About the Chamber
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Our Mission Statement
The Mission of the Redwood City-San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce is to promote economic prosperity for our community through business representation and advocacy with emphasis on information, communication and education.
2010 Qualified Ballot Measures for June Primary
The following ballot measures have qualified for the June Primary Election and have been assigned numbers by the Secretary of State. A future report will include a full analysis of each qualified ballot measure.
Proposition 13: Property tax: New Construction Exclusion: Seismic Retrofitting
The California Constitution generally limits ad valorem taxes on real property to 1% of the full cash value of that property. For purposes of this limitation, "full cash value" is defined as the assessor's valuation of real property as shown on the 1975-76 tax bill under "full cash value" or, thereafter, the appraised value of that real property when purchased, newly constructed, or a change of ownership has occurred. This measure would instead exclude from the definition of "newly constructed" the portion of an existing structure that consists of the construction or reconstruction of seismic retrofitting components. This measure would delete the existing exclusion for structures constructed of unreinforced masonry bearing wall construction, and the existing grant of authority to the Legislature to exclude certain seismic retrofitting improvements or improvements utilizing earthquake hazard mitigation technologies.
Proposition 14: Elections: open primaries
This proposed measure mirrors the development of the successful “open primary” election system that is in place in Washington State. This system allows the top two vote getters, regardless of party, to compete in the general election and has been validated by the U.S. Supreme Court. This measure would require the Legislature to provide for partisan elections for presidential candidates, political party committees, and party central steering committees. This measure would designate the Superintendent of Public Instruction as a nonpartisan office. If the measure is approved by the voters, it would become operative on January 1, 2011.
Proposition 15: Political Reform Act of 1974: California Fair Elections Act of 2008.
This initiative was placed on the ballot by legislation (AB 583/Hancock). AB 583 was signed by the Governor and became effective on January 1, 2009. It requires the California Secretary of State to place a ballot measure on the June 8, 2010 statewide primary election ballot which, if passed, would institute a pilot program of publicly-financed elections for the office of California Secretary of State. The publically-financed election would be funded by taxing lobbyists, lobbying firms and lobbyist employers. The measure is currently the subject of litigation. A similar measure in Vermont was ruled to violate the U.S. Constitution. An Arizona court has also struck down lobbyist “fees” used to fund a public campaign financing program.
Proposition 16: New Two-Thirds Vote Requirement for Local Public Electricity Providers.
Initiative Constitutional Amendment. Proposition 16 would require local governments to obtain the approval of two-thirds of the voters before providing electricity to new customers or expanding such service to new territories if any public funds or bonds are involved. The measure would require the same two-thirds vote to provide electricity through a community choice program if any public funds or bonds are involved.
Proposition 17: Allows Auto Insurance Companies to Base Their Prices in Part on a Driver’s History of Insurance Coverage
Initiative Statute. This measure amends Proposition 103, passed by the voters in 1988, to authorize the use of an additional discount on premiums for automobile insurance policies. In particular, the act would allow an insurer to offer a “continuous coverage” discount to new customers who have maintained their coverage while they previously were customers of another insurer. Continuous coverage is defined to also include applicants who experienced up to a 90-day lapse in coverage in the past five years for any reason other than nonpayment of their insurance premiums. The continuous coverage discount would be based on the length of time the applicant or insured has been continuously covered. Children residing with a parent may qualify for the discount based on their parent’s eligibility.
Proposition 13: Property tax: New Construction Exclusion: Seismic Retrofitting
The California Constitution generally limits ad valorem taxes on real property to 1% of the full cash value of that property. For purposes of this limitation, "full cash value" is defined as the assessor's valuation of real property as shown on the 1975-76 tax bill under "full cash value" or, thereafter, the appraised value of that real property when purchased, newly constructed, or a change of ownership has occurred. This measure would instead exclude from the definition of "newly constructed" the portion of an existing structure that consists of the construction or reconstruction of seismic retrofitting components. This measure would delete the existing exclusion for structures constructed of unreinforced masonry bearing wall construction, and the existing grant of authority to the Legislature to exclude certain seismic retrofitting improvements or improvements utilizing earthquake hazard mitigation technologies.
Proposition 14: Elections: open primaries
This proposed measure mirrors the development of the successful “open primary” election system that is in place in Washington State. This system allows the top two vote getters, regardless of party, to compete in the general election and has been validated by the U.S. Supreme Court. This measure would require the Legislature to provide for partisan elections for presidential candidates, political party committees, and party central steering committees. This measure would designate the Superintendent of Public Instruction as a nonpartisan office. If the measure is approved by the voters, it would become operative on January 1, 2011.
Proposition 15: Political Reform Act of 1974: California Fair Elections Act of 2008.
This initiative was placed on the ballot by legislation (AB 583/Hancock). AB 583 was signed by the Governor and became effective on January 1, 2009. It requires the California Secretary of State to place a ballot measure on the June 8, 2010 statewide primary election ballot which, if passed, would institute a pilot program of publicly-financed elections for the office of California Secretary of State. The publically-financed election would be funded by taxing lobbyists, lobbying firms and lobbyist employers. The measure is currently the subject of litigation. A similar measure in Vermont was ruled to violate the U.S. Constitution. An Arizona court has also struck down lobbyist “fees” used to fund a public campaign financing program.
Proposition 16: New Two-Thirds Vote Requirement for Local Public Electricity Providers.
Initiative Constitutional Amendment. Proposition 16 would require local governments to obtain the approval of two-thirds of the voters before providing electricity to new customers or expanding such service to new territories if any public funds or bonds are involved. The measure would require the same two-thirds vote to provide electricity through a community choice program if any public funds or bonds are involved.
Proposition 17: Allows Auto Insurance Companies to Base Their Prices in Part on a Driver’s History of Insurance Coverage
Initiative Statute. This measure amends Proposition 103, passed by the voters in 1988, to authorize the use of an additional discount on premiums for automobile insurance policies. In particular, the act would allow an insurer to offer a “continuous coverage” discount to new customers who have maintained their coverage while they previously were customers of another insurer. Continuous coverage is defined to also include applicants who experienced up to a 90-day lapse in coverage in the past five years for any reason other than nonpayment of their insurance premiums. The continuous coverage discount would be based on the length of time the applicant or insured has been continuously covered. Children residing with a parent may qualify for the discount based on their parent’s eligibility.
