June 8 Ballot Propositions
Following are brief summaries of the measures that will appear on the June 8 ballot and reasons for the Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce positions.
For more information on the ballot measures, visit the website of the Secretary of State at www.sos.ca.gov.
(Click here for the list of Chamber positions that you can take with you to the polls on June 8).
Proposition 13 - Limits on Property Tax Assessment. Seismic Retrofitting of Existing Buildings.
Bars property tax increases on construction for seismic retrofits. Sets statewide standard for seismic retrofit improvements that qualify.
Chamber Position: Support
Reasons for Position:
Proposition 13 promotes equity among taxpayers who reconstruct or improve structures to comply with local ordinances relating to seismic safety. The measure also eliminates the disparate treatment between seismic safety improvements made to different types of property.
Currently, there exists an inequity in the State Constitution regarding the assessment of buildings that have undergone repairs to make them safer during earthquakes. Some properties, which have repairs made to increase the building’s safety in the case of an earthquake, are subject to reassessment and higher taxes while others are not.
Only property owners with reinforced masonry structures receive an unlimited exclusion from reassessment.
Proposition 13 corrects this unfair policy by providing equal treatment for all property owners who incorporate seismic safety improvements regardless of the type of building. It assures that any property having undergone a seismic safety retrofit will be exempt from property tax reassessment for that improvement.
Proposition 14 - Elections. Increases Right to Participate in Primary Elections.
The California Top Two Candidates Open Primary Act changes the primary election process for congressional, statewide and legislative races. Allows all voters to choose any candidate regardless of the candidate’s or voter’s political party preference. Ensures that the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes will appear on the general election ballot regardless of party preference.
Chamber Position: Support
Reasons for Position:
Proposition 14 will open up the primary election and choice of candidates available in the November election. The measure would enable voters to vote for any candidate they wish in the primary election, regardless of political party preference. Independent voters, the growing number registering as “decline to state,” can have a say in primary elections also.
In the November election, all voters will have a chance to choose between the top two vote getters in the primary election. Widening the voter pool of the election will lead to the selection of candidates who represent the views of a broader portion of district voters and are more likely to seek practical solutions.
More Information: www.yeson14openprimary.com
Proposition 15 - California Fair Elections Act.
Repeals ban on public funding of political campaigns. Creates a voluntary system for candidates for Secretary of State to qualify for a public campaign grant if they agree to limitations on spending and private contributions. Funded by voluntary contributions and biennial tax on lobbyists, lobbying firms and lobbyist employers.
Chamber Position: Oppose
Reasons for Position:
This proposed measure violates the Constitution because the Legislature has no legal authority to submit the provision to the voters for approval.
More than 20 years ago, voters prohibited taxpayer funds from being given to politicians for their political campaigns. Proposition 15 repeals that prohibition.
Proposition 15 does not stop the influence of special interest money. Lobbyists are already prohibited from contributing to candidates. Proposition 15 specifically authorizes politicians to continue to ask for money from special interests for things like legal fees, inaugural parties and “officeholder expenses.”
California voters have already rejected public campaign financing twice in the last 10 years.
Taxpayer financing of political campaigns is a bad idea. Proposition 15 actually forces lobbyists to fund the campaigns of candidates for secretary of state, the same official whose job it is to regulate lobbyists.
More Information: www.stopprop15.com
Proposition 16 – Imposes New Two-Thirds Voter Approval Requirement for Local Public Electricity Providers. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.
Requires two-thirds voter approval before local governments provide electricity service to new customers or establish a community choice electricity program using public funds or bonds.
Chamber Position: Oppose
Reason for Position:
Proposition 16 is funded by Pacific Gas & Electric in order to make it more difficult for local government agencies to create competition for the giant utility. The measure would force any city that wants to generate its own power to gain approval from two-thirds of its voters before proceeding. Under that standard, no city ever would be able to start generating its own energy, as PG&E has the campaign cash and savvy to swamp any electoral effort that needs to reach the two-thirds threshold.
More Information: www.powergrab.info
Proposition 17 - Allows Auto Insurance Companies to Base Their Prices in Part on a Driver's History of Insurance Coverage
Permits companies to reduce or increase cost of insurance depending on whether driver has a history of continuous insurance coverage.
Chamber Position: Support
Reasons for Position:
The measure will allow insurers to offer this discount to all drivers who maintain ongoing auto insurance coverage. It will also allow consumers to access competitive or lower rates if an insured changes their insurer. Under current law, drivers who have maintained auto insurance with the same company are eligible for a continuous coverage discount. A fl aw in existing law, this continuous coverage discount with them if they switch insurance companies to get lower rates.
Proposition 17 will allow insured drivers to take continuous coverage discounts with them if they change insurers, just like good driver discounts.
More Information: www.yesprop17.org
Measure E – Parcel Tax. Los Angeles Unified School District. Emergency Neighborhood School and Teacher Retention Measure
Measure E would authorize a $100 per year parcel tax, to be levied on every parcel of taxable real property in the District that receives a separate tax bill. The tax would be levied for a four-year period, beginning on July 1, 2010 and ending on July 1, 2014.
A Senior Citizen tax exemption could be granted on any parcel owned and occupied as a principal residence by one or more low-income persons age 65 or over.
Chamber Position: Oppose
Reason for Position:
Voters have approved five LAUSD bond measures in the last 13 years, for a total of $20 billion dollars. Many homeowners are now paying hundreds upon hundreds of dollars in higher taxes to repay these bonds.
L.A. Unified has not proved trustworthy enough to be rewarded with more money from another tax measure in these hard times.
For guidelines on political communications to employees, see the brochure at www.calchamber.com/guidelines.
