(February 6, 2004)  Calling Proposition 56 the “most dangerous and deceptive measure on the March ballot,” California Chamber President Allan Zaremberg outlines the reasons for the Chamber’s opposition in a newsletter commentary this week.

Read the full commentary.

The commentary in the Chamber’s weekly newsletter for members points out that Proposition 56 will make it easier for Sacramento politicians to raise taxes on all Californians and warns that the provision making that possible is buried in the measure’s so-called “budget reform” language.

The Chamber is leading the broad and diverse coalition opposing Proposition 56. Opponents call the measure the “Blank Check Initiative” because it eliminates the requirement for any taxes to be approved by a two-thirds vote of the Legislature.

Californians already pay $130 billion in state and local taxes each year. Zaremberg notes, “In comparison to a state General Fund budget of $71 billion, in 2003 the California Legislature sought to increase taxes $65 billion. The two-thirds vote is the only reason these tax burdens are not the law today.”

The full commentary is available on the Chamber’s website.

More information about Proposition 56 is available at www.noblankchecks.com.

Staff Contact: Sara Lee