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 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 organization’s Executive Committee makes the final determination on these recommended positions and is using this blog post as a means of notifying East Bay EDA members, partners, and other stakeholder on these recommended positions.
YES
Proposition 2: Public Education Facilities Bond Measure
As an organization that supports improving education at all levels and building the workforce development pipeline, East Bay EDA recommends a yes position on this ballot proposition that aims to allocate additional funding toward construction and modernization for K-12 schools and community colleges. Vote yes.
YES
Proposition 3: Right to Marry and Repeal Proposition 8 Amendment
The East Bay EDA is in support of Proposition 3, which would repeal Proposition 8 (2008) which defined marriage in the state constitution as between one man and one woman, reversing a state judicial ruling that legalized same-sex marriage in California. Proposition 8 was invalidated by the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2025, which protected same-sex marriage under the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment.
YES
Proposition 4: Parks, Environment, Energy, and Water Bond Measure
In addition to supporting environmental, energy and water projects that impact our region’s broader economic and business environment, this proposition would also require a portion of the bond revenue to fund activities that benefit marginalized communities that are affected by environmental changes and disasters. As a proponent of ensuring equitable growth throughout all our communities, the East Bay EDA lends its support to this proposition.
YES
Proposition 5: Lower Supermajority Requirement to 55% for Local Special Taxes to Fund Housing and Public Infrastructure Amendment
Due to historically high housing prices and overall cost of living impacting our residents, East Bay EDA supports Proposition 5, which would lower the vote threshold for local bond measures impacting affordable fund housing projects and public infrastructure. The proposition would also hold city, county and special districts accountable for funds that are used according to their intended purpose.
YES
Proposition 6: Remove Involuntary Servitude as Punishment for Crime Amendment
Proposition 6 proposes to prohibit the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from disciplining any incarcerated person from refusing a work assignment and instead authorizes the department to award time credits to incarcerated persons who voluntarily participate in work assignments. East Bay EDA recommends this amendment, which would remove any language related to slavery and involuntary servitude, and instead offer incarcerated individuals’ additional fairer options.
NO POSITION
Proposition 32: $18 Minimum Wage Initiative
While an increase in the state minimum wage would support workers, it also impacts businesses, especially small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. Cost of living is rising for all Californians. As many of our member cities take independent approaches on wages, East Bay EDA declines to take a support or oppose position on this matter and instead recommends a more comprehensive approach in making our state a place where all Californians can thrive and prosper.
NO
Proposition 33: Prohibit State Limitations on Local Rent Control Initiative
East Bay EDA opposes repealing Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, which prohibits rent control on single-family homes and houses completed after February 1, 1995. If local jurisdictions were to be given to ability to adopt strict rent control ordinances, it has the potential to make California’s already dire housing shortage event worse. Proposition 33 would also abolish an existing state ban on vacancy control, that prohibits rental housing providers from adjusting rents to market rates when a tenant moves out. California voters have already shot down this proposal twice already and should again vote no.
NO POSITION
Proposition 34: Require Certain Participants in Medi-Cal Rx Program to Spend 98% of Revenues on Patient Care Initiative
While East Bay EDA is a big supporter of community health, our organization declines to take a position on how health care providers (or specifically how the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, as the only provider that spends more than $100 million on expenses other than direct care) manages their allocation of funding.
YES
Proposition 35: Managed Care Organization Tax Authorization Initiative
This ballot initiative would permanently authorize a tax on managed care organizations and require revenues to be used for increased Medi-Cal programs. It is our recommendation to support Proposition 35, which is set to expire in 2026, to ensure Californians have access to healthcare today and into the future.
YES
Proposition 36: Drug and Theft Crime Penalties and Treatment-Mandated Felonies
This ballot measure would amend Proposition 47 (2014) and allow for harsher charges and sentences for individuals convicted of drug (including fentanyl) and theft crimes, while also expanding rehabilitation and treatment opportunities. Within recent years, public safety has become and increasingly bigger concern for our members and businesses, and East Bay EDA recommends supporting this measure aimed at providing a safer place to live and work.