The measure would require that certain fees be approved by a two-thirds vote of the legislature, and certain local fees by two-thirds of voters. In particular, the measure affects regulatory fees (imposed to address health and other concerns) and business tax assessments.

Support

Prop. 26 would “give voters more control to stop state and local politicians from imposing hidden taxes on California families by calling them fees,” says Susan Shafer, with the No on 25/Yes on 26 campaign. The measure would

• Force the legislature to cut spending and live within its means.
  
  
• Have no impact on user fees, such as driver’s licenses.

Supporters: Yes on 26/No on 25 (www.no25yes26.com), California Chamber of Commerce, California Grocers Association, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

Opposition

Prop. 26 would mean “a billion dollars in [budget] cuts...from schools or child care or other programs,” says Lenny Goldberg of the California Tax Reform Association. The measure would

• Make it almost impossible to enact regulatory fees on corporations—taxpayers would have to pay for the pollution and health effects of cigarettes, alcohol, and pesticides.
  
  
• Cut state and local government revenues by billions of dollars.

Opponents: No on 26 (www.stoppolluterprotection.com), California Federation of Teachers, California Teachers Association, California League of Women Voters, California Nurses Association.