Ballot recap for businesses
Roads, real estate among the concerns for proprietors on November’s ballot
In less than two weeks, Californians will weigh in on 11 state ballot propositions ranging from the gas tax to water conservation and four on housing.
While all voters will be faced at the polls with these ballot measures, business owners’ interests, in particular, could best be represented in these propositions:
Proposition 1: Housing programs and veterans’ loans bond
The first proposition on the ballot would authorize $4 billion in general obligation bonds to help veterans and low-income California residents have access to home loans and lower-cost housing.
Supporters say any step toward bettering the economic growth as the state faces a critical shortage of affordable housing is worth a shot.
Those who oppose Prop 1 say passage would lead the state into long-term debt to solve an ongoing issue.
Proposition 2: Homelessness prevention housing
If passed, Prop 2 would approve the spending of bond money on housing for individuals with mental illness.
Those who support say funds would help the most vulnerable, while those that oppose the measure say it mirrors 2017’s Proposition 63, which already provides housing for the population facing mental illnesses.
Proposition 6: Future has and vehicle taxes
In 2017, state legislators passed the SB1 gas tax to help finance and improve roads and highways. Since then, the tax has added more than 12 cents to gas prices and raising vehicle registration fees by an average of $50 per vehicle, which was estimated to generate about $54 billion through 2027, according to the 2017 Road Repair and Accountability Act.
If Prop 6 is approved, part of SB1 taxes would end and return more than $5 billion a year to taxpayers. If it fails to pass, SB1 would remain.
Supporters say that Prop 6 would lower gas prices right away. Those behind the measure also argue that the state can afford to use funds from other programs to fund road repairs.
Those who oppose the measure say California has plenty of roads that are in dire need of repairs, while disagreeing that the state cannot afford repairs from other projects and programs.