CalChamber Supported Redistricting Measure Passes

(November 5, 2008) Voters went to the polls in record numbers yesterday to approve two California Chamber of Commerce-supported bond measures, support redistricting and reject two costly greenhouse gas reduction mandates.

According to a recent Field Poll, a record 13.6 million California voters were expected to cast ballots in yesterday’s election, a 78.9 percent turnout that would be the largest in more than three decades.

A CalChamber-opposed measure asking voters to authorize nearly $10 billion in bonds to establish a high-speed rail system in California, Proposition 1A, had 52 percent support.

With 96 percent of precincts reporting, Proposition 2 had support from 63 percent of voters. This CalChamber-opposed measure requires that certain farm animals be allowed, for the majority of every day, to fully extend their limbs or wings, lie down, stand up and turn around. CalChamber is concerned that these restrictions increase costs to consumers and reduce competitiveness of California’s farmers and ranchers. This measure could 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.

California voters yesterday approved CalChamber-supported Proposition 3, which authorizes $980 million in bonds for construction and new equipment at eight nonprofit and five University of California children's hospitals. Under Proposition 3, all five UC hospitals will be eligible to share 20 percent of the pot, while the state has eight nonprofit hospitals likely to be eligible for the remaining 80 percent. The money can be used for renovation, expansion, furnishings or equipment.

CalChamber-opposed Proposition 5 failed, 60 percent to 40 percent. Proposition 5 would have allocated $460 million annually to improve and expand treatment programs. In addition, the measure would have limited the court’s authority to incarcerate offenders who commit certain drug crimes, break drug treatment rules or violate parole.

Voters agreed with CalChamber and rejected Propositions 7 and 10. Proposition 7 would have required government-owned utilities to generate 20 percent of their electricity from renewable energy by 2010, a standard that currently applies to private electrical corporations. The measure would have also raised the requirement for all utilities to 40 percent by 2020 and 50 percent by 2025. Proposition 10 would have authorized $5 billion in bonds paid from state’s General Fund to help consumers and others purchase certain vehicles, and to fund research in renewable energy and alternative fuel vehicles. However, voters realized that while the reduction of greenhouse gases is a priority for California; this measure was not the most cost-effective way to achieve reductions.

CalChamber-supported Proposition 11 passed, 51 percent to 49 percent. The CalChamber has long believed that fair redistricting is key to meaningful political reform. 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.

With 96 percent of precincts reporting, voters overwhelmingly agreed with CalChamber in supporting Proposition 12, with authorizes a bond issue of $900 million to provide farm and home aid for California veterans.

The latest election results are available at the Secretary of State’s website at www.ss.ca.gov.

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