Voters Align with CalChamber on Multiple Ballot Measures

The California Chamber of Commerce and California voters agreed in supporting four November ballot measures and opposing three, according to this week’s unofficial vote counts.

• Proposition 2: K-12 public schools, community college bond, was passing, 58.5% to 41.5%; CalChamber supported.

The financing plan proposed by Proposition 2 will ensure that the state, local school districts and builders in new growth areas can work together to provide the financing needed to build and improve school facilities throughout the state.

• Proposition 3: constitutional right to marriage, was passing, 62.6% to 37.4%; CalChamber supported.

The measure will help ensure all couples have the freedom to marry in California and protect against any future attempts to restrict marriage rights for same-sex or interracial couples.

• Proposition 5: 55% voter approval for local infrastructure/housing bonds, was failing, 44.9% yes to 55.1% no; CalChamber opposed.

The proposition proposes making it easier for local governments to approve general obligation bonds, directly increasing operating costs for small and medium-sized businesses, whether they own or rent their property. Working class Californians would face increased property taxes as well. The two-thirds vote threshold for approving general obligation bonds has been in place since voters approved the California Constitution in 1879.

• Proposition 32: minimum wage increase, was failing, 49.2% yes to 50.8% no; CalChamber opposed.

By a narrow margin, voters recognized that the minimum wage hike results in higher costs for small business employers and consumers. In addition, the minimum wage increase contributes to inflation, adding to the financial pressures faced by families already struggling with rising costs.

• Proposition 33: Rent control, was failing, 39.8% yes to 60.2% no; CalChamber opposed.

Voters recognized that restrictive price ceilings reduce the supply of property and that rent control will do nothing to increase the supply of affordable housing. In fact, rent control measures accelerate attrition of the existing stock of rental units in the California marketplace. Studies have shown that local jurisdictions with stringent rent control have lost large numbers of rental units in their markets.

• Proposition 34: restricts spending of prescription drug revenues, was passing, 50.8% to 49.2%; CalChamber supported.

Passage of this initiative will prevent the worst abusers of the federal drug discount program from misusing money intended to help patients by requiring programs to spend at least 98% of their revenue on direct patient care.

• Proposition 36: increases penalties for drug and theft crimes, was passing, 68.5% to 31.5%; CalChamber supported.

Increasing penalties will hold criminals accountable and deter future offenses. In addition, the proposition provides mental health and drug treatment services, plus job training for individuals struggling with homelessness, substance abuse or mental illness.

Updated results are posted on the website of the Secretary of State at www.sos.ca.gov. Results will be certified by December 13.