As you are aware, the California Association of Realtors does not take positions on ballot propositions that are not real estate related. On the November 2 ballot are a plethora of propositions but none that are deemed RE Related - so no official CAR position statements.
However, if you are curious, the Southwest California Legislative Council, a business advocacy group composed of business & civic leaders from the Temecula, Murrieta, Lake Elsinore & Wildomar Chambers of Commerce (and of which SRCAR is a founding partner), has considered each propositions during the past few months and has published the following positions:
Proposition 19 - Oppose: Legalization & Taxation of Marijuana.
Prop 19 allows people 21 years and older to possess, cultivate or transport marijuana for personal use while permitting local governments to regulate and tax commercial production and sale of marijuana to people 21 years and older. Hotly debated, proponents claim this bill would bring billions into our state coffers and eliminate or greatly reduce the hold of organized crime, especially narco-trafficantes, from a legal and regulated market. Opponents simply don't want it legalized.
Proposition 20 - Support: Voters FIRST Act for Congress
Prop 20 extends the responsibilities of the Citizens Redistricting Commission and gives the commission the authority to draw boundaries for the United States Congressional Districts.
Proposition 21 - Oppose: Annual Vehicle License Surcharge to Fund State Parks
Prop 21 establishes an $18 annual state vehicle license surcharge and grants free admission to all state parks to surcharged vehicles and requires deposit of surcharge revenue in new trust fund for parks. There is no nexus - we would all pay a vehicle license tax to support parks.
Proposition 22 - Support: Local Taxpayers, Public Safety & Transportation Act
Prop 22 would prohibit the State from taking, borrowing or re-directing local taxpayer funds dedicated to public safety, emergency response or other vital local government services. Further, the act would protect vital, dedicaed transportation and public funds from state raids.
Proposition 23 - Support: Suspension of AB32 the global climate initiative bill
Also known as the California Jobs Initiative, Prop 23 would delay the implementation and operation of AB32 until California unemployment rate returns to the levels that existed when the bill was passed, 5.5% or less, for four consecutive quarters.
Proposition 24 - Oppose: Repeal of Corporate Tax Breaks
Prop 24 would repeal several corporate tax reforms that are slated to go into effect in 2010 and 2012. The corporate tax reforms were approved by the legislature and signed into law by Gov. Schwarzenegger in February 2009 as part of the budget agreement. Democrats got their tax increases as a result but now want to renege on the corporate reform portion of the deal.
Proposition 25 - Oppose: Legislative Vote Requirement for Passage of State Budget
Prop 25 changes the legislative vote requirement necessary to pass the state budget from 2/3 to s simple majority. The only check & balance we have in this state is 2 Republican votes keeping Democrats from simply raising taxes every time they overspend. This bill further states that if the legislature fails to pass a budget by June 15, all members of the legislature would permanently forfeit any reimbursement for salary and expenses until the budget is passed. Not nearly enough incentive to forgo our slim safeguard of 2/3 requirement.
Proposition 26 - Support: Legislative Vote Requirement for State Levies & Charges
Prop 26 increases legislative vote requirements to 2/3 for state levies and charges with limited exceptions, and for certain taxes currently subject only to majority vote.
Proposition 27 - Oppose: Eliminate State Commission on Redistricting
Prop 27 voids Prop 20 by eliminating the 14 member public redistricting commission and it's authority and places the authority to set boundaries back with elected representatives responsible for setting their own districts. This gerrymandering approach has resulted in the fact that since 2000 just 1 single legislative seat in Sacramento has changed parties and is responsible for much of the gridlock and dysfunction we are experiencing today.
As always, we encourage you to do your own research and draw your own conclusions about what is best for you and our state. These suggestions are the result of considerable debate by a 15 member board of local business and civic leaders and represent the consensus of that body, not necessarily the individual opinion of each member.
Remember - I'm a Realtor® and I VOTE. Make YOUR voice heard on November 2.
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