California Online Voter Guide

11th Edition, November 2004 General Election

Proposition 65: Local Government Funds and Revenues. State Mandates. Initiative Constitutional Amendment. Failed

Official Summary

Requires voter approval for any legislation that provides for any reduction, based on January 1, 2003 levels, of local governments' vehicle license fee revenues, sales tax powers and revenues, and proportionate share of local property tax revenues. Permits local government to suspend performance of state mandate if State fails to reimburse local government within 180 days of final determination of state-mandated obligation; except mandates requiring local government to provide/modify: any protection, benefit or employment status to employee/retiree, or any procedural/substantive employment right for employee or employee organization.

Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: This initiative would have the following fiscal effects, the magnitude of which would depend on future actions by the Legislature and state voters: Higher and more stable local government revenues than otherwise would have been the case, potentially several billion dollars annually. Significant changes to state finance, potentially including higher state taxes or lower spending on state programs than otherwise would have been the case. The state fiscal effect would be commensurate with the measure's impact on local governments. Full Text of Proposition (PDF)

Campaign Web Sites and Contact Information

Yes on Proposition 65
Californians to Protect Local Taxpayers and Public Safety
1121 L Street, Suite 803, Sacramento, CA 95814
(800) 827-9086 or info@ProtectLocalServices.com
No on Proposition 65
Contact information unavailable at this time

Who Signed the Ballot Arguments

Yes on Proposition 65:

Argument unavailable at this time

No on Proposition 65:

Chris McKenzie, Executive Director, League of California Cities
Catherine Smith, Executive Director, California Special Districts Association
Steven Szalay, Executive Director, California State Association of Counties

Follow the Money

As of October 16th, 2004, there has been no money raised to support or oppose Proposition 65.

For More Information, CVF Recommends...

The California Secretary of State publishes the Official Voter Information Guide with both a Quick Summary and Detailed Information about Proposition 65.

Other good nonpartisan resources include the League of Women Voters' Pro/Con Analysis and In-Depth Analysis of Proposition 65, the California Journal, the McGeorge School of Law California Initiative Review and the Easy Voter Guide.

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