Nathan Ahle: Prop. 54 is “one common sense, straight forward proposition”

October 27, 2016– Fresno Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer Nathan Ahle, opined in today’s Fresno Bee in support of Prop. 54, a statewide initiative on the November 2016 ballot that will rein in the power of special interests and give voters a stronger voice in the State Legislature.

Below are excerpts from the op-ed: “CA voters will like this proposition, but special interests won’t”:

“Proposition 54 changes only a few words in the California Constitution, but will make far-reaching improvements to the way business is done at the Capitol. It will prevent legislators from making last-minute changes to proposed laws that no one – other than a few powerful special interests – has had an opportunity to read or provide input before heading to the governor’s desk.

Here in Fresno, we will soon feel the effects of hastily drafted last-minute changes, known as “gut and amends,” made to a handful of bills that were passed in the waning hours of the legislative session. These new laws will directly have a negative impact on some of our local small businesses as they struggle to comply with the new regulations imposed upon them. In fact, they may have no choice but to lay off workers.

While we’ll certainly work hard to encourage our state legislators to improve upon these new detrimental policies, it will no doubt be an uphill battle. However, voters have the power to stop these types of last-minute deals by voting “yes” on Prop 54.

…We will also be assured that all proposed laws will be available to legislators and the public for at least 72 hours so the voters can weigh in and legislators will know what they’re voting on.

…Here’s the bottom line: Our state legislators and the public need time to absorb proposed laws that could profoundly impact entire industries and communities. Enactment of Prop. 54 will help ensure public legislative meetings are conducted fairly and openly and it will enable the public to observe and share what is happening so we may all more fully participate in the political process.

For these reasons, I urge voters in Fresno and throughout California to approve Proposition 54.”

To learn more about Proposition 54 or to join the coalition, visit the website atwww.YesProp54.org.

# # #