s something everyone can —and should —support.”
Fentanyl poisoning kills one person every eight minutes in OC and was the number one cause of death in 2022 for people ages 18-45, according to data from the OC District Attorney’s office.
“Orange County wants justice for the thousands of California families who have lost loved ones,” said Wagner, who was previously the mayor of Irvine from 2016 to 2019.
Prior to becoming a supervisor, Wagner served in the California State Assembly, representing District 68, from 2010 to 2016 as a Republican. He has been an OC supervisor since 2019.
OC priorities also include ensuring sound fiscal spending, protecting taxpayers, and an open and transparent county government, according to Wagner.
“While public health challenges remain on many fronts, the public health spending from the federal government that we have enjoyed and from which we have lately benefitted, cannot, will not, and should not continue,” he added. “This will stress municipal and county budgets across the county. We must be conscious of this significant financial challenge as we budget for the coming year.”