Critical initiatives you’ll find on November 2 ballot

A number of initiatives that will impact your business and/or your pocketbook qualified for the November 2 ballot. We suggest you get the facts about them here so you won't be persuaded by misleading descriptions on the November 2 ballot.
 
Statute 1454: Suspends Air Pollution Control Laws Requiring Major Polluters to Report and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions Until Unemployment Drops Below Specified Level for Full Year
Known as AB 32, the statute suspends State laws requiring reduced greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, until California's unemployment rate drops to 5.5 percent or less for four consecutive quarters. Requires State to abandon implementation of comprehensive greenhouse-gas-reduction program that includes increased renewable energy and cleaner fuel requirements, and mandatory emission reporting and fee requirements for major polluters such as power plants and oil refineries, until suspension is lifted.
 
Fiscal impact on state and local government: Potential positive, short-term impacts on state and local government revenues from the suspension of regulatory activity, with uncertain longer-run impacts. Potential foregone state revenues from the auctioning of emission allowances by state government, by suspending the future implementation of cap-and-trade regulations.
Proponent: Thomas W. Hiltachk, (916) 442-7757
 
Constitutional Amendment 1308: Redistricting of Congressional Districts
Would remove elected representatives from the process of establishing congressional districts and transfers that authority to the recently authorized 14-member redistricting commission. Redistricting commission is comprised of five Democrats, five Republicans, and four voters registered with neither party. Requires that any newly proposed district lines be approved by nine commissioners including three Democrats, three Republicans, and three from neither party. No significant change in state redistricting costs expected.
Proponent: Charles T. Munger Jr., votersfirstactforcongress@gmail.com
 
Constitutional Amendment 1408: Changes legislative vote requirement to pass a budget from 2/3 to a simple majority
Would change the legislative vote requirement necessary to pass the state budget from two-thirds to a simple majority. Provides that if the Legislature fails to pass a budget bill by June 15, all members of the Legislature will permanently forfeit any reimbursement for salary and expenses for every day until the day the Legislature passes a budget bill. Fiscal impact would depend on the composition and actions of future Legislatures; although, minor reduction expected in state costs related to compensation of legislators in years when the budget bill is passed after June 15.
Proponents: James C. Harrison and Thomas A. Willis, (510) 346-6200
 
Statute 1412: Repeals recent legislation that would allow businesses to carry back losses, share tax credits, and use a sales-based income calculation to lower taxable income
Would repeal recent legislation that would allow businesses to shift operating losses to prior tax years and that would extend the period permitted to shift operating losses to future tax years. Repeals recent legislation that would allow corporations to share tax credits with affiliated corporations. Repeals recent legislation that would allow multistate businesses to use a sales-based income calculation, rather than a combination property-, payroll- and sales-based income calculation. Expected annual state revenue increase from business taxes of about $1.7 billion when fully phased in, beginning in 2011-12.
Proponents: Robin Johansen and Karen Getman,(510) 346-6200

Constitutional Amendment 1414: Prohibits the state from taking funds used for transportation or local government projects and services
Prohibits the State from shifting, taking, borrowing, or restricting the use of tax revenues dedicated by law to fund local government services, community redevelopment projects, or transportation projects and services. Prohibits the State from delaying the distribution of tax revenues for these purposes even when the Governor deems it necessary due to a severe state fiscal hardship. Fiscal impact on state and local government: Significant constraints on state authority over city, county, special district, and redevelopment agency funds. Higher and more stable local resources, potentially affecting billions of dollars in some years. Commensurate reductions in state resources, resulting in major decreases in state spending and/or increases in state revenues.
Proponents: Joshua Shaw, Christopher K. McKenzie, and James N. Earp
 
Statute 1421: Establishes $18 annual vehicle license surcharge
Establishes an $18 annual state vehicle license surcharge and grants free admission to all state parks to surcharged vehicles. Requires deposit of surcharge revenue in a new trust fund to be used solely to operate, maintain and repair the state park system, and to protect wildlife and natural resources. Exempts commercial vehicles, trailers and trailer coaches from the surcharge. Requires annual independent audit and review by citizen's oversight committee. Fiscal impact on state and local government: Increased state revenues of about $500 million annually to be used mainly to fund state parks and wildlife conservation programs. Potential state savings of up to approximately $200 million annually to the extent that the VLF surcharge revenues were used to reduce support from the General Fund and other special funds for parks and wildlife conservation programs. Reduction of about $50 million annually in state and local revenues from state park day-use fees. These revenue losses could potentially be offset by increases in other types of state park user fees and revenues.
Proponent: Joseph L. Caves, (916) 558-1516
 
Constitutional Amendment 1441: Increases Legislative Vote Requirement to 2/3 for State Levies and Charges
Increases legislative vote requirement to two-thirds for state levies and charges, with limited exceptions, and for certain taxes currently subject to majority vote. Changes Constitution to require voters to approve, either by two-thirds or majority, local levies and charges with limited exceptions. Fiscal impact on state and local government: Major decrease in state and local revenues and spending, depending upon future actions of the Legislature, local governing bodies, and local voters.
Proponent: Allan Zaremberg, (916) 446-6752
 
Constitutional Amendment and Statute 1451: Eliminates State Commission on Redistricting. Consolidates Authority for Redistricting with Elected Representatives
Eliminates 14-member redistricting commission selected from applicant pool picked by government auditors. Consolidates authority for establishing state Assembly, Senate, and Board of Equalization district boundaries with elected state representatives responsible for drawing congressional districts. Reduces budget, and imposes limit on amount Legislature may spend, for redistricting. Provides that voters will have the authority to reject district boundary maps approved by the Legislature. Requires populations of all districts for the same office to be exactly the same. Fiscal impact on state and local government: Likely decrease in state redistricting costs totaling several million dollars every 10 years.
Proponent: Daniel Lowenstein, (310) 576-1233

For more information, visit www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-measures/qualified-ballot-measures.htm