California Proposition 23 (2010)
Encyclopedia
Proposition 23 was a California ballot proposition
that was on the November 2, 2010 California statewide ballot
It was defeated by California voters during the statewide election by a 23% margin.. If passed, it would have suspended AB 32
, a law enacted in 2006 that is in extenso, legally referred to as the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. Sponsors of the initiative referred to their measure as the California Jobs Initiative while opponents called it the Dirty Energy Prop.
The goal of the proposition was to freeze the provisions of AB 32 until California's unemployment rate drops to 5.5% or below for four consecutive quarters. As the current rate is 12.4%, this wording was seen by Arnold Schwarzenegger
and others as a wording trick to delay the environmental regulations indefinitely. AB 32 requires that greenhouse emission levels in the state be cut to 1990 levels by 2020, in a gradual process of cutting that is slated to begin in 2012. Reducing greenhouse emission levels to 1990 levels will involve cutting them by about 15% from 2010 levels.
AB 32 includes a provision allowing the Governor of California
to suspend the provisions of AB 32 if there are "extraordinary circumstances" in place, such as "significant economic harm". The supporters of Prop 23, Assemblyman Dan Logue and Ted Costa, decided to circulate a petition to accomplish a suspension of the environmental regulations. Governor Schwarzenegger, as well as the major party candidates for Governor, Jerry Brown
, and Meg Whitman
, have all stated they will vote "no" on Prop 23. Brown however favors "adjustments" to AB 32, while Whitman would immediately suspend AB 32.
Louise Bedsworth, a research fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California
, predicted in April that total campaign spending on this proposition would top the $154 million record set in 2006 by Proposition 87
.
If campaign spending on the proposition does reach that level, it could be because supporters and opponents view the battle over the suspension of AB 32 as symbolic in the larger national debate over global warming. Steven Maviglio, speaking for a group that wants to keep AB 32 intact, said, "...this could be a ground zero for the battle for the future of clean energy."
Old Ballot Label: "Suspends air pollution control laws requiring major polluters to report and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, until unemployment rate drops to 5.5 percent or less for full year."
Official Ballot Label:
"Suspends implementation of air pollution control law (AB 32) requiring major sources of emissions to report and reduce greenhouse emissions that cause global warming, until unemployment drops to 5.5 percent or less for full year.
Official summary:
Estimated fiscal impact:
According to Cal-Access, as of October 1, donations totalling just under $10 million had been made to the "California Jobs Initiative Committee":
According to the LA Times, the Adam Smith Foundation
is a non-profit based in Jefferson city
, Missouri
. Its mission statement says, "The Adam Smith Foundation was created to defend judicial reform, government accountability, education reform, tax and spending reform and protecting private property."
Goddard Clausen's leadership role in the effort was a factor leading to Ted Costa's decision to step away from the campaign. He said, "They're a bunch of greedy consultants feeding off the trough" and objected to how much money he predicts Goddard Clausen will spend to get the signatures to qualify the measure for the ballot, versus how much money he would have spent, if he had been hired to collect those signatures: "I said I could qualify this initiative for $1.2 million. They'll probably spend $3 million, and all that money will go to consultants."
Dan Logue opined that Costa's position was a case of sour grapes: "Ted basically didn't get the contract to do the signatures, so he's mad."
Democratic consultant Steve Maviglio works for "Californians for Clean Energy and Jobs". He says, "This measure is a polluter’s dream and will kill a clean energy economy for California."
and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
unveiled a viral political commercial during a live webcast titled A Message from James Cameron: Vote NO on 23. The commercial was a collaborative effort between Mr Cameron and Mr Schwarzenegger and was directed by Australian director A.J. Carter.
The viral spot which runs for 1 minute 10 seconds, motioned for a 'No on 23' vote and received more than 50,000 web hits on YouTube alone in the 72 hours leading up to the ballot deadline.
and CREDO Action have called for a boycott of Valero and Beacon gas stations in order to punish Valero for providing financial sponsorship of the initiative. Michael Kieschnick, the president of CREDO Action, said, "What is particularly troubling is that anyone who buys gasoline from Valero is now helping to fund audacious attacks on California's air quality standards. Valero believes it will be cheaper to deceive California voters than to compete in the new energy economy." The communications director of the campaign, Anita Mangels responded, "We are not about stopping carbon reduction... We are about doing it in a responsible manner that won't destroy jobs and cost billions of dollars at the worst possible time."
. This is because the next Governor of California
, by the terms of AB 32, has the power to suspend AB 32 regardless of whether the initiative passes.
law
that establishes a timetable to bring California into near-compliance with the provisions of the Kyoto Protocol
by capping state-created greenhouse gases by 2020, based on 1990 emissions.
The petition drive to qualify the measure for the ballot was launched the first week of March. Organizers turned in their qualifying signatures on Monday, May 3. In e-mails to the press on May 3, the campaign said that it had turned in over 800,000 signatures.
On November 25, 2009, the group People's Advocate filed a request with the Office of the California Attorney General
for an official ballot title
on 09-0094. An official summary was accordingly provided on February 3, 2010. To qualify 09-0094 for the November 2, 2010 ballot, supporters had to provide qualifying signatures to California's 58 county election clerks no later than July 5.
On December 22, requests for ballot titles were filed on 09-0104 and 09-0105. These ballot titles were provided on February 7, with petition deadlines of July 19.
On July 29 the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
sued Attorney Jerry Brown claiming that the ballot description was deceptive.http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_15617802?nclick_check=1 Judge Timothy Frawley agreed that the wording was misleading and ordered Brown to change the wording.http://www.sacbee.com/2010/08/03/2933928/new-language-ordered-for-initiative.html
Supporters
Opponents
California ballot proposition
In California, a ballot proposition is a proposed law that is submitted to the electorate for approval in a direct vote . It may take the form of a constitutional amendment or an ordinary statute. A ballot proposition may be proposed by the State Legislature or by a petition signed by members of...
that was on the November 2, 2010 California statewide ballot
California state elections, November 2010
The California state elections, November 2010 were held on November 2, 2010.On a year marked by a strong Republican wave nationwide, the State of California elected Democrats to the state's top offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State Controller, State Treasurer, Superintendent of Public...
It was defeated by California voters during the statewide election by a 23% margin.. If passed, it would have suspended AB 32
Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006
The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, or Assembly Bill 32, is a California State Law that fights climate change by establishing a comprehensive program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from all sources throughout the state...
, a law enacted in 2006 that is in extenso, legally referred to as the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. Sponsors of the initiative referred to their measure as the California Jobs Initiative while opponents called it the Dirty Energy Prop.
The goal of the proposition was to freeze the provisions of AB 32 until California's unemployment rate drops to 5.5% or below for four consecutive quarters. As the current rate is 12.4%, this wording was seen by Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
and others as a wording trick to delay the environmental regulations indefinitely. AB 32 requires that greenhouse emission levels in the state be cut to 1990 levels by 2020, in a gradual process of cutting that is slated to begin in 2012. Reducing greenhouse emission levels to 1990 levels will involve cutting them by about 15% from 2010 levels.
AB 32 includes a provision allowing the Governor of California
Governor of California
The Governor of California is the chief executive of the California state government, whose responsibilities include making annual State of the State addresses to the California State Legislature, submitting the budget, and ensuring that state laws are enforced...
to suspend the provisions of AB 32 if there are "extraordinary circumstances" in place, such as "significant economic harm". The supporters of Prop 23, Assemblyman Dan Logue and Ted Costa, decided to circulate a petition to accomplish a suspension of the environmental regulations. Governor Schwarzenegger, as well as the major party candidates for Governor, Jerry Brown
Jerry Brown
Edmund Gerald "Jerry" Brown, Jr. is an American politician. Brown served as the 34th Governor of California , and is currently serving as the 39th California Governor...
, and Meg Whitman
Meg Whitman
Margaret Cushing "Meg" Whitman is an American business executive. She is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Hewlett-Packard. A native of Long Island, New York, she is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Business School...
, have all stated they will vote "no" on Prop 23. Brown however favors "adjustments" to AB 32, while Whitman would immediately suspend AB 32.
Louise Bedsworth, a research fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California
Public Policy Institute of California
Public Policy Institute of California is an independent, nonpartisan, non-profit research institution. Based in San Francisco, California, the institute was established in 1994 with a $70 million endowment from William Reddington Hewlett...
, predicted in April that total campaign spending on this proposition would top the $154 million record set in 2006 by Proposition 87
California Proposition 87 (2006)
California Proposition 87 was a proposition on the ballot for California voters for the November 7, 2006 general election, officially titled Alternative Energy. Research, Production, Incentives...
.
If campaign spending on the proposition does reach that level, it could be because supporters and opponents view the battle over the suspension of AB 32 as symbolic in the larger national debate over global warming. Steven Maviglio, speaking for a group that wants to keep AB 32 intact, said, "...this could be a ground zero for the battle for the future of clean energy."
Details
09-0094 was cleared for circulation on February 3, 2010. 09-0104 and 09-0105 were cleared for circulation on February 7.- The ballot title given to all three measures is identical.
- The estimated fiscal impact for all three measures is identical.
- The summary is slightly different. 09-0094 and 09-0104 both set 5.5% as the level of unemployment beneath which California's unemployment level must drop for four quarters before AB 32 could be re-instated, while 09-0105 sets 4.8% as that unemployment level.
Old Ballot Label: "Suspends air pollution control laws requiring major polluters to report and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, until unemployment rate drops to 5.5 percent or less for full year."
- After a California Appeals Judge ruling on 03-AUG-10
Official Ballot Label:
"Suspends implementation of air pollution control law (AB 32) requiring major sources of emissions to report and reduce greenhouse emissions that cause global warming, until unemployment drops to 5.5 percent or less for full year.
Official summary:
- Suspends State law that requires greenhouse gas emissions be reduced to 1990 levels by 2020, until California’s unemployment drops to 5.5 percent or less for four consecutive quarters.
- Suspends comprehensive greenhouse-gas-reduction program that includes increased renewable energy and cleaner fuel requirements, and mandatory emissions reporting and fee requirements for major emissions sources such as power plants and oil refineries.
Estimated fiscal impact:
- The suspension of AB 32 could result in a modest net increase in overall economic activity in the state. In this event, there would be an unknown but potentially significant net increase in state and local government revenues.
- Potential loss of a new source of state revenues from the auctioning of emission allowances by state government to certain businesses that would pay for these allowances, by suspending the future implementation of cap-and-trade regulations.
- Lower energy costs for state and local governments than otherwise.
Individuals
- Assemblyman Dan Logue is a key sponsor Logue says of the proposed initiative, ""This has been the blind leading the blind, political correctness that has collapsed the economy in California. California already has the fifth-cleanest air in the country, so why are we doing this when no one else is?"
- U.S. Congressman Tom McClintockTom McClintockThomas Miller McClintock II is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2009. He is a member of the Republican Party. He is a former Assemblyman and state Senator...
- Former Gubernatorial candidate Steve PoiznerSteve PoiznerStephen Leo "Steve" Poizner is an American businessman/entrepreneur and conservative Republican politician, who was elected State Insurance Commissioner of California in November 2006, and concluded the 4 year term in January 2011...
- Jim Kellogg, Secretary and Treasurer of the State Building & Construction Trades Council. He says, "I don't doubt that there will be more green jobs in California, perhaps even thousands of them; however, we don't want to put at risk the millions of well-paying, blue-collar jobs that put bread on the table right now. We need to make sure we do our homework, ask the tough questions and make adjustments as necessary to implement AB 32 in a way that reduces greenhouse gases without hurting millions of families in this state."
Large corporations
- Valero, employer of 1,600 employees and operator of two oil refineries in California, headquartered in San Antonio, TexasSan Antonio, TexasSan Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
- TesoroTesoroTesoro Corporation is a Fortune 100 and a Fortune Global 500 company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, with 2008 annual revenues of $28.3 billion, and approximately 5,600 employees....
, winner of several Legacy awards for its environmental record and the 24th-largest corporate producer of air pollution in the United States, headquartered in San Antonio, TexasSan Antonio, TexasSan Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,... - Koch IndustriesKoch IndustriesKoch Industries, Inc. , is an American private energy conglomerate based in Wichita, Kansas, with subsidiaries involved in manufacturing, trading and investments. Koch also owns Invista, Georgia-Pacific, Flint Hills Resources, Koch Pipeline, Koch Fertilizer, Koch Minerals and Matador Cattle Company...
, the largest private U.S. chemical company with more than 1,000 employees in California, and considerable holdings in oilPetroleumPetroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
, headquartered in Witchita, Kansas. Also one of the top 10 corporate pollutersKoch IndustriesKoch Industries, Inc. , is an American private energy conglomerate based in Wichita, Kansas, with subsidiaries involved in manufacturing, trading and investments. Koch also owns Invista, Georgia-Pacific, Flint Hills Resources, Koch Pipeline, Koch Fertilizer, Koch Minerals and Matador Cattle Company...
in the US.
Trade organizations
- Black Business Association
- California Manufacturers & Technology Association, a spokesperson said that if AB 32 is implemented as planned, it would be the "death knell for scores of manufacturing jobs."
No longer support
- Ted Costa of People's Advocate, an initial sponsor, withdrew his active support in March 2010, saying, "Big money interests have come in and shut out the people," referring to his grassroots signature gathering operation. Assemblyman Dan Logue pointed out that People's Advocate was never hired to gather signatures and that Costa is just upset that he didn't get the contract.
Donors
The Sacramento Bee reported on March 4 that two Texas-based oil companies, Valero Energy Corporation and Tesoro Corporation, provided the campaign with initial funding to launch its petition drive to qualify for the November 2 ballot.According to Cal-Access, as of October 1, donations totalling just under $10 million had been made to the "California Jobs Initiative Committee":
| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Valero | $4,050,000 |
| Tesoro Tesoro Tesoro Corporation is a Fortune 100 and a Fortune Global 500 company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, with 2008 annual revenues of $28.3 billion, and approximately 5,600 employees.... |
$1,525,000 |
| Flint Hills Resources LP (subsidiary of Koch Industries Koch Industries Koch Industries, Inc. , is an American private energy conglomerate based in Wichita, Kansas, with subsidiaries involved in manufacturing, trading and investments. Koch also owns Invista, Georgia-Pacific, Flint Hills Resources, Koch Pipeline, Koch Fertilizer, Koch Minerals and Matador Cattle Company... ) |
$1,000,000 |
| Adam Smith Foundation Adam Smith Foundation This article concerns the Adam Smith Foundation based in the state of Missouri in the United States, as opposed to the Adam Smith Foundation based at the University of Glasgow in Scotland.... |
$498,000 |
| Occidental Petroleum Occidental Petroleum Occidental Petroleum Corporation is a California-based oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in the United States, the Middle East, North Africa, and South America... |
$300,000 |
| National Petrochemical and Refiners Association National Petrochemical and Refiners Association The National Petrochemical and Refiners Association includes refiners and petrochemical producers and conducts its main meetings every year in San Antonio, Texas... |
$100,000 |
| Tower Energy Group gasoline retailer | $200,000 |
| World Oil Corp | $100,000 |
| Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association is a political organization that helped sponsor Proposition 13 in California in 1978.It was founded by California Republican Howard Jarvis. The organization has outlived its founder, and continues to operate to the present day under the same name, opposing all... |
$100,000 |
| Southern Counties Oil (Total Energy Products) | $50,000 |
| California Trucking Association | $50,000 |
| Frontier Oil Frontier Oil Frontier Oil , begun in 1949 as Wainoco Oil, is a U.S. energy company. Its headquarters are located in Houston, TX, and its subsidiary company, Frontier Refining & Marketing, Inc., is located in Denver, CO... |
$50,000 |
| Murray Energy Robert E. Murray Robert E. Murray is an American CEO of Murray Energy Corporation, a mining corporation based in Pepper Pike, Ohio, near Cleveland. He is one of the largest independent operators of coal mines in the United States.-Personal details:... |
$30,000 |
| Berry Petrochemical | $25,000 |
| Boyett Petroleum (Stan Boylett & Son) | $25,000 |
| California State Pipes Trade Association | $25,000 |
| Caminol Management | $25,000 |
| Holly Corporation Holly Corporation The HollyFrontier Corporation is a Fortune 500 company based in Dallas, Texas. HollyFrontier is a petroleum refiner and distributor of petroleum products, from gasoline to petroleum-based lubricants and waxes. Its CEO is Matthew P. Clifton... |
$25,000 |
| Robinson Oil | $25,000 |
According to the LA Times, the Adam Smith Foundation
Adam Smith Foundation
This article concerns the Adam Smith Foundation based in the state of Missouri in the United States, as opposed to the Adam Smith Foundation based at the University of Glasgow in Scotland....
is a non-profit based in Jefferson city
Jefferson City, Missouri
Jefferson City is the capital of the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Cole County. Located in Callaway and Cole counties, it is the principal city of the Jefferson City metropolitan area, which encompasses the entirety of both counties. As of the 2010 census, the population was 43,079...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
. Its mission statement says, "The Adam Smith Foundation was created to defend judicial reform, government accountability, education reform, tax and spending reform and protecting private property."
Consultants
Goddard Clausen Strategic Advocacy has been retained as a campaign consultant. Spokesman Jennifer Dudikoff of Goddard Clausen said in early March, "Right now, we're not commenting on funders. We expect support from a very broad group of individuals, companies and associations who are currently concerned with keeping and creating jobs in California."Goddard Clausen's leadership role in the effort was a factor leading to Ted Costa's decision to step away from the campaign. He said, "They're a bunch of greedy consultants feeding off the trough" and objected to how much money he predicts Goddard Clausen will spend to get the signatures to qualify the measure for the ballot, versus how much money he would have spent, if he had been hired to collect those signatures: "I said I could qualify this initiative for $1.2 million. They'll probably spend $3 million, and all that money will go to consultants."
Dan Logue opined that Costa's position was a case of sour grapes: "Ted basically didn't get the contract to do the signatures, so he's mad."
Opposition
A group called "Californians for Clean Energy and Jobs" has formed to oppose the measure. George Shultz, who served as secretary of state during the Reagan administration, is the honorary co-chairman of the group. He said in early May, "While some companies in California have said they’re worried about the cost of the planned greenhouse gas limits, the new regulations will boost the state’s economy by creating 'clean-tech jobs'".Democratic consultant Steve Maviglio works for "Californians for Clean Energy and Jobs". He says, "This measure is a polluter’s dream and will kill a clean energy economy for California."
Politicians
- Barbara BoxerBarbara BoxerBarbara Levy Boxer is the junior United States Senator from California . A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives ....
, California - Jerry BrownJerry BrownEdmund Gerald "Jerry" Brown, Jr. is an American politician. Brown served as the 34th Governor of California , and is currently serving as the 39th California Governor...
, Democratic candidate for Governor - Dianne FeinsteinDianne FeinsteinDianne Goldman Berman Feinstein is the senior U.S. Senator from California. A member of the Democratic Party, she has served in the Senate since 1992. She also served as 38th Mayor of San Francisco from 1978 to 1988....
, California - Meg WhitmanMeg WhitmanMargaret Cushing "Meg" Whitman is an American business executive. She is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Hewlett-Packard. A native of Long Island, New York, she is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Business School...
, Republican candidate for Governor - Arnold SchwarzeneggerArnold SchwarzeneggerArnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
is staunchly opposed to the proposition. Schwarzenegger says that AB 32 will create green jobs in the state.
Consumer organizations
- AARPAARPAARP, formerly the American Association of Retired Persons, is the United States-based non-governmental organization and interest group, founded in 1958 by Ethel Percy Andrus, PhD, a retired educator from California, and based in Washington, D.C. According to its mission statement, it is "a...
- Consumer ActionConsumer ActionConsumer Action is a nonprofit, consumer education and advocacy center, serving consumers in the United States. Founded in 1971, the mission of Consumer Action is to help individual consumers assert their rights in the marketplace and to advance pro-consumer industry-wide change for the benefit of...
- Consumers UnionConsumers UnionConsumers Union is a non-profit organization best known as the publisher of Consumer Reports, based in the United States. Its mission is to "test products, inform the public, and protect consumers."...
- Consumer Federation of CaliforniaConsumer Federation of CaliforniaThe Consumer Federation of California was founded in 1960 as a non-profit consumer advocacy organization. CFC campaigns for state and federal laws and appears at the California State Legislature in support of consumer focused regulations...
Environmental organizations
- Clean Water ActionClean Water ActionClean Water Action, an organization of 1 million members, organizes grassroots groups and coalitions to protect America's waters, build healthy communities and support environmental legislation and political candidates. Created in 1972, Clean Water Action focuses on canvassing and gaining support...
- Friends of the EarthFriends of the EarthFriends of the Earth International is an international network of environmental organizations in 76 countries.FOEI is assisted by a small secretariat which provides support for the network and its agreed major campaigns...
- League of Conservation VotersLeague of Conservation VotersThe League of Conservation Voters is a political advocacy organization founded in 1969 by American environmentalist David Brower in the early years of the environmental movement. LCV's mission is to "advocate for sound environmental policies and to elect pro-environmental candidates who will adopt...
- National Audubon SocietyNational Audubon SocietyThe National Audubon Society is an American non-profit environmental organization dedicated to conservation. Incorporated in 1905, Audubon is one of the oldest of such organizations in the world and uses science, education and grassroots advocacy to advance its conservation mission...
- National Wildlife FederationNational Wildlife FederationThe National Wildlife Federation is the United States' largest private, nonprofit conservation education and advocacy organization, with over four million members and supporters, and 48 state and territorial affiliated organizations...
, based in Reston, VirginiaReston, VirginiaReston is a census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The population was 58,404, at the 2010 Census and 56,407 at the 2000 census... - Natural Resources Defense CouncilNatural Resources Defense CouncilThe Natural Resources Defense Council is a New York City-based, non-profit, non-partisan international environmental advocacy group, with offices in Washington DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Beijing...
, based in New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east... - The Nature ConservancyThe Nature ConservancyThe Nature Conservancy is a US charitable environmental organization that works to preserve the plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive....
- Sierra ClubSierra ClubThe Sierra Club is the oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. It was founded on May 28, 1892, in San Francisco, California, by the conservationist and preservationist John Muir, who became its first president...
Health organizations
- American Lung AssociationAmerican Lung AssociationThe American Lung Association is a voluntary health organization whose mission is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease.-History:...
, California - American Medical AssociationAmerican Medical AssociationThe American Medical Association , founded in 1847 and incorporated in 1897, is the largest association of medical doctors and medical students in the United States.-Scope and operations:...
, Los Angeles, Riverside - Blue Shield of CaliforniaBlue ShieldBlue Shield may refer to:*Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association*International Committee of the Blue Shield*Blue Shield , a Marvel Comics Superhero...
Large corporations
- eBayEBayeBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
- NikeNike, Inc.Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
- TechNetTechNetTechNet may refer to:* Technet , a fictional group in the Marvel Comics universe* TechNet , Singapore's first Internet access provider* TechNet , an American political lobbying organization...
- includes Apple, GoogleGoogleGoogle Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
, and Yahoo - Virgin AmericaVirgin AmericaVirgin America, Inc. is a United States-based low-cost airline that began service on August 8, 2007. The airline's stated aim is to provide low-fare, high-quality service for "long-haul point-to-point service between major metropolitan cities on the Eastern and West Coast seaboards." San Francisco...
- Warner Brothers
Trade and labor organizations
- California Conference of Carpenters
- California Labor Federation
- California Nurses Association
- Public Health Institute
- California Professional Firefighters
- California Teachers AssociationCalifornia Teachers AssociationThe California Teachers Association , initially established in 1863 as the California Educational Society, is by far the largest teachers' union in the state of California. It is considered by many to be the most powerful union in California...
- California Statewide Law Enforcement Association
- California Teamsters
- United SteelworkersUnited SteelworkersThe United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union is the largest industrial labor union in North America, with 705,000 members. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, U.S., the United Steelworkers represents workers in the United...
- Western States Council of Sheet Metal Workers
Donors
The No On 23 - Californians To Stop The Dirty Energy Proposition Committee has received $31,504,863. Donors of at least $1,000,000: http://www.electiontrack.com/lookup.php?committee=1324059| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Thomas Steyer Hedge Fund Manager, Farallon Capital Management |
$10,000,000 |
| Natural Resources Defense Council Natural Resources Defense Council The Natural Resources Defense Council is a New York City-based, non-profit, non-partisan international environmental advocacy group, with offices in Washington DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Beijing... |
$3,072,500 |
| National Wildlife Federation National Wildlife Federation The National Wildlife Federation is the United States' largest private, nonprofit conservation education and advocacy organization, with over four million members and supporters, and 48 state and territorial affiliated organizations... |
$3,000,000 |
| Ann Doerr, wife of John Doerr | $2,000,000 |
| L. John Doerr John Doerr L. John Doerr is an American venture capitalist at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers in Menlo Park, California, in Silicon Valley. In February 2009, Doerr was appointed as a member of the President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board to provide the president and his administration with advice and... , venture capitalist at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers |
$2,000,000 |
| Vinod Khosla Vinod Khosla Vinod Khosla is an Indian-born American venture capitalist and an influential personality in Silicon Valley.... , venture capitalist and co-founder of Sun Microsystems Sun Microsystems Sun Microsystems, Inc. was a company that sold :computers, computer components, :computer software, and :information technology services. Sun was founded on February 24, 1982... |
$1,037,267 |
| Robert J. Fisher Robert J. Fisher Robert J. Fisher has been a director of Gap Inc. since 1990; he was previously chairman of the board and interim chief executive officer. The son of Gap Inc. founders Donald Fisher and Doris F... |
$1,000,000 |
| James Cameron James Cameron James Francis Cameron is a Canadian-American film director, film producer, screenwriter, editor, environmentalist and inventor... |
$1,000,000 |
| Environmental Defense Action Fund | $1,000,000 |
| Gordon Moore Gordon Moore Gordon Earle Moore is the co-founder and Chairman Emeritus of Intel Corporation and the author of Moore's Law .-Life and career:... |
$1,000,000 |
No on 23 Publicity
On October 28 at 3pm PST, James CameronJames Cameron
James Francis Cameron is a Canadian-American film director, film producer, screenwriter, editor, environmentalist and inventor...
and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
unveiled a viral political commercial during a live webcast titled A Message from James Cameron: Vote NO on 23. The commercial was a collaborative effort between Mr Cameron and Mr Schwarzenegger and was directed by Australian director A.J. Carter.
A.J. Carter
A.J. Carter is an Australian film director, screenwriter and producer. In his recent emerging career as a film director, his debut narrative short film awarded him and his production company a total of 12 international film award nominations and 9 award wins including several 'Best Film and "Best...
The viral spot which runs for 1 minute 10 seconds, motioned for a 'No on 23' vote and received more than 50,000 web hits on YouTube alone in the 72 hours leading up to the ballot deadline.
Tactics
The Courage CampaignCourage Campaign
The Courage Campaign is a California-based human rights campaign and progressive advocacy organization with more than 700,000 followers, working on a variety of causes, including the repeal of Proposition 8, California budget reforms,, and ballot procedures...
and CREDO Action have called for a boycott of Valero and Beacon gas stations in order to punish Valero for providing financial sponsorship of the initiative. Michael Kieschnick, the president of CREDO Action, said, "What is particularly troubling is that anyone who buys gasoline from Valero is now helping to fund audacious attacks on California's air quality standards. Valero believes it will be cheaper to deceive California voters than to compete in the new energy economy." The communications director of the campaign, Anita Mangels responded, "We are not about stopping carbon reduction... We are about doing it in a responsible manner that won't destroy jobs and cost billions of dollars at the worst possible time."
Impact on gubernatorial election
Prop 23 is a factor in California's 2010 gubernatorial electionCalifornia gubernatorial election, 2010
The 2010 California gubernatorial election was held November 2, 2010 to elect the Governor of California. The primary elections were held on June 8, 2010. Because constitutional office holders in California are prohibited from serving more than two terms in the same office since 1990, incumbent...
. This is because the next Governor of California
Governor of California
The Governor of California is the chief executive of the California state government, whose responsibilities include making annual State of the State addresses to the California State Legislature, submitting the budget, and ensuring that state laws are enforced...
, by the terms of AB 32, has the power to suspend AB 32 regardless of whether the initiative passes.
- Meg WhitmanMeg WhitmanMargaret Cushing "Meg" Whitman is an American business executive. She is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Hewlett-Packard. A native of Long Island, New York, she is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Business School...
has said she will vote "No" on Prop 23 but may suspend AB 32 for a year to prevent job losses - Jerry BrownJerry BrownEdmund Gerald "Jerry" Brown, Jr. is an American politician. Brown served as the 34th Governor of California , and is currently serving as the 39th California Governor...
has also said he will vote "No" on Prop 23. He says he would support "adjusting" some features of AB 32 since neighboring states lack strict global warming regulations and regionally AB 32 sets up California at a competitive disadvantage. He generally supports AB 32 and would not suspend it.
About AB 32
The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 is an environmentalEnvironmentalism
Environmentalism is a broad philosophy, ideology and social movement regarding concerns for environmental conservation and improvement of the health of the environment, particularly as the measure for this health seeks to incorporate the concerns of non-human elements...
law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
that establishes a timetable to bring California into near-compliance with the provisions of the Kyoto Protocol
Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change , aimed at fighting global warming...
by capping state-created greenhouse gases by 2020, based on 1990 emissions.
Path to the ballot
433,971 valid signatures were required to qualify the measure for the November 2, 2010 ballot.The petition drive to qualify the measure for the ballot was launched the first week of March. Organizers turned in their qualifying signatures on Monday, May 3. In e-mails to the press on May 3, the campaign said that it had turned in over 800,000 signatures.
On November 25, 2009, the group People's Advocate filed a request with the Office of the California Attorney General
California Attorney General
The California Attorney General is the State Attorney General of California. The officer's duty is to ensure that "the laws of the state are uniformly and adequately enforced" The Attorney General carries out the responsibilities of the office through the California Department of Justice.The...
for an official ballot title
Ballot title
A ballot title is the official, short, summary of a ballot measure that appears on the ballot. The goal of a good ballot title is to be a neutral summary that accurately conveys to voters the gist of what the proposed new law says or would do...
on 09-0094. An official summary was accordingly provided on February 3, 2010. To qualify 09-0094 for the November 2, 2010 ballot, supporters had to provide qualifying signatures to California's 58 county election clerks no later than July 5.
On December 22, requests for ballot titles were filed on 09-0104 and 09-0105. These ballot titles were provided on February 7, with petition deadlines of July 19.
On July 29 the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association is a political organization that helped sponsor Proposition 13 in California in 1978.It was founded by California Republican Howard Jarvis. The organization has outlived its founder, and continues to operate to the present day under the same name, opposing all...
sued Attorney Jerry Brown claiming that the ballot description was deceptive.http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_15617802?nclick_check=1 Judge Timothy Frawley agreed that the wording was misleading and ordered Brown to change the wording.http://www.sacbee.com/2010/08/03/2933928/new-language-ordered-for-initiative.html
Result
Further reading
- Pavley predicts ballot measure will aim to overturn global warming law
- Update on initiative to suspend California's global warming bill
- On Climate: Congress Restarts, California Threatens
External links
- Suspend AB 32, official website of the California Jobs Initiative organization
- Letter to Attorney General requesting ballot title (09-0094)
- Letter from Thomas Hiltachk, attorney for Whitman campaign, to Attorney General requesting ballot title (09-0104)
- Letter to Attorney General requesting ballot title (09-0105)
- Implementation of AB 32 - Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, a report from the California Legislative Analyst's OfficeCalifornia Legislative Analyst's OfficeThe Legislative Analyst's Office , located in Sacramento, California, has been providing fiscal and policy advice to the California Legislature for more than 70 years. It is known for its fiscal and programmatic expertise and nonpartisan analysis of the state budget...
dated April 14, 2010
Supporters
Opponents
- Stop Dirty Energy Prop
- Campaign finance filings for Californians for Clean Energy and Jobs
- Business Case Against Prop 23
- Environmental Groups Confront Oil Industry Backed Law in Prop 23 - video report by Democracy Now!Democracy Now!Democracy Now! and its staff have received several journalism awards, including the Gracie Award from American Women in Radio & Television; the George Polk Award for its 1998 radio documentary Drilling and Killing: Chevron and Nigeria's Oil Dictatorship, on the Chevron Corporation and the deaths of...