During its quarterly meeting on September 5, 2008, the California Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors considered seven ballot measures that will appear on the November 4, 2008 General Election ballot
“There are many competing demands for resources in our state and we must carefully set our funding priorities,” said California Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Allan Zaremberg. “Although a comprehensive water bond will not appear on the November 2008 ballot, we must reserve future debt capacity to address one of the state’s most critical needs. The positions taken by our Board on November ballot measures reflect that priority.”
Zaremberg announced that the Board voted to take the following positions:
Proposition 1A: High Speed Passenger Train Bond Act — Oppose
“California will need to invest at least $50 billion to complete a statewide high speed rail system. There are other projects that mitigate congestion that should be a higher priority,” said Zaremberg.
Proposition 2: The Standards for Confining Farm Animals Act — Oppose
“California imposes more restrictions on agriculture and agricultural practices than any other state. These restrictions increase costs to consumers and reduce competitiveness of California’s farmers and ranchers. This measure would severely damage commercial egg production in California, result in the loss of thousands of jobs, hurt school lunch programs and businesses like grocery stores and restaurants, and compromise food safety,” said Zaremberg.
Proposition 3: Children’s Hospital Bond Act — Support
“Expanding and improving children’s hospitals are an important health care priority. Without continued investments in medical equipment and facilities, California’s health care system will not be prepared to meet the needs of our expanding population. The children served by these hospitals are in need of specialized services and the hospitals that treat them do so without regard to a family’s ability to pay. This measure will expand capacity and bring hope to critically ill children and their families,” said Zaremberg.
Proposition 5: Nonviolent Offender Rehabilitation Act — Oppose
“This measure would reduce penalties for crimes against business and would limit the ability of judges to hold parole violators accountable. Property and white collar crimes are costly for businesses and consumers,” said Zaremberg.
Proposition 6: Safe Neighborhoods Act — No Position
Proposition 10: Renewable Energy & Clean Alternative Fuel Act — Oppose
“The reduction of greenhouse gases is a priority for our state, however this measure is not the most cost effective way to achieve reductions. Proposition 10 does not allow all technologies to compete for taxpayer dollars. CalChamber has long advocated for sound, cost effective energy policies that are market driven and technology or fuel neutral. Unfortunately, this measure does not meet that test,” said Zaremberg.
Proposition 12: Veteran’s Bond Act — Support
“California’s business community supports our brave men and women in uniform. This initiative would make today’s wartime veterans eligible for the Cal-Vet loan program, enabling more of them to purchase homes at low interest rates,” said Zaremberg. “The program is self-liquidating and does not impact overall bond indebtedness for the state.”
In May, the CalChamber Board of Directors took positions on these initiatives:
Proposition 7: Solar and Clean Energy Act of 2008 — Oppose
“The CalChamber Board of Directors voted to oppose this measure due to its potential to substantially drive up energy prices in the state,” said Zaremberg.
Proposition 11: The California Voters First Initiative — Support
“CalChamber has long believed that fair redistricting is key to meaningful political reform,” said Zaremberg. “The California Voters First Initiative will allow the citizens of California -- rather than the Legislature -- to create legislative districts that will require elected officials be accountable to the voters.”