The South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce (SBACC) released its positions on the May 19, 2009 Special Election ballot propositions. The ballot propositions are part of the 2009-2010 state budget agreement between the Governor and Legislature designed to help balance the state budget through various increase in length of time of taxes, shifting of former voter-approved propositions and borrowing of funds from future state lottery revenues.

Proposition 1A – “Rainy Day” Budget Stabilization Fund

SBACC Position: SUPPORT

Proposition 1A would stabilize long-term budget spending by limiting of the state’s spending based on 10-year revenue trends. It creates a Budget Stabilization Fund, also known as a “Rainy Day” fund, which will allow the State of California to save when the economy is prospering and therefore can be used when the economy is in a decline.

As of April 1, 2009 several categories of taxes increased based on the budget agreement in February. The passage of Proposition 1A only allows the length of time of the tax increases to be extended, not the actual amount of tax. The tax increases would be extended for one or two additional years depending on the particular tax. It is estimated that State tax revenues would increase by about $16 billion.

The following tax increase extensions will only go into effect if Proposition 1A passes:

- The sales tax increase of 1 % would be extended for one year through 2011 – 2012.
- The Vehicle License Fee (VLF) tax increase would be extended for two years through 2012 – 2013 from .65% to 1.15%.
- The personal income tax-related increases would be extended for two more years, through the 2012 tax year.

Proposition 1B – Education Funding. Payment Plan

SBACC Position: OPPOSE

Proposition 1B would modify how voter-approved revenue for education could be used to balance the state budget. The State would be allowed to borrow from the education fund in order to give flexibility for balancing the state budget. In return, Proposition 1B ensures that the schools would be paid back over time starting in 2011.

Payments to schools will come out of the newly created Budget Stabilization Fund as outlined in Proposition 1A. In order for the funding guarantees in Proposition 1B to take place, Proposition 1A would also need to be passed.

Proposition 1C – Lottery Modernization Act

SBACC Position: NEUTRAL

Proposition 1C will allow the State to immediately borrow $5 billion from future protected State Lottery revenue in order to balance the current State Budget deficit. The changes could increase lottery ticket sales and allow the state to borrow $5 billion from future lottery profits.

Proposition 1C involves selling an asset (future lottery profits) to investors through a bond transaction by converting a stream of future annual payments into a “lump sum.” This type of borrowing – referred to as securitization – is somewhat different from most other types of state borrowing in that it involves no legal commitment to use General Fund tax revenues to pay investors.

Proposition 1D – Children’s Services Funding

SBACC Position: SUPPORT

Proposition 1D temporarily redirects a portion of excess funds from a prior voter-approved tobacco tax to the general fund in providing for more flexibility of shifting funds to balance the state budget.
This would achieve state savings of up to $608 million in 2009 and $268 million annually from 2010 – 2014.

Proposition 1E – Mental Health Funding Budget

SBACC Position: SUPPORT

Proposition 1E temporarily redirects funds from the Mental Health Services Act to fund children’s health programs that are at risk of elimination due to the budget crisis, including health care screening, diagnosis and treatment.

Similar to Proposition 1D in that it allows once again more general flexibility of shifting funds from voter-approved funding measures in order to help balance the budget. Proposition 1D and Proposition 1E are consider short term fixes.

Proposition 1F – Elected Officials’ Salaries

SBACC Position: SUPPORT

Proposition 1F amends the State Constitution to prevent the California Citizens Compensation Commission from increasing the annual salaries of State elected officials when the state General Fund is expected to end the year with a deficit.

The South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce (SBACC) urged support from the Congress of the continued use of the Boeing C-17 in military airlift operations. The C-17 is a vastly reliable aircraft that is the workhorse of the U.S. Air Force fleet and its production continues to be a vital part of the economy in the South Bay area and in 41 states across the U.S.

"The C-17 is at the forefront of U.S. military and humanitarian missions in all parts of the world and is the primary aircraft providing aero-medical evacuations of wounded soldiers from the battlefield to hospitals in Europe and the U.S.," stated Marcella Low, SBACC Chair. "The C-17 ranks among the world’s most reliable and cost efficient airlift aircraft," continued Low.

The C-17 program is an important economic driver with over 9,000 employees in Southern California and over 30,000 in 42 states nationally. The Boeing Company and its supplier partners on the program have an economic impact of $2.9 billion in California and of $7.9 billion nationally.

However, the C-17 program is in jeopardy of being terminated. SBACC is working to ensure the continued production of these airplanes through the following measures:

1. Procure 15 additional C-17s in FY09 Supplemental Defense Appropriation Bill
2. Urge Department of Defense to address growing airlift requirements by funding C-17s in FY10 budget and out years.

The South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce (SBACC) urged Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer today to support the inclusion of $14.2 million within the reauthorization of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) for the South Bay Regional Intermodal Transit Centers Project.

The much needed Regional Transit Centers located in the cities of Redondo Beach and Torrance will make public transportation more efficient and convenient thereby encouraging more people to make use of the transportation options available in the region. The benefits to the South Bay region are many including increasing mobility options, easing traffic congestion, enhancing job access, reducing gasoline consumption, and improving overall air quality.

The South Bay Regional Intermodal Transit Centers Project will serve as a positive impact on the economic vitality of the cities throughout the South Bay.

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“The South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce urges the Legislature to work with the Governor on his proposed Employment Stimulus Package. We need to get California’s slumping economy moving again. To do so, it starts with the Governor, the Legislature and us working together to find solutions to strengthening our state’s economy.”

The Sunrise Powerlink will have enough capacity to power more than 650,000 homes and businesses in San Diego County and southern Orange County (San Diego Gas & Electric’s service territory). As a vital new link to the state’s power grid, the Sunrise Powerlink will help ensure Southern California homes and businesses have the energy they need when they need it most.

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The Governor’s budget proposal in January 2008 included a 10 percent reduction to nearly all General Fund departments and programs, boards, commissions and elected offices, except in cases where such a reduction is unconstitutional. A clearer impact on state revenue will release in the Governor’s May Revised Budget to be released May 15, 2008. The Governor proposed a Revenue Stabilization Fund (RSF), which is a savings account for excess revenues taken in by the state each year requiring that the state deposit excess revenues into the RSF. Click here for more.

 
The South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce (SBACC) voted unanimously to support the Colombia Free Trade Agreement. On behalf of our South Bay employers and South Bay employees that make up the many of the SBACC members, SBACC Chair Helen Duncan, in separate letters to Congresswoman Harman and Congresswoman Richardson, urged both to support Congressional approval of the pending trade agreement with Colombia.  Click here for more!

With the 2008 election year in full swing, the SBACC is joining chambers of commerce and employers statewide in partnering with California Secretary of State Debra Bowen in the MyVote Democracy At Work Project.  Our mission: to provide all Californians with the tools they need to participate in the electoral process, starting with the June 3 Statewide Primary Election.  Click here for more!

Take Action! Support Workplace Flexibility Proposal

AB 2127, the Small Business Family Scheduling Option of 2008, would allow employees and employers flexibility in work schedules to help accommodate employees' diverse family obligations, personal pursuits, commuting issues and environmental concerns by allowing a small business to agree to provide scheduling options requested by an employee. Click here to take action!

South Bay Businesses Support Redistricting Reform Proposal

The South Bay Association of Chamber of Commerce are joining forces with Common Cause, an organization spearheading a campaign to reform the redistricting method used in California for electing State Legislators. Click here for more.

South Bay Businesses Support BNSF Project, Improves Goods Movement

As one of the busiest ports in the world, the South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce support moving forward with an environmental impact report (EIR) that will allow BNSF Railway to construct the Southern California International Gateway (SCIG) near the Long Beach Port. The SCIG will establish a near-dock facility that will allow fewer trucks on the 710 Freeway while at the same time improving air quality in the region. Once the EIR is finished it will be available for public comment and is one of the final hurdles to start the project. Click here for more.

The SBACC provides coordination to advance the common business interests of local Chambers of Commerce within the South Bay area. Each year, the SBACC develops its strategic initiatives and a policy platform so that it can serve as the public policy advocacy body on issues that impact the business and economic climate of the South Bay. Click here for more.

South Bay Chambers of Commerce Release February Ballot Proposition Positions

The South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce announced its positions on the February 5, 2008 statewide ballot propositions. The SBACC’s positions are the beginning to what could be a very busy legislative year with over twenty propositions possibly planned before voters between February and November of 2008. Click here for more.

December 1, 2007

South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce Hold Elected Officials Accountable to Business Community

The 2007 Vote Record: The 41 Potential Laws Tracked by the South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce and How Senator Jenny Oropeza, Senator Alan Lowenthal, Assembly Member Ted Lieu, Assembly Member Betty Karnette and Assembly Member Curren D. Price, Jr. Voted

The South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce voted in 2007 to track 41 potential laws (bills) that might impact over 53,000 businesses. Each month, the members reviewed and discussed the status of all 41 bills.

The area legislators received letters communicating the Chamber’s positions on all 41 bills. The South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce lobbied during the 2007 legislative session for our legislators to OPPOSE 31 bills and SUPPORT 10 bills.

“The South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce continues its effort to effectively represent the interests of business with government,” stated Scott Gobble, Chair of SBACC. “This vote record highlights the work of our Chamber to protect the economic vitality of our region and to hold our local legislators accountable to our business community,” Gobble, continued. Click here for more.

Summary of Votes