January 14, 2007

February 2008 Ballot Propositions
 

The Fresno Chamber Government Affairs Council recommends the following positions on the February 5, 2008 statewide ballot propositions:

No on Proposition 92
Funding Community Colleges
 

Summary

 

Proposition 92 would lock in a specific funding requirement for the Community College Districts in the state of California by replacing the single education funding requirement, enforced by Proposition 98, with two requirements: funding for K-12 education and funding for community colleges.

 

Proposition 92 would not negatively impact the funding of K-12. The measure would not change the existing requirements that roughly 40 percent of General Fund revenues be spent on K-14 education. This measure would reduce student fees to $15 per unit beginning in fall 2008.

Why Vote NO?
 

- Proposition 92 would amend California’s constitution to lock in a huge new state funding mandate for community colleges. This could lead to politicians to raise income or sales tax or cut funding to other government funded entities.
 

- It is estimated the increased spending created by Proposition 92 will reach nearly a billion dollars in the first three years.
 

- The governing board for Proposition 92 does not provide direct oversight to determine how Proposition 92 funds will be spent.

Please click here for full analysis of proposition 92

No on Proposition 93
Term Limits
 

Summary
 

Under Proposition 93 an individual could serve a total of 12 years in the Legislature. Unlike the current system, these years could be served without regard to whether they were in the Assembly or Senate. In other words, an individual could serve six two-year terms in the Assembly, three four-year terms in the Senate, or some combination of terms in both houses.

 

Under this measure, existing Members of the Legislature could serve up to a total of 12 years in their current legislative house (regardless of how many years were already served in the other house). This could result in some current Members serving longer than 14 years in the Legislature.
 

Why Vote NO?
 

- Term limits reform without redistricting reform is not the comprehensive political reform California needs.
 

- This measure has the ability to keep the current leadership in office for another 14 years. And, if redistricting does not pass, that will likely be the case.
 

- By passing this measure, the voters would only give the leadership exactly what they want without demanding accountability at any level.
 

Please click here for full analysis of Proposition 93

Yes on Proposition 94-97

Indian Gaming Agreements
 

Summary

The compact amendment allows the specific tribes to operate up to 7,500 Nevada-style slot machines at its casinos, up from 2,000 under the 1999 compact. In turn, annual payment to the General Fund would total at least $42.5 million under the compact amendment. In addition to this minimum payment, the tribe would pay to the General Fund an annual amount equal to 15 percent of the net revenues of the next 3,000 slot machines it adds to its casinos after the compact amendment takes effect.
 

The agreements also must provide for local governments to receive “reasonable compensation” for increased public service costs due to the casino, such as costs of public safety and gambling addiction programs. Under these agreements significant environmental impacts outside of the reservation must be reduced or avoided where feasible.

Why Vote YES?
 

- For the first time the tribe would make payments to the General Fund the state’s main operating account. The estimated revenues will add up to 25% in additional funding in to the state General Fund.
 

- The new compact agreements require the tribes to coordinate with local police and fire agencies to compensate local governments for any local services that are needed. The new compact agreements preserve the right of Indian casino employees to be represented by unions through secret ballot.

Please click here for full analysis of Propositions 94-97

 

Contact Amy Huerta, the Chamber's Government Affairs Manager for more information at (559) 495-4818 or ahuerta@fresnochamber.com