Sample Newsletter Article
Proposition 72: Huge Detriment to California Business
$7 Billion Healthcare Tax Would Significantly Impact Economic Climate
California voters soon will have the opportunity to vote "No" on Proposition 72- a $7 billion healthcare tax on employers, charitable organizations, physicians, government agencies and schools. By requiring businesses to provide government-run health coverage to workers and their families, Proposition 72 would cost businesses alone an estimated $5.3 billion a year. This will force some employers to lay off workers, close down, or move out of state.
Sloppily drafted and rushed through the legislative process last year as Senate Bill 2 (Burton), Proposition 72 contains vague provisions that are certain to cause economic chaos. It will force businesses to pay at least 80 percent of the cost of healthcare benefits for employees who work just 100 hours per month after only three months on the job. Most appalling is an ambiguous provision in Proposition 72 that appears to base required coverage on the number of workers a business employs on a specific date, meaning that if a worker leaves after that date, an employer could still be required to pay for that former worker's coverage!
The Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) estimates that under Proposition 72, businesses with 200 or more employees will have to pay $6,803 per employee, per year to cover the employee and dependents. If a business employs 50-199 employees, the cost for each employee is estimated to be $2,482 per year. Employees will not have the option to decline this medical coverage, which ultimately would be controlled by politicians and bureaucrats.
To combat Proposition 72, a coalition co-chaired by the California Chamber of Commerce has come together to ensure that this costly measure is rejected. Californians Against Government Run Healthcare (CAGRH) comprises more than 1,000 members from an array of businesses, charitable organizations, and medical associations determined to get the message out to voters. In recent months, major efforts were made in speakers' training sessions with business owners to put a face on the campaign in the media. As November 2 draws closer, an advertising campaign will be launched to reinforce the message that Proposition 72 kills jobs.
It is critical that members of the [ORGANIZATION NAME] help CAGRH in its efforts. Business costs will increase dramatically if it is not stopped. Subsequently, [INDUSTRY BUSINESSES/ORGANIZATIONS] throughout California will be forced to cut back their workforces and scale back their business operations. Some [BUSINESSES/ORGANIZATIONS] may even opt to close.
November 2 is your opportunity to "Vote No on Prop 72," and stop this law from taking effect. Please help CAGRH fight for a positive California business climate. For more information contact (916) 443-3354 or visit www.noprop72.org.
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