ECA Newsletter
10-25-18
John’s Soapbox
Public Policy Institute Latest Polling
Are you sick of polling yet? One of the most highly respected and accurate (traditionally) polling groups just came out with the results of many of the State Measures that could affect our ECA members dramatically. In the interest of “knowledge is power”, I am providing the polling information to you with some “editorializing” liberty as this is an opinion piece!
From the San Jose Mercury News, there is “breaking news” on several of the “big-issues” on the State Ballot:
- Gavin Newsom vs Cox-Newsom holds an 11-point lead over Cox with only 2 weeks to go. This does not look good for anybody in the State concerned about the cost of providing health care to everybody in the State, regardless of whether they are here legally or illegally. Gavin has come out in the past touting health care for all even at the cost of $10,000 additional for all State taxpayers. Watch for increases in business taxes to pay for Newsom’s generous efforts.
- Dianne Feinstein is 16 points ahead of Kevin de Leon. At 85 years old, Feinstein is the oldest Senator. Folks obviously do not care about her husband’s real estate company being handed a multi billion “no-bid” contract to sell off post office real estate lands and buildings. I guess nobody cares because it is obvious that the decision to give her hubby the biz was totally fair under Obama’s watch. Right—
- Prop 6 shows 41% favoring, and 48% opposing the repeal of the 12 cents per gallon fuel tax which was passed by the Legislator in June of 2017. With 11% listed as “undecided”, there is still cause for hope or concern depending on your perspective. I would point folks in the direction of acknowledging the projects that are being funded by those tax dollars and what good will come from those projects in relieving traffic congestion, improving safety of our roads and bridges, and the employment of local workers that continue to fuel the economy. With Prop 69 passed that prevents the State from diverting our tax dollars, this is about the best bet we can ever hope for for a fair user tax to fix roads and bridges.
- Rent Control-Prop 10 is the biggest mover in the latest polling-36% favor it, while 60% oppose it. In my humble opinion the repeal of Costa Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995 (which prohibits California cities from limiting how much landlords can charge for rent for units built after 1995, failing to pass is a good thing for our economy and our industry. Prop 10 is an ill-advised attempt at social engineering that the voters seem too smart to have rammed down their throats. Hope the results hold!
This latest poll asked 1704 Californians by both land and mobile phone calls, in both English and in Spanish, how they would vote. The sampling error is plus or minus 3.3%. To access the article, click here.
To access an op-ed piece about the polling by Dan Walters, click here.
That’s All Folks
John Bly
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Local Races:
In Santa Rosa, Dorothy Beattie would make a great City Council person. Please support Dorothy if you live in the Fountain Grove, Chanate, Montecito Hts areas.
For SRJC Trustee, Jeff Kunde is really running hard and Is the ECA choice for your vote.
In Santa Rosa, despite the opposition from Jack Buckhorn and Greg Sarris from the Graton Federaton Tribe, Measure N would do a lot of good for housing without costing too much. ECA recommends a Yes Vote on Meaure N
Mike Harris for Mayor of Petaluma. He is a good friend of business and construction.
ECA also Endorses David King (Incumbent), Michael Regan, and Kevin McDonnell for City Council.