Political Action

 

Endorsements*

June, 2012

California

Proposition 28: Change to Legislators' Term Limits   

  • Currently legislators may serve up to 3 2-year terms in the Assembly and 2 4-year terms in the Senate for a maximum of 14 years in office.  This measure reduces the total amount of time a person may serve from 14 years to 12 years which can be served either in the Assembly, the Senate, or a combination of both. This will help to stabilize the Legislature where 1/3 of the Assembly changes every two years and allow legislators to focus more on policy than running for their next seat. 
  • Sponsored by: The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor and the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce.
  • VOTE YES

San Jose City Council

District 2: Re-elect City Councilman Ash Kalra

District 4: Re-elect City Councilman Kansen Chu

District 8: Elect Steve Kline

 

November, 2012

(No proposition number yet)

Corporate Power Grab

  • This measure goes straight at unions' ability to give their members a voice in politics. It prohibits ANY contributions collected via payroll deduction to candidates.  This measure would apply to ALL public and private sector unions.  While the initiative blocks corporations from using payroll deduction for political spending, corporations generally do not engage in payroll deduction, so the provision would not apply to most businesses.  Corporations would still be permitted to make UNLIMITED independent expenditures in support or opposition to candidates.   Similar measures appeared on the 1998 and 2005 ballots and were defeated. 
  • Support: Former U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, veteran anti-labor financiers Charles Munger and Tim Draper  Opposed: All of labor. 
  • VOTE NO!

(No proposition number yet)

Changes Law to Allow Auto Insurance Companies to Set Prices Based on a Driver's History of Insurance Coverage

  • Changes current law to permit insurance companies to set prices based on whether the driver previously carried auto insurance.
  • This is an insurance industry backed measure.  It allows insurance companies to charge higher rates to students, military personnel, the unemployed and underemployed by linking rates to having continuous insurance.  Since none of these groups necessarily are able to continuously hold insurance, they get stuck with higher bills.  Currently, insurance rates are based on location and driving record.   This is similar to Proposition 17, which was on the June 8, 2010 ballot. Proposition 17 was narrowly defeated. Unlike Proposition 17, this measure provides a very narrow exemption for soldiers deployed for 3 month and those who have been unemployed for 18 months from paying more. 
  • Support: George Joseph, who chairs insurance company Mercury General, has contributed $8.1 million to the campaign.   
  • Oppose: Brian Stedge of Consumer Watchdog says, "Mercury Insurance is back with another costly ballot initiative which attempts to trick voters into giving insurance companies new power to increase premiums and punish consumers. The last thing Californians' need is another self-serving ballot initiative by a corporation hell bent on increasing its profit margins on the backs of already struggling families."  Richard Holober, Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of California, says, "When was the last time a billionaire insurance magnate spent a fortune to save you money? Never.
  • VOTE NO

(No proposition number yet)

Anti-death penalty ballot measure / Funding for government services

  • Replaces use of the death penalty with a sentence of life without parole.  The non-partisan Office of the Legislative Analyst estimates this could save state and local government tens of millions of dollars, freeing up funding for vital public services. This request came to the PAC from the Alameda County Public Defenders Office Chapter.  Background info: Overview article.  Impartial analysis by the Legislative Analyst. Text of ballot measure.
  • VOTE YES

Re-elect Senator Mark Leno

Re-elect Assemblyman Tom Ammiano

San Francisco

 

Board of Supervisors

Re-elect Supervisors

  • Eric Mar, District 1
  • David Campos, District 9
  • John Avalos, District 11

*As of 3/27/12.  Additional endorsements will be posted as they are adopted.