The Chamber Puts Forth Positions On Statewide Ballot Measures

The Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce today announced its positions on several statewide ballot measures in the 2020 General Municipal Election on November 3.

“These ballot measures are important issues that may have a lasting impact for many Chamber members and also the business community at large,” said Jeremy Harris, President & CEO, Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. “We go to great lengths vetting each measure to make sure that we have the best interests of our constituents under consideration.”

Twelve statewide ballot measures were certified to appear in the upcoming election with a variety of issues including rent control, employee classification, property tax law, dialysis clinic staffing, cash bail, and stem cell research. The following are the positions put forth by the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce:

- Proposition 15 - Tax on Commercial and Industrial Properties for Education and Local Government Funding:

Definition - Proposition 15 would amend the California State Constitution to require commercial and industrial properties, except those zoned as commercial agriculture, to be taxed based on their market value.

Position - The Chamber takes a “NO” position because of the ambiguity regarding implementation and the negative implications for small businesses. If passed, the measure would be one of the largest tax increases in the State’s history.

- Proposition 19 - Property Tax Transfers, Exemptions, and Revenue for Wildfire Agencies and Counties Amendment:

Definition - Proposition 19 would allow for California homeowners who are 55 or older to purchase a new home and keep their property tax payment at the same level or a reduced rate —depending on the value of the new house. This expands a long-standing program that is available only in a few counties in the state.

Position - The Chamber takes a “YES” position because of the limits on property tax increases on primary residences for seniors, people with severe disabilities, families, and wildfire and natural disaster victims.

- Proposition 21 - Local Rent Control Initiative:

Definition - Proposition 21 would allow local governments to adopt rent control on housing units, except on (a) housing that was first occupied within the last 15 years and (b) units owned by natural persons who own no more than two housing units with separate titles, such as single-family homes, condos, and some duplexes, or subdivided interests, such as stock cooperatives and community apartment projects.

Position - The Chamber takes a “NO” position because of the negative implications and the potential disincentive for new construction in California further limiting quality and quantity of housing.

- Proposition 22 - App-Based Drivers as Contractors and Labor Policies Initiative:

Definition - Proposition 22 would exempt “app-based” drivers from AB 5 regulations regarding standard wage and hour restrictions and allow for them to remain as independent contractors. It would also guarantee these drivers an earnings floor, a stipend to purchase health insurance and other minimum benefits.

Position - The Chamber takes a “YES” position as this measure will save hundreds of thousands of jobs. This will also protect those who use app-based driving as a second job to supplement their income. Also, restaurants have been drastically impacted by COVID-19 and many rely on the ease and affordability of delivery platforms when they are limited on other dining options. Without the passage of this measure it may become more difficult and costly for restaurants to use these platforms.

- Proposition 23 - Dialysis Clinic Requirements Initiative:

Definition - Require dialysis clinics to have at least one physician on site at all times and to report patient infection data to California health officials.

Position - The Chamber takes a “NO” position because this measure would unnecessarily increase health care costs and make the doctor shortage worse for all Californians by moving thousands of practicing doctors into non-caregiving roles in dialysis clinics.

- Proposition 24 - Consumer Personal Information Law and Agency Initiative:

Definition - Proposition 24 would expand or amend the provisions of the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (CCPA), create the California Privacy Protection Agency, and remove the ability of businesses to fix violations before being penalized for violations.

Position - The Chamber takes a “NO” position because this measure will place a large burden on businesses in California, which is already the most litigious state as well as the state with the strongest consumer privacy laws.

For information on the campaign committees that have organized to support or oppose the 2020 propositions on the statewide ballot, please go to the California Finance Activity Propositions & Ballot Measures webpage at http://cal-access.sos.ca.gov/Campaign/Measures/

The Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is one of the largest membership chambers of commerce in Los Angeles County. The LBACC is the platform for the business community to provide leadership, education and advocacy so that the Long Beach area thrives in the 21st century. For more information, please visit www.lbchamber.com