Gov. Gavin Newsom endorsed Thursday San Diego’s controversial Measure D, which might raise the town’s ban on union-friendly challenge labor agreements — a uncommon step for the governor to tackle a municipal poll measure.
Newsom’s endorsement comes amid an aggressive marketing campaign the place each side have raised greater than $1 million that they’re spending totally on mail items.
The measure has additionally change into partisan, with the county Democratic Get together endorsing it and the county Republican Get together endorsing a “no” vote.
Your information to the 2022 elections
The newest information and evaluation of native elections, congressional races, poll measures and extra, plus every part else it’s good to know to vote.
Venture labor agreements are complete offers on main development initiatives that decide labor requirements and which sorts of staff can carry out which sorts of duties, sometimes giving choice to unionized staff.
Supporters say the measure is essential to serving to San Diego keep away from shedding state development funding, stressing that the town has obtained greater than $800 million in such cash in simply the final two fiscal years.
“Move Measure D to make sure San Diego continues to obtain your justifiable share of significant infrastructure funding,” Newsom mentioned in his endorsement. “Republicans are attempting to confuse San Diegans. Right here’s the reality: Measure D safeguards San Diego’s future. Vote for San Diego. Vote Sure on Measure D.”
Opponents stress that San Diego’s ban on challenge labor agreements, typically referred to as PLAs, hasn’t price the town any state funding because it took impact in 2012. That’s as a result of the voter-approved ban has a particular exemption for initiatives the place state funding can be in danger.
That carve-out has helped San Diego obtain state development funds regardless of two state legal guidelines — SB 922 and SB 829 — that make cities with legal guidelines prohibiting PLAs ineligible for discretionary state development funds.
Opponents additionally say the measure doesn’t do sufficient to assist Black folks, Asian People and ladies land high-paying development jobs.
Labor leaders spearheading the measure say they’re working arduous to make the native development business extra inclusive. Additionally they say anti-union contractors are dishonestly utilizing race to battle a measure that threatens income.
The racial considerations are based mostly on state information displaying Black folks make up 6.39 p.c of the county inhabitants however landed simply 3.33 p.c of labor union apprenticeship slots between 2007 and 2017.
