Measure for Measure: Proposition 6
Voting is an essential part of civic engagement, but it can be confusing, especially in local elections. There are tons of measures and candidates to consider in the upcoming election on November 6th. That’s why we’re doing this round-up of the statewide measures, to provide some insight into the 2018 ballot.
Check out our round-up page for more articles on the other measures.
What is Proposition 6?
California’s constitution currently requires a two-thirds supermajority in the state Senate and Assembly to pass taxes. Our legislature achieved this two-thirds threshold in passing the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (RRAA), colloquially known as “the gas tax.” The RRAA increased the tax on gas by 12 cents per gallon and created a transportation improvement fee paid by motorists annually. The bill was signed into law by Governor Brown last year and went into effect that November. The RRAA is estimated to raise $52.4 billion in the next 10 years.
Proposition 6 is a constitutional amendment that would repeal the Road Repair and Accountability Act (SB-1) and also make it more difficult to pass future fuel and vehicle tax increases.
Why does it matter?
California’s bridges and roads are aging and in need of improvements. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, half of our state’s roads are in poor condition and 1,388 of our bridges are considered to be structurally insufficient. It’s been 23 years since California last increased its gas tax, which is our primary source of funding for these types of infrastructure projects. It’s estimated that it will cost the state $130 billion to make the necessary repairs. Repealing the 2017 RRAA would eliminate the funds needed for these improvements and make it more difficult to pass tax increases in the future, leaving our roads and bridges to further deteriorate.
What are the arguments for Prop 6? Who’s funding the proposition?
The measure is backed by Yes on Prop 6: Repeal the Gas Tax, a ballot measure committee (BMC) that is primarily backed by the California Republican party. The BMC also received support from Kevin McCarthy, the Republican Congressman from Bakersfield and by John Cox, the Republican candidate for Governor.
Supporters of the measure argue that the 2017 gas tax increase hurt poor and working families by making their commutes more expensive. They say that the state has a $16 billion budget surplus in the general fund that could be used to make the infrastructure improvements we need. They have also called for the elimination of California’s high speed rail project, calling it wasteful, and propose that those funds instead be used to pay for necessary road and bridge repairs.
Many people have argued that Prop 6 was put on the ballot to increase Republican turnout, which would possibly prevent against the GOP losing US congressional seats.
What are the arguments against Prop 6? Who’s funding the opposition?
The measure is opposed by the ballot measure committee No on Prop 6: Stop the Attack on Bridge & Road Safety. Major funding for the BMC comes from the California Alliance for Jobs, which represents union construction workers and the Laborers Pacific Southwest Regional Organizing Coalition Issues PAC.
Opponents of the measure argue that the funds raised by the RRAA are desperately needed to make our roads and bridges safe and usable. Even if we were to allocate the aforementioned budget surplus towards infrastructure improvements, the cost of improvements necessary is more than eight times greater than what the budget surplus could fund. They also say that Prop 6 will eliminate thousands of middle income jobs in construction and skilled trades.
What is TechEquity’s position on Prop 6?
We say vote no on Prop 6. Transportation infrastructure supports our region’s economy and allows people to get to work. As the economy continues to boom, attracting new workers, more middle- and low-income residents are being pushed to the further fringes of the region. We need strong transit infrastructure to enable accessible commutes and a higher quality of life for the people working here.
Check our round-up page for more measure articles as we publish them!
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