CalChamber Recaps Positions on June Ballot Measures
Today is the first day to vote by mail in California’s primary election.
Five counties in Northern California will be conducting elections under a new model where voters can choose how, when and where they cast their ballot. The participating counties—Madera, Napa, Nevada Sacramento and San Mateo—will be mailing every voter a ballot, expanding in-person early voting, and allowing voters to cast a ballot at any vote center within their county.
The changes are a result of the California Voter’s Choice Act, passed in 2016 to modernize elections in the state.
CalChamber Positions
Proposition 68
Authorizes Bonds Funding Parks, Natural Resources Protection, Climate Adaptation, Water Quality and Supply, and Flood Protection.
Authorizes $4 billion in general obligation bonds for: parks, natural resources protection, climate adaptation, water quality and supply, and flood protection.
Placed on Ballot by: Legislature.
CalChamber Position: Support
Reasons for Position
The CalChamber Board voted to support the measure because it will provide funds for: groundwater cleanups that improve water quality; flood protection and repair; clean drinking water projects; and parks in urban and disadvantaged communities.
More Information: www.yes68ca.com
Proposition 69
Requires that Certain New Transportation Revenues Be Used for Transportation Purposes. Legislative Constitutional Amendment.
Requires that certain revenues generated by a 2017 transportation funding law be used only for transportation purposes and generally prohibits Legislature from diverting funds to other purposes.
Placed on Ballot by: Legislature.
CalChamber Position: Support
Reasons for Position
The CalChamber Board voted to endorse this measure to add protections for the new transportation revenues approved under CalChamber-supported SB 1 (Beall; D-San Jose; Chapter 5, Statutes of 2017), which enacted the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
More Information: YesProp69.com
Proposition 70
Requires Legislative Supermajority Vote Approving Use of Cap-and-Trade Reserve Fund. Legislative Constitutional Amendment.
Beginning in 2024, requires that cap-and-trade revenues accumulate in a reserve fund until the Legislature, by a two-thirds majority, authorizes use of the revenues.
Placed on Ballot by: Legislature.
CalChamber Position: Support
Reasons for Position
The CalChamber Board voted to support this measure because it will encourage bipartisan support for a cap-and-trade expenditure plan and allow for a process to negotiate expenditures that furthers the goals of the Legislature as a whole.
More Information: www.calchamber.com/ballot
Proposition 71
Sets Effective Date for Ballot Measures. Legislative Constitutional Amendment.
Provides that ballot measures approved by a majority of voters shall take effect five days after the Secretary of State certifies the results of the election.
Placed on Ballot by: Legislature.
CalChamber Position: Support
Reasons for Position
The CalChamber Board voted to support the measure because allowing initiatives and referenda to go into effect before the vote has been certified by the Secretary of State can create confusion and even the erroneous implementation of new law.
More Information: kevin.mullin@asm.ca.gov
Proposition 72
Permits Legislature to Exclude Newly Constructed Rain-Capture Systems from Property-Tax Reassessment Requirement. Legislative Constitutional Amendment.
Permits Legislature to allow construction of rain-capture systems, completed on or after January 1, 2019, without requiring property-tax reassessment.
Placed on Ballot by: Legislature.
CalChamber Position: Support
Reasons for Position
The CalChamber Board voted to support Proposition 72 because rain water recapture systems are an effective means of conserving water that should be encouraged.
More Information: SaveCaWater.org
Election Resources
For information on how to register to vote or how to vote, contact the office of the Secretary of State at 1-800-345-VOTE (8683) or visit www.sos.ca.gov.
The website includes links to check voter status, register to vote online and the official voter information pamphlet.
Election information also is available on the California Chamber of Commerce grassroots website at www.calchambervotes.com.
Dates to Remember
- May 7: First day to vote by mail.
- May 21: Last day to register to vote.
- May 29: Last day to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot by mail.
- June 5: Election Day. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
