Calif Prop Would Make State Election Days Holidays

Two Proposed Initiatives Enter Circulation

1. State Holidays. Statewide General Elections. Initiative Statute.

2. Definition of Fees, Charges, Taxes. Vote Requirements. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.

SACRAMENTO, CA --- Secretary of State Bruce McPherson announced today that the proponents of two new initiatives may begin collecting petition signatures for their measures.

The Attorney General’s official titles and summaries are as follows:

STATE HOLIDAYS. STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTIONS. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Provides that statewide general election days shall be state holidays. Further provides that public schools and community colleges shall close on statewide general election days, and that certain public employees, including public school and community college classified employees, may be entitled to a paid holiday on statewide general election days pursuant to collective bargaining agreements. Makes other non-substantive changes to renumber certain statutory subdivisions.

Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Increased state costs of up to $18 million annually, depending on future collective bargaining negotiations.

The Secretary of State’s tracking number for this measure is 1140 and the Attorney General’s tracking number is SA2005RF0076.

The proponent, Roy R. Benson, must collect 373,816 signatures of registered voters, equal to five percent of the total votes cast for governor in the 2002 gubernatorial election, in order to qualify the measure. The 150-day deadline to circulate petitions for this measure is December 5, 2005. The initiative proponent can be reached at 415-847-3963.

DEFINITION OF FEES, CHARGES, TAXES. VOTE REQUIREMENTS. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

Redefines certain local fees or charges as taxes, which require approval by the electorate, and redefines certain state fees or charges as state taxes, which require enactment by a two-thirds vote of the Legislature rather than majority vote. Requires two-thirds vote of Legislature for any statutory change that results in any taxpayer paying a higher tax. Provides that any state or local tax, fee, or charge adopted after January 1, 2006, which was not adopted in compliance with this measure, is void 12 months after the effective date of this measure.

Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Potentially significant decrease in state and local revenues from certain fees or charges, depending upon future actions of the Legislature, local governing bodies, and local electorates.

The Secretary of State’s tracking number for this measure is 1139 and the Attorney General’s tracking number is SA2005RF0075.

The proponents, Allen S. Zaremberg and Jack M. Stewart, must collect 598,105 signatures of registered voters, equal to eight percent of the total votes cast for governor in the 2002 gubernatorial election, in order to qualify the measure. The 150-day deadline to circulate petitions for this measure is December 5, 2005. The initiative proponents can be reached in care of Kathy Donovan of Pillsbury, Winthrop, Shaw, Pittman, LLP, at 916-329-4700.