California voters agreed with California Chamber of Commerce positions this week, passing CalChamber-supported Propositions 68, 69, 71 and 72. CalChamber-supported Proposition 70 was behind in the vote count as Alert went to print.
More than 19 million Californians were registered to vote in advance of the Primary Election, according to the final Secretary of State report before June 5. Although 100% of precincts have reported their results, there still are tens of thousands of votes to count. County elections officials plan to complete their work by July 6.
Five counties in Northern California conducted elections under a new model as a result of 2016 legislation allowing voters to choose how, when and where they cast their ballot. The participating counties—Madera, Napa, Nevada, Sacramento and San Mateo—mailed every voter a ballot, expanded in-person early voting, and allowed voters to cast a ballot at any vote center within their county.
Proposition 68
Proposition 68 is passing with 56% support.
Proposition 68 authorizes the issuance of bonds in an amount of $4 billion. The funds for water quality and supply total $1.27 billion of the $4 billion (30%). The funds for environmental protection and restoration total $2.83 billion of the $4 billion (70%).
Proposition 69
With 100% percent of precincts reporting, Proposition 69 is passing overwhelmingly, 80.4% yes to 19.6% no.
Proposition 69 is a constitutional amendment to restrict the expenditures of motor vehicle taxes and fees. It is a companion measure to CalChamber-supported SB 1 (Chapter 5, Statutes of 2017), which enacted the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. This constitutional amendment will protect funds raised by the Act so that the money can be used only for transportation purposes.
Proposition 70
Opposition to Proposition 70 is leading in the vote count, 63.6% to 36.4%. Proposition 70 requires a one-time legislative supermajority approval of the cap-and-trade expenditure plan before the funds can be returned to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Reserve Fund to be appropriated. Upon the effective date of the two-thirds vote appropriation, monies from the sale of cap-and-trade allowances will return to being subject to a majority vote of the Legislature.
The CalChamber supports Proposition 70 because the measure encourages bipartisan support for an expenditure plan and allows for a process to negotiate expenditures that furthers the goals of the Legislature as a whole. The pause on expenditures will allow time to evaluate the efficacy of programs that are being continuously funded.
Proposition 71
Voters agree with CalChamber, supporting Proposition 71, 76.8% to 23.2%. The measure will clarify that an initiative statute, referendum, or constitutional amendment or revision shall take effect on the fifth day after the Secretary of State files the statement of vote, unless the measure provides a later operative date that is after this effective date.
Proposition 72
Proposition 72 is passing with 83.3% of the vote, meaning homeowners can install rainwater capture systems on their property without triggering the definition of “newly constructed” for property tax reassessment purposes.
The CalChamber Board voted to support Proposition 72 because rainwater recapture systems are an effective means of conserving water that should be encouraged.
More Information
The latest election results are available at the website of the Secretary of State at www.sos.ca.gov.
