Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee (BCCPAC) Endorsements
Meg Whitman – Governor
Carly Fiorina – U. S. Senate
Abel Maldonado – Lt. Governor
Steve Cooley – Attorney General
Damon Dunn – Secretary of State
Mimi Walters – Treasurer
Tony Strickland – Controller
Mike Villines – Insurance Commissioner
David Valadao – State Assembly, 30th District

The following endorsements were carried over from the primary election to the November general election:

Shannon Grove – State Assembly, 32nd District
Zack Scrivner – County Supervisor, 2nd District

Think "business" when voting on ballot propositions
In preparation for the upcoming November election, the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce has been hard at work researching and analyzing ballot propositions with potential impacts to businesses and making a recommendation to members and the general public. This month the Board of Directors took action on the following propositions.

Proposition 19 – The Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010
This initiative proposes to change state law to legalize the possession and cultivation of limited amounts of marijuana for personal use by individuals age 21 or older, and authorize various commercial marijuana-related activities under certain conditions.

The Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) recommends a NO vote on Proposition 19 for the following reasons. The initiative:
• Could jeopardize the ability of employers to compete for and/or maintain federal contracts and grants as a result of issues relative to the compliance of safe and drug-free workplace restrictions.
• Would impede the hiring and firing abilities of employers.
• Would increase litigation and the costs thereof as a result of employers having to present undue burden of proof to demonstrate an employee to be “actually impaired” from performing a job before taking any adverse action.

Proposition 20 – Redistricting of Congressional Districts
Proposition 20 would amend the state Constitution to change the redistricting process for California’s districts in the U. S. House of Representatives by removing the authority for congressional redistricting from the state legislature and instead giving this authority to the newly created Citizens Redistricting Commission.

The Bakersfield Chamber recommends a YES vote on Proposition 20 for the following reasons:
• Eliminates “gerrymandered” districts.
• May provide the public with representatives that reflect the community’s interests.
• Creates competitive districts and returns power to voters.

Proposition 21 – Vehicle License Surcharge to Fund State Parks and Wildlife Programs and Grants
This initiative places an $18 annual surcharge on all vehicles registered on or after January 1, 2011. Revenues would be deposited into a newly created State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund and used to fund state parks and wildlife programs. Vehicles subject to the surcharge would receive free vehicle admission parking and day-use at all units of the state parks system.

The Chamber recommends a NO vote on Proposition 21 for the following reasons:
• State cannot be trusted not to raid or borrow from the State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund.
• State Parks could be improved, maintained, and operated more efficiently through privatization or through public/private partnerships.
• There is no correlation between vehicles and parks. Passage would establish a dangerous precedent that could open the doors to taxation for other purposes through vehicle license fees.

Additional information will be added to this page if the Chamber takes positions on further ballot measures or endorses additional candidates.