Local Measures
ALBANY
Measure K – Special tax for emergency medical services, advanced life support and fire protection.
This measure would repeal 2 special taxes assessed at the same rate for all real properties, no matter the size, and replace them with one special tax on real property of $0.074 per square foot of land. Basing the tax on size of lot is more equitable, would be lower for small residences and shops, but will generate more income. Albany would be able to increase the number of emergency people on duty at a time from six to seven.
A 2/3 vote is required to pass. Vote yes
BERKELEY
Measure L – Bond Measure
This measure would allow the city to issue $650 million in general obligation bonds over a 48 year period. The proceeds are intended to be used for production of much needed affordable housing, and maintain and improve city infrastructure. The cost would be met by adding an ad valorum item to our property tax bills.
A 2/3 vote is required to pass. Vote yes
Measure M – Vacancy Tax
This measure would create a tax on property owners who keep a residential unit vacant for more than 182 days in a year. This should get some housing back into the market. This is a general tax and would go into the city’s general fund.
Requires a simple majority to pass. Vote yes
Measure N – Low Income Housing
In order to develop below market rate units, the California Constitution requires that a city’s voters must approve a certain number before they can be developed, constructed or acquired. Our City Council is asking voters to approve 3,000 new units. Low income housing is needed.
Requires a simple majority to pass. Vote yes
EMERYVILLE
Measure O – Real Property Transfer Tax
The Emeryville City Council is asking the voters to increase the Transfer Tax when real property changes hands. The current amount is $12 per $1,000 of the sale price. For sales of $1 million or more this measure would raise the tax to $15 per $1,000, and for sales $2 million or over it would raise to $25 per $1,000. This money would go into the city general fund. This is a reasonable, one-time cost that would help Emeryville run.
Requires a simple majority to pass Vote yes
State Propositions
Prop 1: Reproductive Freedom – A recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court held that the U.S. Constitution does not protect the right to abortion. While access to abortion is no longer federally protected and is under attack across the country, we can safeguard access in California. Proposition 1 will amend the California Constitution to enshrine the fundamental right to choose an abortion, use or refuse contraceptives (birth control), and make individual decisions on reproductive health. These rights are consistent with existing state laws and our state constitutional rights to privacy and equal protection. Vote yes
Prop 26: In-Person Sports Betting in Tribal Casinos No Position
Prop 27: Online Sports Betting No Position
Prop 28: Funding Arts and Music Education – The League strongly supports a high-quality public education system in California. Because of a variety of voter-supported initiatives which limit and prescribe state and local spending, California does not provide the level of financial support for its schools that the League considers adequate. This proposition would provide additional financial resources (about $1 billion per year), specifically for music and arts education. Neutral
Prop 29: Kidney Dialysis Clinics Requirements – This measure would require operators of chronic dialysis clinics to have a minimum of one licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant at a clinic whenever patients are being treated, offer the same level of care to all patients regardless of how payment is being made, and make reports about dialysis-related infections to the state’s health department, in addition to submitting federal agency reports containing the same information. Consent of the California Department of Public Health would be required prior to any clinic’s closure or reduction of hours of operation. Neutral
Prop 30: Income Tax on Millionaires for Electric Cars – Prop 30 would increase the income tax for very wealthy Californians, and use the proceeds on programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation and wildfires in the state. The initiative includes thoughtful proposals for moving to electrify our transportation, including incentives and education, requirements for improving charging infrastructure for all road vehicles, and improving the electric grid to meet increased demand. The League supports these goals and proposals. The need to make significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions is clear. Neutral
Prop 31: Yes or No to Banning Flavored Tobacco Products – In 2020, California passed a law banning the in-person sale of flavored tobacco products, like candy-flavored e-cigarettes and menthol cigarettes, at stores and vending machines. Sellers violating the law would be subject to criminal misdemeanor prosecution. A YES vote on Prop 31 is a vote to keep the ban in place. More than two million middle and high school students in the U.S. use e-cigarettes which deliver large doses of addictive nicotine. In California, 96 percent of high school e-cigarette users choose flavored products. Vote yes
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