Monday, March 9, 2009
Contact: Denise Davis

SACRAMENTO, CA – During its quarterly meeting on March 6, 2009, the California Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors took a support position on Propositions 1A – 1F, the special election measures to be considered by voters on May 19, 2009. 

“Together, these measures will help California get back on track with short and long-term solutions to solve the current budget deficit and help avoid a similar crisis in the future,” said Allan Zaremberg, President and CEO of the California Chamber of Commerce. 

Propositions 1A-1F will restrict state spending in the future, force the state to put money into a rainy day account for future economic downturns, modernize the lottery so the state can get more revenue from it, transfer unspent funds in several special accounts so the money can be used now, require that schools and community colleges get paid back amounts recently cut from their budgets when the economy improves and prohibit elected officials from getting salary increases when the state has a deficit.  

“These measures provide an important framework for fiscal responsibility including limiting spending and creation of a rainy day reserve while still ensuring education, transportation projects and other vital programs will be funded,” said Zaremberg. “CalChamber urges voters to pass these six measures to reform the budget process and provide us with the solutions needed to protect us against the types of deficits we faced this year.”