In the midst of a down economy and a continued multi-billion dollar state budget deficit, voters are turning to local governments to deliver real solutions and vital services.
In the June 8 gubernatorial primary election, California voters approved 44 of the 60 local revenue measures presented on ballots across the state. The June 8 election also saw the defeat of Proposition 16 – a measure that would have stymied local government electricity services.
Local revenue measures put forward in June included nine special tax measures presented by special districts across the state, six of which passed. This sixty-seven percent passage rate for special district revenue measures surpasses the fifty percent passage rate for such measures since 2001. A comprehensive list of election results can be found on the Secretary of State Website. Information on the local government revenue measures can be found in the report by CaliforniaCityFinance.com.
CaliforniaCityFinance.com has released an insightful report by Michael Coleman analyzing the election results of local revenue measures. Though some contests are still too close to call, voters demonstrated significant confidence in local governments to efficiently manage taxpayer dollars and effectively deliver fundamental services. 
Proposition 16 failed to pass on June 8, despite $46 million dollars in funding from Pacific Gas and Electric. CSDA took an oppose position on Proposition 16, which would have required a two-thirds voter approval before local governments provide electricity service to new customers or establish a community choice electricity program using public funds or bonds. With the rejection of Proposition 16, ratepayers will retain more options for electricity services, including the high-quality, affordable services that local governments continue to provide.