Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Announces Support for Proposition 16 Facilitating Economic Growth

by L.A. Area Chamber

For immediate release
Contact: Shannon Smith at (213) 580-7532

 

Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce Announces Support for Proposition 16 Facilitating Economic Growth

Proposition 16 will help level the playing field for all Californians in public employment, education and government contracting

 

Los Angeles, CA - July 30, 2020 – The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce strongly supports the passage of Proposition 16, on the November 2020 election ballot, which would repeal Proposition 209. Proposition 209 was supposed to prohibit the state from discriminating against, or granting preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education, or public contracting. Following its passage, the effect on contracting, education and employment has been devastating.  

California has become one of only eight states that do not allow race or gender to be among the many factors considered in hiring, allotting state contracts or accepting students into the state’s public colleges and universities. The bill enabled barriers to women and minority owned businesses by limiting access to California contracting opportunities. Also, the percentage of enrolled minority and disadvantaged students dropped drastically in the UC and CSU systems, further exacerbating the inequities of the past quarter century. For example, Latinos account for less than 25% of the student population in the UC/CSU system, while the Latino population in California is reaching close to 40 percent.

Although it was sold as a civil rights law when it passed, Proposition 209 has actually cost women and minority-owned businesses $1.1 billion each year, perpetuated a wage gap wherein women make 80 cents for every dollar made by men, and allowed discriminatory hiring and contracting practices to continue unhindered. 

“California’s economy is the largest in the nation, boasting a $3.2 trillion gross state product (GSP) making it the fifth largest economy in the world yet many Californians have not been able to share in that prosperity,” said Maria S. Salinas, President & CEO, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. “We have the ability to change the economic disparities that many Californians experience, but we must act. Proposition 16 is one way we can remove barriers that are creating disparities for women, minority students and minority owned businesses. Proposition 16 will help expand educational and economic opportunity for all and increase local community investment.”

Many community and business leaders agree that overturning California's ban on programs that promote equal opportunity is long overdue. The growing concerns about the economic harm of the current pandemic only heighten the importance of bringing fairness to our public contracting and employment practices. There's no denying many small businesses owned by women and people of color will be the hardest hit by any downturn in the economy. Proposition 16 will ensure that any government solution to spur economic growth will help the most vulnerable in our community.

“If passed by voters, California will join 42 other states in overcoming historical barriers to hiring, by allowing race or gender to be considered in allotting state contracts or accepting students into the state’s public colleges and universities,” Ms. Salinas continued. “You can't have shared success without shared opportunity. Our goal is to put California as well as the Los Angeles region on a path toward true equal opportunity and access for all.” 

“As an early co-author of ACA 5, which put Proposition 16 on the ballot, I’m thrilled to hear of the L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce’s endorsement of this measure,” said Assemblymember Miguel Santiago. “Women and minority-owned small businesses in California face systemic inequities due to Proposition 209. Proposition 16 would remove structural barriers facing these communities, in turn opening more doors for them to pursue business ventures and diversifying our economy.”  

Proposition 16 enjoys broad support across the state. The bill was co-authored by the entire California Legislative Black Caucus and is endorsed by the California Legislative Women’s Caucus, the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, the California Legislative Asian & Pacific Islander Caucus as well as over 300 business, civil rights, education and labor organizations, including Equal Justice Society, Equality California, California Black Chamber of Commerce, Chinese for Affirmative Action and scores of faith-based organizations. 

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About Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce

The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of business in the Los Angeles region. The Chamber’s mission is to design and advance opportunities and solutions for a thriving regional economy that is inclusive and globally competitive. Founded in 1888, the Chamber is the oldest and largest business association in the region. Its member companies work together to promote a prosperous economy and quality of life in the Los Angeles region.

For more information, visit www.lachamber.com