Vote No on Proposition 24

Growing up, my mom had an expression – “Carl, you have two ears and one mouth. Use them proportionally.”

It was good advice for me, and i believe it is good advice for policy makers, especially in Sacramento.

With California’s unemployment rate at 12.5 percent, we lose more jobs to other states in the U.S. than we do to other countries.

Consider Intel corporation’s recent announcement – good news for America, but bad news for California:

• Intel will invest $6 to $8 billion in manufacturing to support future tech advancements in Arizona and Oregon.
• The investment supports the creation of 6,000 to 8,000 construction jobs, and 800 to 1,000 permanent high-tech jobs.

What do Arizona and Oregon have that we do not have? Bluntly, but accurately, a more positive business environment. While our voters are faced with initiatives like proposition 24 on the November ballot – which ironically would penalize employers who place jobs, equipment and facilities in California – Arizona and Oregon, and another 20 states with any semblance of high-tech companies, actually reward those employers.

State legislators, and California voters, take note. California can be competitive. But we have to vote down measures like prop 24, and support measures that create jobs and a strong economy.