Smart Voter
State of California November 3, 1998 General
Proposition 9
Electric Utilities. Assessments. Bonds.

Initiative Statute. Put on the Ballot by Petition Signatures.

2,064,623 / 26.5% Yes votes ...... 5,710,140 / 73.5% No votes

See Also: Measures

Infomation shown below: Summary | Fiscal Impact | Yes/No Meaning | Official Information | Arguments |
Summary Prepared by the State Attorney General:
  • Prohibits assessment of utility tax, bond payments or surcharges for payment of costs of nuclear power plants/related assets.
  • Limits authority of electric companies to recover costs for non-nuclear generation plants.
  • Prohibits issuance of rate reduction bonds and assessments on customers for payment of bond principal, interest, and related costs.
  • Provides judicial review of Public Utilities Commission decisions relating to electric restructuring and financing costs by writ of mandate.
  • May provide up to 20% electricity rate reduction for residential and small commercial customers of investor-owned utilities by January 1, 1999.
  • Restricts customer information dissemination.

Fiscal Impact from the Legislative Analyst:
  • State government net revenue reductions potentially in the high tens of millions of dollars annually through 2001-02.
  • Local government net revenue reductions potentially in the tens of millions of dollars annually through 2001-02.
  • State and local government savings in utility costs, potentially in the tens of millions of dollars annually through 2001-02.

Meaning of Voting Yes/No
A YES vote of this measure means:
There would be significant changes to recently enacted laws restructuring the state's electricity industry. Specifically, private utility companies (1) could not charge customers certain costs related to nuclear power plants, and (2) could not charge residential and small commercial customers for repaying bonds sold to help finance an existing 10 percent rate reduction. The measure also requires an additional rate reduction of at least 10 percent.

A NO vote of this measure means:
The laws that restructured the state's electricity industry would not be changed. Private utility companies would continue to charge customers for certain costs related to nuclear power plants, and would continue to charge residential and small commercial customers for repaying bonds that have been sold to help finance the existing 10 percent rate reduction.

Official Sources of Information
Arguments Submitted to the Secretary of State

Summary of Arguments FOR Proposition 9:
Proposition 9 cuts electric rates, reducing consumers' bills by hundreds of dollars each year. It stops the massive bailout of bad utility investments in nuclear power. It's time to send a message to Sacramento. We want fair rates and clean and reliable energy choices. Vote yes on Prop 9.

Full Text of Argument In Favor, Rebuttal

Summary of Arguments AGAINST Proposition 9:
Consumer, environmental, business, police, fire, taxpayer and school groups agree Proposition 9 can't deliver on its false promises. Proposition 9 would: jeopardize electric rates and reliability, hit taxpayers with liability for $6 billion in previously sold bonds, undermine school, police and fire budgets, and damage California's economy. Vote no.

Full Text of Argument Against, Rebuttal

Contact FOR Proposition 9:
Californians against
Utility Taxes (CUT)
1750 Ocean Park Bl.,
Suite 200
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 392-0522
http://www.nonukebailout.org

Contact AGAINST Proposition 9:
NO on 9 COMMITTEE
1201 K Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 341-1025
http://www.NOonProp9.org

  Nonpartisan Analysis

League of Women Voters

California Budget Project California Journal California Voter Foundation Campaign Finances

Cal. Voter Foundation

Informed Voter California Voter Foundation News and Analysis

Sacramento Bee

San Francisco Chronicle San Jose Mercury News Partisan Analysis

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Secretary of State

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Created: February 16, 1999 18:53
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