Government Affairs & Advocacy

The El Centro Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau urges the Imperial Valley business community to understand the impact of the June 8, 2010 statewide ballot measures on the local economy. Specifically, the five measures on the June ballot will have a direct impact on El Centro’s recovering economy and the Chamber is working hard to educate local businesses on why each of them are important.

“It is the responsibility of the El Centro Chamber to represent the interests of our businesses at all levels of government,” stated Cathy Kennerson, Chief Executive Officer of the El Centro Chamber. “The June ballot measures will have a direct impact on our businesses so their involvement is very important,” continued Kennerson.

The following five measures will appear on the June 2010 ballot.

Proposition 13: Property Tax: New Construction Exclusion: Seismic Retrofitting

El Centro Chamber Position: SUPPORT

What Does This Measure Mean To You?

Proposition 13, a constitutional amendment, would prohibit tax assessors from re-evaluating new construction for property tax purposes when the point of the new construction is to seismically retrofit an existing building. Earthquake safety improvements made to unreinforced masonry (such as brick) buildings would not result in higher property taxes until the building is sold. The El Centro Chamber believes it is reasonable to allow for seismic upgrades to not be considered as improvements to commercial or residential property for the purposes of reassessing the value of property.

Proposition 14: Elections: Open Primaries

El Centro Chamber Position: SUPPORT

Proposition 14, a state constitutional amendment, would require that candidates run in a single primary open to all registered voters, with the top two vote-getters meeting in a runoff. The new system would take effect in the 2012 elections. The El Centro Chamber believes this measure will open the primary to allow for all candidates to face voters in the June primary election regardless of partisanship. This will allow for more choices earlier in the election process and provide voters with the opportunity to vote for any candidate.

Proposition 15: California Fair Election Act

El Centro Chamber Position: OPPOSE

What Does This Measure Mean To You?

Proposition 15 would lift the state ban on public funding for political campaigns and asses fees on registered lobbyists in California in order to fund candidates for the Office of the Secretary of State of California in 2014 and 2018. The El Centro Chamber believes this measure does not support the idea of taxing lobbyists to pay for a new election process. Also, the Chamber is concerned that the process for qualifying for the public financing for the campaign to run for Secretary of State will be cumbersome and an administrative burden to the process.

Proposition 16: Taxpayers Right To Vote Act

El Centro Chamber Position: Neutral

What Does This Measure Mean To You?

Proposition 16 is a state constitutional amendment, if passed, would require a two-thirds voter approval before local governments can provide electricity service to customers or implement a community choice electricity program using public funds or bonds. The El Centro Chamber decided to not take a position on this ballot measure.

Proposition 17: Continuous Coverage Auto Insurance Discount Act

El Centro Chamber Position: SUPPORT

What Does This Measure Mean To You?

Proposition 17 amends Proposition 103 (1988) that authorizes the use of an additional discount on premiums for automobile insurance policies. Proposition 17 would allow an insurer to offer a “continuous coverage” discount to new customers who have maintained their coverage while they previously were customers of another insurer. The El Centro Chamber understands that many states already mandates this ability for consumers to maintain their discount if they switch insurance carriers. Also, most insurance companies in California already afford this ability to consumers. The Chamber feels it is reasonable to place this ability in state law to protect businesses and consumers from ever losing this ability.

Log on to www.IVAdvocacy.com for more information.

The City of El Centro along with the El Centro Chamber of Commerce held its Candidate Debate for two openings on the City of El Centro's City Council. Jason Jackson, Ben Solomon, and Cheryl Viegas-Walker faced each during the El Centro Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau "Candidates' Debate" on October 14, 2009 at the Imperial Irrigation District "William D. Condit Auditorium". The El Centro Chamber would like to thank all the media who came to support the debate.

• IVNewday was at the debate as the three had the opportunity to answer questions. Click here to view video.
• KXO Radio - AM/FM will be broadcasting a feed of the debate on the following dates:
  
• KXO AM1230 - Wednesday, Oct 21 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. & Tuesday, October 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. KXO FM107.5 - Thursday, October 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. & Monday, October 26 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  
• To view Imperial Valley Press article click here.
• To view Imperial Valley Living video click here.
  

The El Centro & Brawley Chambers of Commerce Board of Directors joined forces to create a Regional Govenmental Affairs Committee (GAC). The GAC consists of sixteen business people from throughout the Imperial Valley who meet monthly to discuss and take action on important issues, at all levels of government, that impact our regional business community.

Policy issues of all levels of government have positive and negative impacts on your business, representing your business is a must. The GAC serves as your voice on the issues that matter the most to creating and maintaing jobs throughout the Imperial Valley.

Log on to our new online tool www.IVAdvocacy.com.

The Department of Homeland Security has launched "Our Border" a new site that connects people who live and work on the border. This site will open nrew channels of communication and foster a dialogue between law enforcement, the private sector, the federal govenment and eveyone else who is interested in Southwest Border issues.  

Log on, sign up, and introduce yourself. Go to www.ourborder.ning.com, click on the "forums" tab, and tell others who you are in the "Introduce Yourself" form.