SUPPORT Proposition 14

The Chamber urges your support of Proposition 14, the Top Two Candidates Open Primary Act. If passed, the Open Primary initiative will help reduce partisan stalemate by letting voters decide the best candidates no matter which party they prefer.

The intent of Proposition 14 is to encourage increased participation in elections for congressional, legislative, and statewide offices by reforming the procedure by which candidates are selected in primary elections. Voters will be allowed to choose any candidate regardless of the candidate’s or voter’s political party preference. Further the Proposition will require that the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes in the primary will appear on the general election ballot regardless of party preference. In local elections, candidates who win a majority of votes in a primary (50% + 1) are elected outright.

Partisanship has created continued political stalemate in California impeding progress throughout our State. The Hollywood Chamber believes that under this important reform initiative, voters will see a Legislature less polarized by party politics and more focused on achieving results.

SUPPORT Proposition 17

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has endorsed Proposition 17 on the June 2010 ballot. The initiative will allow auto insurance companies to offer a discount to drivers who maintain continuous coverage of their auto insurance, even if they switch insurance companies. Prop. 17 will lower auto insurance rates and increase competition in the auto insurance market. Many small business owners insure vehicles through their personal insurance policies and will benefit if this measure passes.

Under current law, insurance companies are allowed to offer a “continuous coverage” discount (also known as a “loyalty” discount) to their existing customers who purchase and maintain auto insurance as required by law. More than 80% of drivers in California currently follow the law and are eligible for this discount from their incumbent carrier.

But a loophole in the law penalizes those drivers because the “continuous coverage” discount isn’t portable. Drivers can’t take this discount with them if they want to shop around for better rates. Prop. 17 fixes this inconsistency and allows drivers to take this discount with them if they switch insurance companies. Prop. 17 will not only reward the more than 80% of drivers who maintain auto insurance, but it will also fuel competition and choice and lower prices in the auto insurance marketplace.