For Immediate Release
October 13, 2008

For more information, contact Ingrid Nurse Foster:
(o) 916-321-9145; (c) 916-320-8940 or ifoster@metrochamber.org


METRO PAC ANNOUNCES ENDORSEMENTS IN SIX COUNTY REGION
Candidate and Ballot positions are pro-jobs and business for the region

SACRAMENTO—The Sacramento Metro PAC is proud to announce its endorsement of the following candidates and ballot measures for the November 4, 2008 election. Voters are urged to join Metro PAC in protecting jobs and the economy by electing these pro-business individuals and ballot measures that protect and enhance the regional economy. These selections represent the clear choice in each race for job protection and business enhancement in our challenging economic times.

Through Metro PAC, the Metro Chamber invests in a political strategy that helps elect candidates who are business-friendly and have a vision for regional prosperity. Over the last few months, Metro PAC, a committee of volunteer business leaders, has done nearly one hundred interviews of local, regional and federal candidates and spent hours debating and digesting the impact of proposed legislation.

The following candidates and propositions are Metro PAC endorsed:

CANDIDATES

Federal
Mike Thompson: Congressional District 1
Dan Lungren: Congressional District 3
Tom McClintock: Congressional District 4
Doris Matsui: Congressional District 5

State
Dave Cox: State Senate District 2
Greg Aghazarian: State Senate District 5
Dan Logue: State Assembly District 3
Ted Gaines: State Assembly District 4
Roger Niello: State Assembly District 5
Jack Sieglock: State Assembly District 10

City of Sacramento
Kevin Johnson: Mayor of Sacramento

Sacramento County
Jeff Starsky: Folsom City Council
Rosemary Younts: Folsom City Council
Barbara Payne: Galt City Council
Randy Shelton: Galt City Council
Jeff Slowey: Citrus Heights City Council
David Sander: Rancho Cordova City Council
Mike Leary: Elk Grove City Council – District 3
Sophia Scherman: Elk Grove City Council – District 5
William Lugg, Jr.: Elk Grove Unified School District – Area 1
Terry Cochran: Los Rios Community College District – Area 3
Katherine Albiani: Los Rios Community College District – Area 7
Donald Terry: Sacramento City Unified School District – Area 3
Toni Colley-Perry: Sacramento City Unified School District – Area 5
Patrick Kennedy: Sacramento City Unified School District – Area 7
Conrad Mayer: Folsom Cordova Unified School District
Teresa Stanley: Folsom Cordova Unified School District
Renee Taylor: SMUD Board of Directors – Ward 1
Mark Bahouth: SMUD Board of Directors – Ward 2
Rob Kerth: SMUD Board of Directors – Ward 5
Jimmie Johnson: Cosumnes Community Services District
Gil Albiani Cosumnes Community Services District
Michelle Orrock Cosumnes Community Services District
Lance Christensen San Juan Unified School District
Lucinda Luttgen San Juan Unified School District

Yolo County
Christopher Cabaldon: Mayor, City of West Sacramento

Placer County
Bruce Kranz: Placer County Supervisor – District 5
Spencer Short: Lincoln City Council
Tom Cosgrove: Lincoln City Council
Brett Storey: Rocklin City Council
John Allard: Roseville City Council
Carol Garcia: Roseville City Council

El Dorado County
Harry Norris: Supervisor – District 1
Ray Nutting: Supervisor – District 2
Mark Acuna: Placerville City Council
David Machado: Placerville City Council
Ted Long: South Lake Tahoe City Council
Alan Clarke: Cameron Park Community Services District

Sutter County
Larry Montna: Supervisor – District 1
John Miller: Yuba City, City Council

BALLOT POSITIONS

Proposition 1A: Safe High-Speed Rail Train Bond Act
METRO CHAMBER Position: Support
Reason for Support: The Sacramento Metro Chamber supports Proposition 1A because it will inject new vitality into California’s economy by creating nearly 160,000 construction-related jobs, 450,000 permanent jobs and relocation of the High Speed Rail (HSR) businesses headquarters to the Sacramento Region. If passed, it will bring Californians a safe, convenient, affordable and reliable alternative to rising gasoline prices, freeway congestion and will help reduce California’s dependence on foreign oil.

Proposition 5: Nonviolent Offenders. Sentencing Parole and Rehabilitation.
METRO CHAMBER Position: Oppose
Reason for Opposition: As a matter of public safety, the Metro Chamber is just one in a broad coalition opposed to this measure. Prop 5 contains implications that will have an adverse effect on the business community, as it weakens employers’ rights when dealing with an employee who is convicted of using drugs and other non-violent offences. This measure also establishes two new bureaucracies with virtually no accountability which will cost hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars. This measure would reduce penalties for crimes against business, including property and white collar crimes, and would limit the ability of judges to hold parole violators accountable.

Proposition 7: Renewable Energy
METRO CHAMBER Position: Oppose
Reason for Opposition: Proposition 7 has an unprecedented, large coalition of opposition. If Prop 7 were to pass, it has the potential to halt renewable energy development in California and result in significant increases in our electric bills. In addition, this measure would force small wind and solar companies out of the market.

Proposition 11: Redistricting
METRO CHAMBER Position: Support
Reason for Support: The California State Legislature has been stuck in partisan gridlock for too long. Proposition 11 is needed to enact political reform. This measure would encourage more competitive elections and would increase the accountability of our elected officials.

Measure M: Los Rios Community College District
METRO CHAMBER Position: Support
Reason for Support: In the last four years, enrollment at our Regional Community Colleges has increased by 25%. Without additional resources for construction and modernization, our community colleges will not be able to accommodate the growing demand. By investing in our community colleges, we are investing in workforce development for the Sacramento Region.

Measure R: Placer County
METRO CHAMBER Position: Support
Reason for Support: The Metro Chamber supports this measure because it seeks to increase the compensation of the Placer County Board of Supervisors from $30,000 to $48,000. Serving as a County Supervisor is an important and time consuming job and we believe that the Supervisors should be fairly compensated. While the Metro Chamber believes that there is still room for improvement, this measure is a step in the right direction and may encourage more qualified people to run for office.

Measure U and V: City of West Sacramento
METRO CHAMBER Position: Support
Reason for Support: The Metro Chamber supports these measures because flood protection is vital to the safety and prosperity of the Sacramento region. The second beneficiary of this sales tax extension would be the proposed Riverfront Streetcar. The Streetcar is a transportation project that would connect Sacramento to West Sacramento and would serve as an economic benefit to both sides of the river. This type of project will help maximize the riverfront’s potential to create a thriving epicenter for the entire Region.

Local Education Measures

METRO CHAMBER Position: Support
Reason for Support: The Sacramento Metro Chamber supports the following local, education-based bond measures. The following local measures provide funding to benefit and invest in local school infrastructure and the future education of students throughout our Region. None of these measures seek to change school curriculum or set specific curriculum limitations or education policies, therefore, the Metro Chamber supports the following education-based, local measures:

Measure N: Center Unified School District Bond Measure
Measure Q: Colfax Elementary School District Bond Measure
Measure T: Alta-Dutch Flat Union School District Bond Measure
Measure U: Tahoe Truckee Unified School District Bond Measure
Measure W: Davis Joint Unified School District Bond Measure