ADVOCATING FOR THE INDUSTRY


This fall California voters will have an opportunity to vote on seven ballot measures – the fewest to appear on a statewide general election ballot since 2014. Thankfully, there are no ballot measures that directly affect the construction industry.


California Voters Get a Break at the Ballot Box


BY FELIPE FUENTES


leave no doubt that abortion is legal in California. Tis amendment would affirm that the right to privacy in California does guarantee the right to an abortion – unlike in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.


Sports Betting Two competing ballot initiatives would also amend California’s constitution to make sports betting legal in California. Sponsored by two different proponents, the initiatives must pass with more than 50% of the vote and only the one that gets the most votes will become law should both pass. Proposition 26 would let people bet


on sports at privately-operated horse-rac- ing tracks on Native American land in four counties. A portion of the tax col- lected would help pay for enforcement of gambling laws and programs to help people who are addicted. Tis measure is supported by some Native American tribes.


T


his fall, California voters will have an opportunity to vote on seven ballot measures – the fewest to


appear on a statewide general election ballot since 2014.


Of these ballot measures, one was placed on the ballot by the state legis- lature. And because there weren’t any propositions placed on the primary ballot in June, California voters will decide the fewest measures in an election year since 1916. Two legislative compromises were


struck, sparing proponents and voters the burden and high cost of two very messy political campaigns. Te trial bar and some consumer groups agreed to withdraw a measure that would have raised the cap on how much patients can sue for medical malpractice in exchange for a lower increase agreed to by the


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CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTOR SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2022


California Medical Association. In ad- dition, the recycling company Recology and environmental groups decided to pull a measure to phase out the use of non-recyclable plastic in exchange for a legislative solution. Tankfully, there are no ballot mea-


sures that affect the construction industry. Nonetheless, here is rundown of the remaining issues that will appear on the November 8, 2022 ballot.


Reproductive Rights Te U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling overturn- ing Roe v. Wade outraged many people, but none more than the political class of California. Te Democratic legislative majority and Governor are supporting a constitutional amendment, known as Proposition 1, the Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment, which would


Proposition 27 would let people use


their smart phones to place bets on sports. Taxes collected for this measure would first pay for regulatory costs, while 85% of what’s left would go to funding programs to address homelessness. Te remaining 15% would go to nonparticipating Native American tribes. Tis measure is support- ed by some sports betting companies.


Arts/Music in Public Schools Proposition 28 would require lawmakers to use 1% of all state funding for music and arts education programs in all pub- lic schools. Tis ‘ballot box budgeting’ proposal would realize between $800 million to $1 billion each year according to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO). For those schools with a daily census of 500 or more students, at least 80% of


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