L.A. Area Chamber Helps Usher in Historic Redistricting Reform in California

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce helped usher in historic redistricting reform in the State of California with the passage of Chamber-authored Proposition 11 (Voters FIRST Act). The initiative – the first true citizen-driven redistricting initiative in the nation – officially passed by nearly 200,000 votes as reported by Secretary of State Debra Bowen.

“The official passage of Prop. 11 is a major victory for the people of California,” said Gary Toebben, President & CEO, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce.  “Prop 11 is the first step in creating more competitive elections, holding politicians accountable and ending the partisan gridlock that has paralyzed Sacramento for far too long.”

Co-authored and supported by the L.A. Area Chamber, Prop 11. will create a 14-member independent citizen commission to redraw district lines – helping to end the inherent conflict of interest that empowers lawmakers to redraw their own district boundaries and choose their voters.  Following the appointment of the citizen commission through an open and transparent process, district lines will be redrawn in California in  2010.

“I applaud the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce for joining me and other reformers in supporting Prop 11 and helping to bring needed redistricting reform to the people of California,” said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.  “Together we have taken action to bring real change to our state government.”

Proposition 11 is supported by a broad and bipartisan coalition of nearly 2,000 consumer, senior, public interest, taxpayer, community and business groups statewide including: The League of Women Voters of California, AARP, California Common Cause, the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, California Chamber of Commerce, California Forward and the California Business Roundtable and is supported by nearly 1,500 individuals, opinion leaders and organizations including Governor Schwarzenegger, former Democratic State Controller Steve Westly, former Governor Gray Davis, the ACLU of Southern California,  Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Business – California, the California Black Chamber of Commerce, and local community and business groups throughout the state. 

For more information on Prop. 11 and the L.A. Area Chamber visit www.lachamber.com.

# # #

The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of business in L.A. County. Founded in 1888, the Chamber promotes a prosperous economy and quality of life in the Los Angeles region. For more information, visit www.lachamber.com.