Vote By Mail ballots are out! So it's appropriate that this week our Prop Spotlight is on Proposition 71. For last week's Prop Spotlight, CLICK HERE. If you would like to be sent a file of all our talking points, send an email to Advocate@cfrw.org.
Prop 71: Effective Date of Ballot Measures
The CFRW recommends a YES vote
Ballot Title: Sets Effective Date for Ballot Measures. Legislative Constitutional Amendment
Ballot Summary:
- Provides that a ballot measure approved by a majority of voters shall take effect five days after the Secretary of State certifies the results of the election.
- Allows a ballot measure to provide that it will become operative at a date later than its effective date
Background
The current election law states that ballot measures go into effect the day after the election unless the measure specifically states a different effect date. This could cause confusion or costly legal battles as we come into the new “Vote By Mail” era. Ballots may be counted up to a month after the election and the Secretary of State must certify an election by 38 days after election day. So theoretically a measure could “win” a majority of votes the day after the election and the measure takes effect immediately, but there is a month or more where ballots can be counted, and the vote count could tip the measure the other way. Then what happens? Potentially law suits and a lot of confused voters. Prop 71 would give county elections offices and the Secretary of State time to count every mail in ballot before ballot measures would come into effect. Currently there are approximately 51% of Californians are registered to vote by mail and by 2020 the entire state will be required to vote by mail. Prop 71 would ensure all votes are counted before the ballot measures become official state law.
Talking Points
- By 2020, the entire state of California will be required to Vote By Mail. Prop 71 ensures that every vote is counted before election results are certified and ballot measures take effect.
- Prop 71 was passed unanimously in both houses of our legislatures. Every Republican Assembly member and Senator agree that every mail ballot deserves to be counted.
- If Prop 71 is not passed and vote by mail ballots take longer to count than expected, propositions that come into effect the day after the election could create expensive legal battles for taxpayers and confusion for Californians wanting to comply with a new law. Prop 71 does necessary “housekeeping” for the new “Vote By Mail” era.
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Universal Charitable Tax Credit: SB 1485 (Senator Morrell, R) was postponed in the Senate Governance and Finance Committee this week. It's hearing has been rescheduled to May 16th, next week! As you will recall, the Universal Charitable Tax Credit would allow taxpayers to choose to give to qualified nonprofits, up to $500, for a state tax credit of the same amount. The bill language reads, “The Personal Income Tax Law allows various credits against the taxes imposed. This bill, under the Personal Income Tax Law for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2018, would establish the California Universal Charitable Credit to allow a credit equal to the amount contributed by the taxpayer for the taxable year to a qualified charitable organization, resulting in significant financial and civic benefits for our state. This bill would require the Franchise Tax Board to compile a list of qualifying charitable organizations, and create forms for taxpayers to obtain the credit for contributions to qualifying charitable organizations.”
The government should not be a charitable organization. But the government can and should encourage taxpayers to support charities through tax credits. It’s a win-win!
From Senator Morrell's office: How can you support SB 1485 (Morrell) the Universal Charitable Tax Credit?
Write and Email Letter of support to:
Senator Mike Morrell Attn: Rebecca Ann Fontaine, Legislative Director at Rebecca.fontaine@sen.ca.gov
Write letters to: Senator Mike Morrell; State Capitol, Room 3056; Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916.651.4023
Fax: 916.651.1923
Call your Senators on the Governance and Finance Committee: “I am calling to express my support for SB 1485, Senator Mike Morrell’s Universal Charitable Tax Credit that is being heard in the Senate Governance and Finance Committee on May 9th , and I hope that Senator ________________ will also support SB 1485. Thank you.
Find your California State Senator at: ◼ http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov
Senator Mike McGuire: (Chair) Capitol: (916) 651-4002
Senator Jim Beall Capitol: (916) 651-4015
Senator, Dr. Ed Hernandez Capitol: (916) 651-4022
Senator Robert M. Hertzberg Capitol: (916) 651-4018
Senator Ricardo Lara Capitol: (916) 651-4033
3. Show up in support at the Senate Governance and Finance Committee hearing on May 16th , 2018 at 9:30 a.m. California State Capitol, 1303 10th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, Room 112 on the historic side of the building!!!
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Speaking of Charitable Giving....
Kurtie Kellner, our CFRW Intern, is a UC Davis College Republican and a member of the Chi Omega Sorority. Kurtie is an unpaid volunteer for our organization, and a terrific one at that! Her sorority is doing a fundraising challenge for The Huntsman Cancer Institute. Read her request below and please consider donating!
This week, my sorority, Chi Omega, is raising funds for the Huntmans Cancer Foundation. Click ◼ HERE to go directly to our fundraising page to donate! Every dollar counts and it’s going toward a really great cause!
The Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) is a leader in the study of cancer genetics and its researchers have discovered more inherited cancer genes than any other cancer center in the world. Genes responsible for breast and ovarian cancer, colon cancer, head and neck cancer, and melanoma were identified here.
All cancer treatments used today began with research. And with the money that we raise, we WILL be the generation to end cancer. To learn more about research taking place at HCI please visit ◼ huntsmancancer.org and to donate toward our fundraiser challenge, ◼ CLICK HERE!
Thanks! Sincerely, Kurtie
Sharing is Caring!
We encourage our Republican Women Federated members to share the information they find here in the Capitol Update. As a member of the CFRW, you have access to information about what is happening in our state Capitol that is not readily available or easy to find. Now we want you to pass on this information to other Californians who need to know what is really being passed in Sacramento. You can print out your copy of the Capitol Update to hand out. You can copy and paste into your club's newsletter. You can forward this email to people you know (if you do choose to forward, remember to erase the “Unsubscribe” link at the bottom of the email. It will be a “live” link, even in the email forward, and if someone clicks it, they will unsubscribe the original receiver- you). You can even copy and paste segments of the Capitol Update into your Social Media. However you choose to share, please just share!
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Disclaimer: The Capitol Update is an activity of the CFRW Advocate's Office. The update is for information only. CFRW official positions on legislation are stated immediately preceding the stated legislation or immediately following the stated legislation in this report.
CFRW RECOMMENDS:June Ballot Measures
Prop 68: NO
Prop 69: NO
Prop 70: NO
Prop 71: YES
Prop 72: YES
Proposition 68: California Parks, Environment, and Water Bond- would issue a $4 billion general obligation bond, with a 3.5% interest rate over 30 years, bringing the bill to the taxpayers up to $6.4 billion total. The CFRW says vote NO.
Proposition 69: Transportation Taxes and Fees Lockbox and Appropriations Limit Exemption Amendment- states that Senate Bill 1 revenue from diesel taxes will be placed in a “lockbox” and used only for transportation fund purposes. The CFRW says vote NO.
Proposition 70: Vote Requirement to Use Cap and Trade Funds Amendment- would require a one-time vote in 2024 by a 2/3rds legislative majority to allocate state Cap and Trade program revenue. The CFRW says NO.
Proposition 71: Effective Date of Ballot Measures Amendment- changes the date for when voter approved ballot measures take effect from the day after the election to the fifth day after the Secretary of State certifies the election. The CFRW says vote YES.
Proposition 72: Rainwater Capture Systems Excluded from Property Tax Assessment- would exclude any new rainwater capture structures from property value tax reassessment from counting as a new structure. The CFRW says vote YES.
If you would like ALL the talking points for each proposition, please email our Advocate at advocate@cfrw.org. It is a large file, but we are publishing all 5 propositions’ talking points closer to the election.
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