As a cross-sector, member driven organization, East Bay EDA promotes, advocates and influences legislation and policy efforts that contribute to a strong economy that attracts business, job opportunities and investment to the East Bay region. The positions recommended below were developed by an ad hoc group of East Bay EDA members representing the organization’s diverse membership. This group deliberated each initiative carefully, considering East Bay EDA’s 2022 legislative platform as the primary lens through which to assess and formulate positions (or decline to do so) on specific ballot measures on the November 2022 ballot. The East Bay EDA Executive Committee adopted the following positions on these measures and is using this blog post as a means of notifying members, partners, and other stakeholders.
R

YES

Proposition 1
(Right to Reproductive Freedom)

As an organization that supports economic empowerment, equity, and inclusion, East Bay EDA recommends a yes position on this ballot proposition so that women are not hindered from accessing the same economic and employment opportunities as other genders due to any restrictions on their reproductive freedoms. Vote yes.

O

NO POSITION

Proposition 26
(Legalization of sports better at American Indian gaming casinos) and
Proposition 27
(Legalization of mobile sports betting)

Although both Propositions 26 and 27 promise to offer lots of economic benefits to Californians, evidence that either of them actually will deliver on that has been wanting, and local communities and tribes may disproportionately benefit (or be harmed by) the passage of either of these propositions, leading East Bay EDA to refrain from taking a position on either of them.

Q

NO

Proposition 28
(Funding for K-12 art & music education)

While East Bay EDA is a big supporter of arts and music education for children, youth, and families, our organization remains inherently cautious and skeptical of efforts designed to utilize the citizen petition process to establish state budget policy. This is why we elect leaders to state office – the onus for them to potentially do something on this issue should rest with them as part of regular K-12 budget deliberations. Vote no.

O

NO POSITION

Proposition 29
(Staffing, reporting, and other requirements for dialysis clinics)

The group that was convened to discuss the 2022 ballot noted that this initiative has been on the last few ballots and has failed to pass. While East Bay EDA declines to take a support or oppose position on this matter, many questioned why this issue continues to appear before the voters given their prior decision(s) on previous measures.

O

NO POSITION

Proposition 30
(Personal income tax increase for high-income earners)

Proposition 30 proposes to increase the personal income tax by 1.75% for people with annual incomes above $2 million for key investments in zero-emission vehicle projects and wildfire prevention. While there is no question that these are critical needs that need to be funded, East Bay EDA is not recommending any specific position on this measure, for just like Proposition 28, Proposition 30 seeks to budget or direct resources at the ballot box.

R

YES

Proposition 31
(Uphold ban on flavored tobacco sales)

Tobacco consumption in California is a public health threat with many economic, social, and other costs, particularly among its youngest users. To help keep our current and future workforce healthy and productive, the state would benefit from having a uniform statewide policy that eliminates the current patchwork of city and county ordinances that define the current landscape. Vote yes.