Your vote matters and the 2016 election is just 25 days away. There are two propositions on the November 8th ballot this year that will have significant impacts on California’s construction industry and deserve your attention.

CAL SMACNA’s Legislative Committee is strongly recommending to all contractor members and construction industry affiliates that they vote“YES” on Proposition 51 and vote “NO” on Proposition 53.

See below information on Prop 51, Prop 53, links to all Propositions and a link to the complete 2016 voter information guide provided by the California Secretary of State.

YES on PROPOSITION 51— School Facility Construction Bond
This measure will create new work for CAL SMACNA contractors by providing $9 billion for school facility new construction and modernization. It also supports the revitalization of shop class in our high schools by including a set-aside of $500 million to be specifically used for the construction of career technical education facilities.

  • $3 billion for Modernization
  • $3 billion for New Construction
  • $2 Billion for Community Colleges
  • $500 million for Charter Schools
  • $500 million for career technical education
  • LOCAL MATCH BRINGS TOTAL SPENDING TO $17.25 billion

NO on PROPOSITION 53Statewide Voter Approval on ALL Revenue Bond Financed Construction Projects over $2B. This measure would stall or stop future work for CAL SMACNA contractors on large public works construction projects.  Specifically, this proposition would amend the California Constitution to require any local or statewide public works project that is financed by revenue bonds and exceeds $2B to be approved by the voters on a statewide ballot. The measure would add new layers of bureaucracy and red tape that will delay or stop needed improvements to critical infrastructure, highways, airports, water systems, universities, etc.  This includes any necessary re-construction after emergencies and natural disasters.

For more detailed information on these two initiatives and all others on the ballot, please see the information below as provided by the California Secretary of State.

OFFICIAL SECRETARY OF STATE VOTER GUIDE ON ALL 2016 CALIFORNIA PROPOSITIONS

2016 OFFICIAL SECRETARY OF STATE
COMPLETE VOTER INFORMATION GUIDE

CLICK HERE FOR THE OFFICIAL VOTER INFORMATION GUIDE 

Dates to Remember

  1. October 10, 2016
    First day to vote-by-mail
  2. October 24, 2016
    Last day to register to vote
  3. November 1, 2016
    Last day to apply for a
    vote-by-mail ballot by mail
  4. November 8, 2016
    Election Day
    Polls are open 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.