Election 2022: Chamber Provides Local Resources to Make Educated Decisions this Election Season

The November 8 general election is just weeks away, and ballots are already arriving in mailboxes in our community. The Santa Maria Valley Chamber knows that elections matter and that individual votes count – whether for candidates who will serve on councils and board, or for ballot measures which will become law.

This year’s election features both important local races and a number of the ballot measures that will have a significant impact on jobs and the state of the economy in our community and our state. The Santa Maria Valley Chamber has taken positions on two ballot propositions:

• Proposition 29: Requires on-site medical professional at kidney dialysis clinics. The Chamber opposes this proposition.

• Proposition 30: Increases income tax to fund incentives for electric vehicle purchases. The Chamber opposes this proposition.

You can find full details on these propositions and more insight into the Chamber’s position at http://santamaria. com/news/details/santa-maria-valley- chamber-board-issues-guidance-on-2022- ballot-propositions.

Additionally, the Chamber has put together a variety of resources to help individuals make educated decisions in the upcoming local elections. The Chamber held a candidate forum for those candidates running for City Council Districts 3 and 4 earlier this month. The public had the opportunity to talk with candidates in small group settings and have their questions answered.

For those who missed the candidate forum or are just looking to get more insight on the City Council candidates and their policy positions, the Chamber has also put together a local election guide which outlines each candidates positions on a variety of local issues including housing, homelessness and economic development. This information can be found at https:// santamaria.com/2022-city-councilelection. Additional election resources, including how to find your polling district, voting status, and ballor dropoff locations, is available at http://santamaria.com/2022- Election-Guide.

“Elections always matter,” said Glenn Morris, president and CEO of the Chamber. “This election, however, is particularly important as our community is preparing to make important decisions about how we will grow and develop over the next 20-30 years. Ensuring that members of the City Council understand the implications of those decisions on the community’s ability to deliver good jobs, good housing, and the quality of life we all want is critical.”

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber strives to be a catalyst, convener and champion for our local community. Advocating for our business community is one of the many ways we do that. Advocacy-related news from the chamber, including updates on legislation the chamber supports or opposes, is available at https://santamaria. com/news?q=&c=1. Information on the Chamber’s Public Policy positions can be found at https://santamaria.com/publicpolicy-framework.