Home Issues February 2008 Statewide Propositions

February 14, 2008

Ontario Chamber Weighs In On February Election

As voters showed up to the polls in record numbers during the February 5, 2008 presidential primary election, a vast majority of voters agreed with most of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s positions. The Chamber’s positions were made public in January via a press release and articles in the Chamber’s monthly business journal newsletter.

The Chamber supported Propositions 91 and 92, which both failed, and even though the voters did not agree with the chamber on these particular propositions there will be ultimately no impact to the bottom line of businesses in California. Proposition 91, according to the proponents pulled their support of the proposition, because it was not a necessity since the passage of a similar proposition in the November 2006 election. Proposition 91 would have prevented the legislature from raiding transportation funds to offset state budget deficits. It is a policy of the Ontario Chamber to review and consider transportation improvement plans that relieve congestion on freeways, streets and roads, and ensure mobility within the Ontario region.

The Ontario Chamber supported Proposition 92 which failed to pass the consideration of voters. Proposition 92 aimed to decrease community college tuition and stabilize their funding by guaranteeing fiscal considerations in the state budget. It is the policy of the Ontario Chamber to monitor and consider policies that impacts education systems in our region that prepares people for 21st century jobs and careers.

“The Ontario Chamber is taking steps towards informing the business community that their voices can be heard, especially on issues that impact the business community,” stated Mark Smiley, President/CEO of the Ontario Chamber. “We are looking to take more positions on legislative issues and future propositions over the course of the year that will have an impact on the overall economic status of our community,” Smiley continued.

Voters, however, did agree with the chamber on Propositions 93 and 94-97. Proposition 93 failed at the ballot box. It would have decreased State Assemblymember and State Senator terms from 14 to 12 years total and allow them to serve in either house for 12 years total. The Ontario Chamber believed that Proposition 93 did not go far enough to reform the political process in California by reforming the way legislative districts are created every ten years. It is the policy of the Ontario Chamber to review and consider measures that reform the state’s redistricting process and remains a top priority in 2008.

The passage of Propositions 94 through 97 should bring Ontario businesses and most notably an increase in tourism dollars via the Ontario Airport. Ontario should benefit greatly from these four propositions which expanded the amount of slot machines each of four Indian casinos within an hour’s drive of Ontario. Passage of these Propositions will allow an estimated $9 billion over the next two decades to be paid to the state to be used to pay down the budget deficit and may also be used as new funding for schools, public safety and other services. It is the policy of the Ontario Chamber to review policies that preserve, promote and progresses the economic vitality of Ontario’s regional aviation industry.

This is only the beginning to what could be a very busy legislative year with more propositions planned and before voters for the June and November elections.
 

January 25, 2008

Ontario Chamber’s Positions on the February 2008 Statewide Propositions

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce has reviewed and taken positions on ballot propositions slated for the February 2008 statewide ballot. These positions are only the beginning of what could be over twenty propositions to be placed before voters between February and November 2008. 

“Statewide propositions have a direct impact on the economic vitality of the Ontario business community,” stated Mark Smiley, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber. “Our business community can depend on the Chamber to represent their interests in supporting and opposing issues that impact them most,” Smiley continued.

The following propositions, the Chamber’s positions, and how they align with our board of directors-approved policy platform of issues serve as a way of educating our business community on their potential impact to the economic vitality of California and the Ontario region.

Proposition 91 - Transportation Funding
Ontario Chamber Position: SUPPORT

This ballot measure would prohibit the use of funds that are earmarked for transportation to be used for anything else other than transportation related issues after July 2008. This measure eliminates General Fund borrowing of specified transportation funds, except for cash-flow purposes.

 
Those require repayment within 30 days of adoption of budget which the current law allows borrowing for three years when the Governor declares the transfer would cause significant negative fiscal impact on governmental functions.

The legislature would then enact authorizing statute.
 

The Chamber supports Proposition 91 because transportation infrastructure is one of the Ontario business community’s top priorities. Further limiting the state legislature’s ability to raid transportation funding to balance their budgets is the wrong approach to securing much needed transportation infrastructure investments.
It is a public policy priority of the Chamber to review and consider transportation improvement plans that relieve congestion on freeways, streets and roads, and ensure mobility within the Ontario region.
 

Proposition 92 - Community Colleges Funding and Governance
Ontario Chamber Position: SUPPORT
 

This measure establishes in the California State Constitution a system of independent community college districts and a statewide Board of Governors. The system, along with the college districts and statewide Board of Governors would oversee the community college system. The proposition would also set community college fees at $15 per unit per semester and would limit fee increases.

The Chamber supports Proposition 92 because of how the California Community Colleges play a role in the workforce development in the Ontario area. The Chamber makes it a public policy priority to ensure access to its workforce.

The California Community Colleges make an economical impact throughout California on the areas they serve. Proposition 92 will make sure that California Community Colleges are affordable to those who wish to attend for years to come.
 

Proposition 93 - Limits on Legislator's Terms in Office
Ontario Chamber Position: OPPOSE
 

Proposition 93 would reduce the total amount of time a person may serve in the state legislature from 14 years to 12 years. This would allow an individual to serve a total of 12 years either in the Assembly, the Senate, or a combination of both. The proposition provides a transition period to allow current members to serve a total of 12 consecutive years in the house in which they are currently serving, regardless of any prior service in another house.
 

The Chamber opposes Proposition 93 because political reform in California must include reforming the redistricting process. Currently, the areas that state elected officials represent (districts) are determined every ten years after the census. The state legislature itself determines the districts, not a non-partisan independent commission.
 

It is a public policy priority of the Chamber to maintain a working relationship with local, state and federal representatives including measures that reform California’s redistricting process.
 

Propositions 94, 95, 96, 97 – REFERENDUMS - Indian Gaming Compact
Ontario Chamber Position: SUPPORT

Governor Schwarzenegger negotiated new Indian gaming agreements (The Compacts) with four tribes; Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, and Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation have casino facilities on remote reservation lands in Riverside and San Diego counties. The four propositions represent each of the negotiated new Indian gaming compacts.

The four propositions seek to overturn law passed by the legislature in 2007 that expands gaming machines at the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, and Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation Casinos.

The compacts will also call for the four tribes to pay a much higher percentage of their gaming revenues to the state in return for having additional slot machines. The revenue paid by the tribes – an estimated $9 billion over the next two decades – may be used to pay down the deficit and can be used as new funding for schools, public safety and other services.

The Chamber believes by supporting Propositions 94 through 97, it is a start to the State’s budget crisis without raising taxes. It is a public policy of the Chamber to support legislation and issues that do not raise taxes and can be a benefit to the Ontario area.