Last Checked 9/11/2023.
See Results of November 2022 Propositions at bottom of this page.
March 2024 (Primary Election) Measures
SCA 2 (Allen) PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECTS [NO - HB] - California Constitution prohibits development, construction, or acquisition of a low-rent housing project by any state public body until majority of qualified electors of city, town, or county (in which the development, construction, or acquisition of the low-rent housing project is proposed) approve. This measure repeals [local control].
ACA 5 (Low) MARRIAGE EQUALITY [NO - HB] - Removes Traditional Marriage (Voted in 2008 as Proposition 8) from State Constitution establishing marriage as a union between one man and one woman but later declared unconstitutional by federal judges. [This Assembly bill has no legal effect, but it gives those promoting same-sex marriage yet another platform to pressure traditional Christians, conservatives, and Republicans to abandon traditional/biblical marriage. They are succeeding unless the CAGOP Convention in September votes against 'softening' the State party platform to appeal to NPP and Independents. The logic is unless we surrender this social-values plank, we cannot get a Republican into State office. It is a Faustian bargain. - Harry Briley, AD16]
November 2024 (General Election) Initiatives
Going Back to Square 1 - Legislature changed rules on 9/8/2023
1939. (22-0005) - REFERENDUM on 2022 LAW AUTHORIZING CREATION OF COUNCIL TO SET MINIMUM WAGE AND WORKING STANDARDS FOR FAST-FOOD WORKERS. [YES means?? - NO means??] - The challenged law:
- Authorizes creation of Fast Food Council (upon submission of 10,000 fast-food worker signatures) to set working standards and minimum wage (up to $22/hour in 2023, with capped annual increases) at fast-food restaurants having 100+ nationwide locations
- Prohibits retaliation against fast-food workers for making certain workplace complaints.
- Per AB421, an urgency statute signed on September 8, 2023, the qualification of #1939 is void. On June 27, 2024, the Secretary of State will issue a new qualification for the November ballot, unless withdrawn by the proponents per AB421.
1940. (22-0006) - REFERENDUM on 2022 LAW PROHIBITING NEW OIL AND GAS WELLS NEAR HOMES, SCHOOLS, AND HOSPITALS [YES means?? - NO means??] - The challenged law:
- Prohibits most new or modified oil and gas wells within 3,200 feet of housing, schools, daycares, parks, healthcare facilities, community resource centers, detention facilities, and businesses open to the public.
- Requires existing wells in these areas meet health, safety, and environmental requirements by January 1, 2025.
- Per AB421, an urgency statute signed on September 8, 2023, the qualification of #1940 is void. On June 27, 2024, the Secretary of State will issue a new qualification for the November ballot, unless withdrawn by the proponents per AB421.
25% Signatures Obtained
[None pending]
In Signature Verification Phase
[None pending]
[None pending]
Qualified for November 2024 Ballot
Even so, these initiatives will not be formally certified (announced) until June 27, 2024
1916. (21-0022A1) - FUNDS PANDEMIC DETECTION AND PREVENTION BY INCREASING TAX ON PERSONAL INCOME OVER $5 MILLION. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT [NO - CAGOP, HB] - Increases tax on personal income over $5 million by 0.75% for 10 years, and allocates as follows:
- 50% to the California Institute for Pandemic Prevention (established by this measure), to award grants for research and development of technologies to detect and prevent future pandemics;
- 25% for public health programs for pandemic preparedness
- 25% for improvements to school facilities to limit disease transmission.
- Legislative Analyst: Increased tax range from $500 million to $1.5 billion annually for ten-year period. Revenues entirely support activities related to infectious disease control and pandemic prevention.
1921. (21-0027A1) - ELIMINATES EMPLOYEES’ ABILITY TO SUE FOR MONETARY PENALTIES FOR STATE LABOR-LAW VIOLATIONS. - Repeals 2004 law allowing employees to sue on behalf of themselves and other employees against employers to recover monetary penalties for certain state labor-law violations.
- Labor Commissioner retains authority to enforce labor laws and impose penalties.
- Eliminates Labor Commissioner’s authority to contract with private organizations or attorneys to assist with enforcement.
- Requires Legislature to provide funding of unspecified amount for Labor Commissioner enforcement.
- Requires Labor Commissioner to provide pre-enforcement advice; allows employers to correct identified labor-law violations without penalties. Authorizes increased penalties for willful violations.
- Legislative Analyst: Likely increase in costs to enforce labor laws exceeding $100 million per year. Reduction in state penalty revenue used for enforcement by tens of millions annually.
1935. (21-0042A1) - LIMITS ABILITY TO RAISE REVENUES FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICES. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT [YES - HB] - For new or increased state taxes currently enacted by two-thirds vote of Legislature, also requires election and [2/3] majority voter approval.
- Limits voter-proposed local special taxes by raising vote requirement to two-thirds.
- Eliminates ability to advise how to spend revenues on same ballot as the proposed tax.
- Expands definition of “taxes” to include certain regulatory fees, broadening application of tax approval requirements. Requires Legislature or local governing body set certain other fees.
- Legislative Analyst: Lower revenues, potentially substantially lower, depending on future actions of the Legislature, local governing bodies, voters, and courts.
1936. (21-0043A1) - RAISES MINIMUM WAGE. [NO - CAGOP] - Existing law requires annual increases to California’s minimum wage until it has reached $15.00 per hour for all businesses on January 1, 2023. This measure extends these annual increases ($1.00 per year) until minimum wage—currently, $15.00 per hour for businesses with 26 or more employees, and $14.00 per hour for smaller businesses—reaches $18.00 per hour. Thereafter, as existing law requires, the minimum wage will annually adjust for inflation. In periods of decreased economic activity, or General Fund deficit, the Governor may suspend annual increase up to two times, thereby extending timeline for reaching $18.00 per hour.
- Legislative Analyst: Unclear change in revenues, likely between a loss of a couple billion and a gain of a few hundred million. Increase in costs likely between half a billion and a few billion.
1942. (22-0008) EXPANDS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS’ AUTHORITY TO ENACT RENT CONTROL ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. - Repeals 1995 law that generally prevents cities and counties from limiting the initial rental rate that landlords may charge to new tenants in all types of housing, and from limiting rent increases for existing tenants in (1) residential properties that were first occupied after February 1, 1995; (2) single-family homes; and (3) condominiums.
- This repeals that state law and re-enables cities and counties to establish their own rent control policies.
- Legislative Analyst: Potential reduction in revenues in the high tens of millions of dollars per year over time. Depending on actions by local communities, tax revenue losses could be less or more. [[How does rent control reduce Tax Revenue? - HB]]
Seniors: If you are over 65, file with your local school district to waive locally passed property tax for schools (state-wide school taxes cannot be waved). See your property tax bill to see if your school district offers a local exclusion to seniors.
Local School Bonds on Ballot do not fall under the Prop 13 taxing authority 67% to pass. Instead, they only need 55% to pass!
Results of November 2022 Propositions
Overwhelming decisions with no progressive coast versus rural split
Statewide: 1: YES // 26: NO // 27: NO // 28: YES // 29: NO // 30: NO // 31: YES
Recommended: 1: NO // 26: NO // 27: NO // 28: ---- // 29: NO // 30: NO // 31: NO
Prop Title as of 11/17 5pm Yes% No%
1 Constitution: Reproductive Freedom 67%
26 Sports Wagering on Tribal Lands 68%
27 Online Wagering Outside Tribal Lands 83%
28 School Arts and Music Funding 64%
29 Regulates Kidney Dialysis Clinics 69%
30 Tax to Fund ZEV/Wildfire Programs 58%
31 Prohibit some Tobacco Products 63%
Comments:
Prop 1 Californian Constitution now enforces no limits nor questions asked whatsoever on any abortion
Props 26/27 The gambling steep defeats might hopefully mean similar initiatives will be pulled from 2024.
Prop 29 Third election this Proposition has been soundly defeated. Will they try again in 2024?
Prop 31 Passage probably a reaction to anything Big Tobacco
Source Material: Initiative and Referendum Qualification Status :: California Secretary of State
ACGOP = Alameda County Republican Central Committee
CAGOP = California Republican Party (Initiatives Committee)
HB = Harry Briley, Source of this commentary, Member of ACGOP (AD16), Legislative Watch Team
