September 17, 2010 – The Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network board of directors voted today to support Proposition 22 and oppose Proposition 23 on the state ballot in November. The board, comprised of regional leaders in government, business, education, labor and other community organizations, took positions on both measures at its quarterly meeting.
Proposition 22, the Local Taxpayer, Public Safety, and Transportation Protection Act, prohibits the state from taking funds local used for transportation or government projects and services. Proposition 23 suspends the provisions of Assembly Bill 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act, until California’s unemployment rate drops to 5.5 percent or less for four consecutive quarters.
Joint Venture, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that convenes regional leaders and governments to face Silicon Valley’s challenges and to improve the economy and quality of life in the region, rarely takes positions on ballot measures, but believes these two propositions warrant such action.
“In our board’s view, Proposition 22 is fully consistent with the sweeping state reforms we have advocated at Joint Venture, earlier by creating the group California Forward, and more recently by advocating a state constitutional convention,” said Joint Venture CEO Russell Hancock.
“Opposing Proposition 23,” Hancock noted, “is a decision Joint Venture made long ago, when it created the Climate Prosperity Council. The council’s premise is that the climate crisis is an economic opportunity, holding the promise of new waves of innovation that create jobs and long-term prosperity.”
