South Orange County Regional Chamber Urges NO on Proposition 27
Measure would overturn voter-approved Citizen Redistricting Panels, turn process back over to Sacramento politicians
Laguna Hills, CA….The South Orange County Regional Chamber of Commerce announced today it is opposing Proposition 27, a measure Californian voters will consider in November that would strip citizens of an important voice in the legislative redistricting process.
In November 2008, voters approved Proposition 11, authorizing the establishment of a California Citizens Redistricting Commission to manage the statewide redistricting process that takes place every 10 years. If approved this November, Proposition 27 would overturn Proposition 11, returning the process – set to take place in 2011 – to the hands of the state legislature.
“Redistricting should be decided by the citizens,” explained Dennis O’Connor, member of the Chamber Governmental Affairs sub-committee that reviewed all statewide propositions. “The old system was mired in self-interest and gerrymandering in order to maintain safe seats for the majority party.”
O’Connor continued, “This system has not been good for business, it’s not been good for the voters of California and we shouldn’t go back. Vote no on Proposition 27.”
While the South Orange County Regional Chamber of Commerce does not endorse candidates, it does endorse for or against local and statewide measures that members feel will impact the region’s businesses. The Governmental Affairs Committee voted on the recommendations of the Proposition Sub-committee then submitted the entire slate of positions for approval by the Chamber’s Corporate Board of Directors. The Chamber will announce positions on all statewide propositions throughout the month of September.
A leading advocate for business in south Orange County, the South Orange County Regional Chamber of Commerce provides services for more than 600 member businesses of all sizes and industries throughout the region.
