The Legislative and Government Affairs Committee of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce met in january to evaluate and consider positions related to propositions, bond measures and other initiatives on the March 3, 2020, ballot.

Here are the positions taken by the committee related to measures on Los Angeles County voters.

Proposition 13 – School Bonds (Committee recommends support)

Proposition 13 would authorize $15 billion for school and college facilities in California, including $9 billion for preschool and K-12 schools, $4 billion for universities, and $2 billion for community colleges. The ballot measure was designed to distribute bond revenue as follows:

  • Amount                Dedication
  • $9.0 billion          Preschool and K-12
  • $2.8 billion          new construction of school facilities$5.2 billion modernization of school facilities
  • $500 million       facilities for career technical education programs
  • $500 million       providing school facilities to charter schools
  • $4.0 billion          Universities
  • $2.0 billion          capital outlay financing needs of the California State University
  • $2.0 billion          capital outlay financing needs of the University of California and Hastings College of the Law
  • $2.0 billion          Community colleges
  • $2.0 billion          capital outlay financing needs of community colleges

    • Proposition 13 would require the state Department of General Services to consider several factors when determining which modernization and construction applications to prioritize. The factors would be considered in the following order: (a) projects to address earthquake risks; (b) districts with financial hardships, as defined in law; (c) grants requested for remediation of lead in water; (d) the order of the applications that were submitted but not reviewed during the two prior quarters; (e) severe overcrowding, as defined in law; and (f) computation scores based on a district's tax base and percentage of English learners, students eligible for free or reduced-price meals, and foster youth. Within each of these factors, the department would further prioritize projects that include the use of a project labor agreement.

      The state would use the bond revenue to provide matching funds for school districts that cover between 60 and 65 percent of the costs of modernization projects and 50 and 55 percent of the costs of construction projects. Revenue for community colleges' and universities' projects would be decided as part of the annual budget act. Proposition 13 would require the CSU Board of Trustees and the UC Regents to adopt five-year affordable student housing plans for campuses that seek bond funds.[1]

      Californians last voted on a school facilities bond measure in 2016, which passed with 55 percent of the vote. The bond measure, titled Proposition 51, issued $7 billion for K-12 education facilities and $2 billion for colleges. Between 1998 and 2019, voters approved five bond measures for school facilities—Proposition 1A (1998), Proposition 47 (2002), Proposition 55 (2004), Proposition 1D (2006), and Proposition 51 (2016).

      Supporters: Gov. Gavin Newsom (D); Sen. Toni Atkins (D-39); Sen. Maria Elena Durazo (D-24); Sen. Robert Hertzberg (D-18); Sen. Anthony Portantino, Jr. (D-25); Asm. Anthony Rendon (D-63) (Funding necessary

      Opponents: Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association (Expands bonding capacity of local school districts.)

    • The committee is recommending suport because workforce development needs are critical in the state and these funds could help students from local communities access educational opportunities and allow public education institutions the chance to expand offerings and evolve curriculum to meet the needs of employers and potential employees.

Measure FD: Parcel Tax to Support LA County Fire Department (Committee recommends support)

CONSOLIDATED FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT SPECIAL PARCEL TAX in Consolidated Fire Protection District

  • The purpose of this proposed measure is to amend Title 4 of the Los Angeles County('"County") Code for the Consolidated Fire Protection District ("District").

    Approval of the measure would authorize the Board of Supervisors ("Board") to levy a special Tax of $0.09 per square foot of improvements on all taxable improved parcels in the District except as specifically exempted. Improvements include all structures under roofs and do not include non-structural improvements like parking lots.

    The Tax shall be used for maintaining, updating and replacing emergency response infrastructure, and staffing for fire protection and emergency medical services.

  • Proceeds from the Tax shall be used for the District's infrastructure for facilities, vehicles, aircraft, equipment, systems, staffing and training, and associated administrative and financing costs.
  • Revenues generated by the Tax will be expended pursuant to an expenditure plan approved by the Board prior to June 30th of each year.

  • The measure would permit the Board to repeal or amend the Tax without voter approval if it would not result in an increase or modification to the purpose of the Tax. The measure would permit the Board to adopt or amend any procedure relating to the imposition, collection, retention of tax proceeds, and appeals of the Tax if it would not result in an increase without further voter approval.HOA.1027294983

  • The Tax would be levied annually commencing with tax year 2021-22.
  • Any property otherwise exempt from ad valorem property taxes in a tax year as determined by the Assessor, shall also be exempt from the Tax in the same year.
  • application, low income senior-owned parcels maybe exempt from the Tax.
  • The Tax rate shall be adjusted annually by 2% or the California Consumer Price Index published by the State Board of Equalization for the local assessment roll, whichever is more.
  • The Board's Independent Citizens' Oversight Committee shall conduct an annual review of the Tax to ensure proceeds are expended only for the purposes authorized in the measure, report findings of its review to the Board and public, and perform any additional duties specified by the Board.

 

Fire services, especially in unincorporated areas and our foothills are crucial for the safety of residents and businesses there. While the committee was concerned about the per square foot assessment would more severely imapct commercial properties, LA County Fire Department is in severe need of upgrades and expansion of facilities to meet the growing need for fire services.

 

Measure R: Civilian Police Oversight Commission and Jail Plan Initiative (Committee was neutral, did not recommend a position)

A ballot measure concerning the Sheriff's Civilian Oversight Commission, jail populations, and incarceration rates is on the ballot for Los Angeles voters in Los Angeles County, California, on March 3, 2020. A yes vote is a vote in favor of amending the Los Angeles County Code to authorize the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission to develop a Comprehensive Public Safety Reinvestment Plan, which would aim to reduce jail population and incarceration, and grant the commission subpoena power to investigate complaints. A no vote is a vote against amending the Los Angeles County Code to grant the commission subpoena power to investigate complaints, thereby leaving the power with the Office of Inspector General.

  • Ballot summary
    • The purpose of this proposed measure is to enact an ordinance amending Title 3 of the Los Angeles County (“County”) Code related to the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission (“Commission”).
    • The measure proposes adding section 3.79.210, entitled Comprehensive Public Safety Reinvestment Plan, (“Plan”) to reduce jail population and provide alternatives to incarceration by:
    • Researching and developing the Plan within seven months of amending the County Code.
    • Conducting a Feasibility Study (“Study”) to timeline the plan to reduce jail population and strategy to reinvest jail system cost into prevention and mental health treatment.
    • The measure requires the Committee in the Plan and Study to:
    • Identify existing, proposed, and alternative options to arrest and incarceration for nonviolent crimes where mental health, substance abuse and chronic homelessness are issues.

    • Examine feasibility of reinvesting funds directed to jail expansion towards: reducing jail population of mental health, drug dependent, chronically homeless individuals; holistic mental health treatment; expanding youth centers and programs; reducing recidivism; alternatives to custody through the Department of Public Health; and increased funding to the Office of Diversion and Re-entry.

      Calculate the projected reduction in jail population and cost savings from reforms, compared to current policy.

                  Assess the jail population impact on bail reform for pre-arraignment/trial release.

                  Compare costs and effectiveness of mental health treatment inside the jail with community based drug treatment.

                  Investigate incarceration impacts on addressing addiction, education/employment, and family/community connections versus the cost and effectiveness of community-based drug treatment.

                  Identify infrastructure to implement the Plan, including housing, funding, programs, training, strategies and services to end recidivism.

                  Identify systemic and systematic barriers and recommend ways to eliminate them by working with County departments.

                  Recommend to the Board of Supervisors (“Board”) directives to the Chief Administrative Officer, Executive Officer of the Board, and County Counsel for staffing and funding the Commission.

              The measure proposes amending section 3.79.030, entitled Duties, permitting the Commission to investigate using its own staff.

              The measure proposes amending section 3.79.130, entitled Use of the Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) Staff for Investigative Purposes, permitting either OIG or the Commission to investigate, inquire, audit, and monitor, and allows the Commission to examine the OIG’s management of citizen and inmate complaints.

              The measure proposes amending section 3. 79.190, entitled Obtaining Documents and Information, granting the Commission subpoena power for documents or witnesses and deleting provisions requiring the Commission to be bound by a Memorandum of Understanding with the Sheriff for access to records.

              The measure proposes that if another measure appears on the ballot addressing this subject in a conflicting way, and each measure receives a majority of votes, the measure with the highest affirmative vote shall prevail.

              The measure proposes if any provision or part of the measure is found unconstitutional or invalid, the invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions or application, which could be implemented without the invalid part and it would be severable.

The Committee found that most of what is being called for in the measure is being implemented by the Board of Supervisors.