Vote 'No' on Proposition 37

This Press Democrat editorial comes out against Prop. 37, ameasure on the November ballot that overturns the 1997 Sinclair PaintCompany vs. State Board of Equalization decision by reclassifying feesused to "mitigate the societal or economic effects of an activity" as atax. This policy change would thus require a supermajority vote by thelegislature to pass state fees and two-thirds voter approval for localfees, a threshold that is often difficult to obtain. With tobacco, oiland liquor companies as the leading campaign contributors to Prop. 37,this measure is representative of business special interest groupsattempting to make it more difficult for state and local government toimpose fees based on the negative impacts of business activities, theeditorial states.