The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce has put together a 2024 Election Guide for you to consider when marking your ballots this November. Learn more about where the SLO Chamber stands on the issues affecting our community.
Yes on Proposition 4
The SLO Chamber supports Proposition 4, which would allocate $10 billion in bonds to finance state and local parks, environmental protection efforts, water infrastructure, energy projects, and flood protection measures.
Utilizing bonds is a cost-effective approach to funding vital infrastructure for parks, environmental conservation, energy and water resources, and falls in line with the SLO Chamber’s Economic Vision.
Learn more about Proposition 4.
Yes on Proposition 5
The SLO Chamber supports Proposition 5, it will allow local jurisdictions the opportunity to ask its voters to bond for critical public infrastructure and affordable housing with a 55% support requirement rather than a supermajority vote requirement. SLO County has missed out on potentially hundreds of millions in matching funds from the state and federal government investment in our infrastructure, because of past bond failures.
This amendment would apply to any relevant local bond measures on the November 5 ballot if approved. It also mandates that local jurisdictions conduct an annual audit to ensure funds are used as intended until all proceeds are spent.
Learn more about Proposition 5.
No on Proposition 32
The SLO Chamber opposes Proposition 32, which would raise the minimum wage to $18 per hour. Minimum wage changes should be made through legislative action rather than ballot measures, and if passed, this proposition would hurt small and local businesses.
Learn more about Proposition 32.
No on Proposition 33
The SLO Chamber opposes Proposition 33, which seeks to repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act (1995). This would allow cities and counties to impose rent control on any housing and regulate rent for tenants. The proposition also includes language that would prevent the state from limiting local governments’ authority to maintain, enact, or expand residential rent control.
While the SLO Chamber recognizes the challenges of housing affordability in the current market, this proposition is not the solution and would wreak havoc on the housing market both locally and statewide.
Learn more about Proposition 33.
Neutral on Proposition 34
The SLO Chamber is neutral on Proposition 34, which would mandate that healthcare providers who:
- spend more than $100 million within any ten-year period on activities other than direct patient care, and
- operate multifamily housing with more than 500 high-severity health and safety violations
would have to allocate 98% of revenue from the federal discount prescription drug program to direct patient care. Violators would face penalties, including the loss of tax-exempt status and licenses to operate health insurance plans, pharmacies, and clinics. The proposition also seeks to permanently authorize Medi-Cal RX in state law.
Learn more about Proposition 34.
Yes on Proposition 35
The SLO Chamber supports Proposition 35, which would permanently authorize a tax on managed care organizations based on monthly enrollees, currently set to expire in 2026. The revenues generated would be used to enhance Medi-Cal programs.
This proposition is in line with the Chamber’s economic vision of supporting efforts to develop and grow access to quality healthcare to serve the current and future needs of our community.
Learn more about Proposition 35.
Neutral on Proposition 36
The state legislature passed and the Governor recently signed 10 bills that enact tougher laws on organized retail theft – an issue that the SLO Chamber actively advocated for. As a result, the SLO Chamber is neutral on Proposition 36, which proposes changes to Prop 47 from 2014. These proposed changes include:
- Reclassifying certain drug offenses as treatment-mandated felonies and increasing penalties by lengthening sentences and raising the severity of crimes.
- Requiring courts to warn individuals convicted of distributing illegal drugs about potential future criminal liability if they distribute deadly substances like fentanyl, heroin, cocaine or methamphetamine.
- Increasing sentences for theft based on the value of the stolen property.
Learn more about Proposition 36.