NOVEMBER BALLOT INTIATIVE ISSUES INCLUDE RENT CONTROL, MINIMUM WAGE, TAXES, LOW-INCOME HOUSING, AND LABOR ISSUES

By Miriam Raftery

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July 29, 2023 (Sacramento) – California voters will decide next year whether or not to raise the state’s minimum wage, allow local governments to approve rent control, tax the rich to fund prevention of future pandemics, ban workers from suing employers over state labor law violations, and make it harder for voters, state or local governments to raise taxes.  Backers of these measures have submitted enough signatures verified by county election officials to be eligible to qualify for the ballot by 131 days before the next statewide election.

Several more measures have already qualified, including two March primary measures. One would allow construction of low-income housing without voters’ approval; the other would affirm marriage equality as a constitutional right in California. Two more measures have qualified for the November 2024 ballot. One would challenge a law banning oil and gas drilling near homes, schools and other sensitive locations. The other would challenge a law that authorizes a council to set wages and working conditions for fast food workers.

Below are details from the California Secretary of State’s website.

November 2024 Eligible Statewide Ballot Measures 

1916. (21-0022A1)

PROVIDES FUNDING FOR PANDEMIC DETECTION AND PREVENTION BY INCREASING TAX ON PERSONAL INCOME OVER $5 MILLION. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AND STATUTE. 

Summary Date: 11/22/21

Final Random Sample Count: 7/05/22 (PDF)

ELIGIBLE: 07/05/22 (PDF)

Signatures Required: 997,139

Proponent(s): Max Henderson, Anna Maybach

Increases tax on personal income over $5 million by 0.75% for 10 years, and allocates new tax revenues as follows: 50% to the California Institute for Pandemic Prevention (established by this measure), to award grants for research and development of technologies to detect and prevent future pandemics; 25% for public health programs for pandemic preparedness; and 25% for improvements to school facilities to limit disease transmission. Creates Independent Scientific Governing Board to administer the Institute; requires board members have specified medical, technological, or public-health expertise. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Increased state tax revenues that likely would range from around $500 million to $1.5 billion annually for the ten-year period the new tax would be in effect. Revenues entirely would support activities related to infectious disease control and pandemic prevention. (21-0022A1.)

1921. (21-0027A1)

ELIMINATES EMPLOYEES’ ABILITY TO FILE LAWSUITS FOR MONETARY PENALTIES FOR STATE LABOR-LAW VIOLATIONS. INITIATIVE STATUTE. 

Summary Date: 12/08/21 (PDF)

Final Random Sample Count: 07/22/22 (PDF)

ELIGIBLE: 07/22/22 (PDF)

Signatures Required: 623,212 

Proponent(s): Brian Maas

Repeals 2004 law allowing employees to file lawsuits on behalf of themselves and other employees against employers to recover monetary penalties for certain state labor-law violations. Labor Commissioner retains authority to enforce labor laws and impose penalties. Eliminates Labor Commissioner’s authority to contract with private organizations or attorneys to assist with enforcement. Requires Legislature to provide funding of unspecified amount for Labor Commissioner enforcement. Requires Labor Commissioner to provide pre-enforcement advice; allows employers to correct identified labor-law violations without penalties. Authorizes increased penalties for willful violations. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Likely increase in state costs to enforce labor laws that could exceed $100 million per year. Reduction in state penalty revenue used for labor law enforcement in the tens of millions of dollars annually. (21-0027A1.)

1935. (21-0042A1)

LIMITS ABILITY OF VOTERS AND STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO RAISE REVENUES FOR GOVERNMENT SERVICES. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

Summary Date: 02/03/22

Final Full Check: 02/01/2023 (PDF)

ELIGIBLE: 02/01/23 (PDF)

Signatures Required: 997,139

Proponent(s): Thomas W. Hiltachk

For new or increased state taxes currently enacted by two-thirds vote of Legislature, also requires statewide election and majority voter approval. Limits voters’ ability to pass voter-proposed local special taxes by raising vote requirement to two-thirds. Eliminates voters’ ability to advise how to spend revenues from proposed general tax on same ballot as the proposed tax. Expands definition of “taxes” to include certain regulatory fees, broadening application of tax approval requirements. Requires Legislature or local governing body set certain other fees. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Lower annual state and local revenues, potentially substantially lower, depending on future actions of the Legislature, local governing bodies, voters, and the courts. (21-0042A1)

1936. (21-0043A1)

RAISES MINIMUM WAGE. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 02/08/22

Final Random Sample Count: 7/07/22 (PDF)

ELIGIBLE: 07/07/22 (PDF)

Signatures Required: 623,212

Proponent(s): Joe Sanberg

Existing law requires annual increases to California’s minimum wage until it has reached $15.00 per hour for all businesses on January 1, 2023. This measure extends these annual increases ($1.00 per year) until minimum wage—currently, $15.00 per hour for businesses with 26 or more employees, and $14.00 per hour for smaller businesses—reaches $18.00 per hour. Thereafter, as existing law requires, the minimum wage will annually adjust for inflation. In periods of decreased economic activity, or General Fund deficit, the Governor may suspend annual increase up to two times, thereby extending timeline for reaching $18.00 per hour. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Unclear change in annual state and local tax revenues, likely between a loss of a couple billion dollars and a gain of a few hundred million dollars. Increase in annual state and local government costs likely between half a billion dollars and a few billion dollars. (21-0043A1.)

1942. (22-0008)

EXPANDS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS’ AUTHORITY TO ENACT RENT CONTROL ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

Summary Date: 02/27/23 (PDF)

Final Random Sample Count: 07/26/23 (PDF)

ELIGIBLE: 07/26/23 (PDF)

Signatures Required: 601,317

Proponent(s): Ashoke Talukdar

Current state law (the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995) generally prevents cities and counties from limiting the initial rental rate that landlords may charge to new tenants in all types of housing, and from limiting rent increases for existing tenants in (1) residential properties that were first occupied after February 1, 1995; (2) single-family homes; and (3) condominiums. This measure would repeal that state law and would prohibit the state from limiting the right of cities and counties to maintain, enact, or expand residential rent-control ordinances. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on the state and local governments: Overall, a potential reduction in state and local revenues in the high tens of millions of dollars per year over time. Depending on actions by local communities, revenue losses could be less or more. (22-0008.)

As new initiatives enter circulation, fail, become eligible for, or qualify for an election ballot, the Secretary of State's office will issue initiative status updates. The updates can be found on our Initiative and Referendum Qualification Status page or by signing up for updates below.

QUALFIED BALLOT INITIATIVES

March 5, 2024, Statewide Ballot Measures

SCA 2 (Allen) Public housing projects. (Res. Ch. 182, 2022) (PDF)

SCA 2, Allen. Public housing projects.

The California Constitution prohibits the development, construction, or acquisition of a low-rent housing project, as defined, in any manner by any state public body until a majority of the qualified electors of the city, town, or county in which the development, construction, or acquisition of the low-rent housing project is proposed approve the project by voting in favor at an election, as specified. This measure would repeal these provisions.

ACA 5 (Low) Marriage equality. (Res. Ch. 125, 2023) (PDF)

 The California Constitution provides that only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California, and federal law permanently enjoins the state from enforcing this constitutional provision. This measure would repeal this unenforceable constitutional provision and would instead provide that the right to marry is a fundamental right, as specified.

November 5, 2024, Statewide Ballot Measures

1939. (22-0005)

REFERENDUM CHALLENGING 2022 LAW AUTHORIZING CREATION OF COUNCIL TO SET MINIMUM WAGE AND WORKING STANDARDS FOR FAST-FOOD WORKERS. 

Summary Date: 09/16/22

Final Random Sample Count: 01/24/23 (PDF)

QUALIFIED: 01/24/23 (PDF)

Signatures Required: 623,212

Proponent(s): Amber Evans, Steven McDermed

If the required number of registered voters sign this petition and it is timely filed, a 2022 law will not take effect unless approved at the next statewide general or special election after November 8, 2022. The challenged law: 

•  Authorizes creation of Fast Food Council (upon submission of 10,000 fast-food worker signatures) to set working standards and minimum wage (up to $22/hour in 2023, with capped annual increases) at fast-food restaurants with 100+ nationwide locations;
• Prohibits retaliation against fast-food workers for making certain workplace complaints.

1940. (22-0006)

REFERENDUM CHALLENGING 2022 LAW PROHIBITING NEW OIL AND GAS WELLS NEAR HOMES, SCHOOLS, AND HOSPITALS.

Summary Date: 09/29/22

Final Random Sample Count: 02/03/23 (PDF)

QUALIFIED: 02/03/23 (PDF)

Signatures Required: 623,212

Proponent(s): Jerome Reedy

If the required number of registered voters sign this petition and it is timely filed, a 2022 law will not take effect unless approved at the next statewide general or special election after November 8, 2022. The challenged law: 

•  Prohibits most new or modified oil and gas wells within 3,200 feet of specified locations, including housing, schools, daycares, parks, healthcare facilities, community resource centers, detention facilities, and businesses open to the public.
• Requires existing wells in these areas meet specified health, safety, and environmental requirements by January 1, 2025.

As new initiatives enter circulation, fail, become eligible for, or qualify for an election ballot, the Secretary of State's office will issue initiative status updates. The updates can be found on our Initiative and Referendum Qualification Status page or by signing up for updates below.