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California voted on 14 propositions in 2026, from the billionaire tax to housing, plus local measures across Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Find out what passed, what failed, and why, and what it means for your business and your community. Why would voters keep a tax on high incomes while turning down one on billionaires' wealth? What happens to the fight between health care and schools as California gets older? Why did Santa Maria and Carpinteria vote to raise their sales tax while Oxnard is saying no? Why did voters pay for housing but turn down the rule change that would have sped up building? And where is the next tax fight in Sacramento likely to land for businesses? See it differently, or have an idea we missed? Tell us in the comments on YouTube or Spotify. If your organization needs help with policy and public affairs, email [email protected]. With Sean Bhardwaj (Breakthrough Growth Partners), who reads every policy the way a business owner would, and James Joyce (Common Ground Policy and Public Affairs), a journalist who has worked inside government for more than a decade. Sean on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanbhardwaj James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-joyce-iii-00157239/ Groundwork is a podcast from Common Ground Policy and Public Affairs. Chapters 00:00:00 Intro 00:02:36 Taxing the Wealthy 00:10:12 Healthcare vs. Education 00:15:25 Voters Favor Local Taxes 00:19:30 Broad Housing Support, but With Rules 00:24:27 Rules of the Political Game 00:28:07 What It Adds Up To

Most of the attention goes to things happening in Washington, but a business lives under what its city council, county, and state legislators decide, and local government is where it can most easily be heard. Find out why every business, not only the ones with a government affairs team, should engage with local policy, and whether it makes a difference. What would you ask for if a state senator's office asked how it could help? If rules slow a business down, why have them at all? When everyone draws from the same groundwater, how do you enforce the rules fairly and still respect property rights? What do elected officials actually need from businesses to get policy right? And how did changing one rule to allow four extra inches on a bus help grow ridership? See it differently, or have an idea we missed? Tell us in the comments on YouTube or Spotify. If your organization needs help with policy and public affairs, email [email protected]. With Sean Bhardwaj (Breakthrough Growth Partners), who reads every policy the way a business owner would, and James Joyce (Common Ground Policy and Public Affairs), a journalist who has worked inside government for more than a decade. Sean on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanbhardwaj James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-joyce-iii-00157239/ Groundwork is a podcast from Common Ground Policy and Public Affairs. Chapters 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:36 How We Met 00:04:43 What to Ask Politicians For 00:09:28 Are Rules Good for Business? 00:14:52 Property Rights vs. Shared Resources 00:20:13 Why Engage If You're Not a Big Company? 00:24:00 All Politics Is Local 00:26:32 How Do You Get Heard? 00:28:49 Local News and Our Shared Reality 00:31:33 What Government Needs From Business 00:34:08 Case Study: Ventura's Main Street 00:36:53 A Small Rule Change That Worked 00:39:40 Why We Started Groundwork 00:43:13 How to Get Involved

We take all 14 local measures on your 2026 ballot in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties by how you'd pay for them: property taxes for a water bond, four school and college bonds, and a parcel tax; sales taxes in Oxnard, Santa Maria, and Carpinteria; hotel taxes in Simi Valley and Guadalupe; and three that fit no group, in Guadalupe and Isla Vista. Find out whether each one does what it says on the ballot, what it would do to you, your business, and your community, and what you can do about it. Why does United Water say its $350 million bond pays for work that has to happen whether it passes or not? Why would Oxnard and Santa Maria sit at the ceiling state law sets on sales tax, while Ventura's council decided not to ask its voters at all? How much should a city lean on hotel taxes paid mostly by people who can't vote there? Why are three school districts and a college asking to build while enrollment falls in two of the three districts? And why would a cannabis company ask to be taxed? You'll hear two reads from hosts who don't always agree, so you can decide where you land. This series is sponsored by the Ventura County Economic Development Association (VCEDA). For more than 75 years, VCEDA has brought together business leaders and policymakers to support a favorable business climate throughout Ventura County. Through collaboration, education, and engagement, VCEDA works to advance conversations about the policies and issues affecting our regional economy. Learn more at https://www.vceda.org. VCEDA takes no position on these ballot measures and had no editorial control over the series' content. See it differently, or have an idea we missed? Tell us in the comments on YouTube or Spotify. If your organization needs help with policy and public affairs, email [email protected]. With Sean Bhardwaj (Breakthrough Growth Partners), who reads every policy the way a business owner would, and James Joyce (Common Ground Policy and Public Affairs), a journalist who has worked inside government for more than a decade. Sean on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanbhardwaj James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-joyce-iii-00157239/ Groundwork is a podcast from Common Ground Policy and Public Affairs. Chapters 00:00:00 Intro 00:03:19 Water: United Water's Measure D 00:07:49 Water: Box Score, Who's on Each Side 00:09:18 Water: Business and Community 00:10:18 Water: Right Tool for the Job? 00:11:28 Water: What Yes or No Means 00:12:22 Sales Tax: Oxnard, Santa Maria, Carpinteria 00:16:28 Sales Tax: Box Score, Who's on Each Side 00:17:19 Sales Tax: Business and Community 00:18:55 Sales Tax: Right Tool for the Job? 00:20:39 Sales Tax: What Yes or No Means 00:21:44 Hotel Tax: Simi Valley and Guadalupe 00:22:56 Hotel Tax: Business and Community 00:23:36 Hotel Tax: Right Tool for the Job? 00:24:23 Schools: Four Bonds and a Parcel Tax 00:29:35 Schools: Box Score, Who's on Each Side 00:30:38 Schools: Business and Community 00:32:04 Schools: Right Tool for the Job? 00:33:02 Schools: What Yes or No Means 00:33:46 The Rest: Cannabis Tax and Isla Vista

Props 38 and 41 on your 2026 California ballot decide how the state borrows for medical research and how it checks the new taxes it passes, and then we take all 14 state measures together by what they’d do to your taxes, your housing, your vote, and your health care and schools. Find out whether each one does what it says on the ballot, what it would do to you, your business, and your community, and what you can do about it. Why would an $8.4 billion bond send half its money to one research institute, when the one most likely to get it had three employees in September? How could a measure about audits cancel another measure on the same ballot, even one a majority votes for? And which one fund had put more than $300 million into this year’s ballot measures as of October 22? You’ll hear two reads from hosts who don’t always agree, so you can decide where you land. This series is sponsored by the Ventura County Economic Development Association (VCEDA). For more than 75 years, VCEDA has brought together business leaders and policymakers to support a favorable business climate throughout Ventura County. Through collaboration, education, and engagement, VCEDA works to advance conversations about the policies and issues affecting our regional economy. Learn more at https://www.vceda.org. VCEDA takes no position on these ballot measures and had no editorial control over the series’ content. See it differently, or have an idea we missed? Tell us in the comments on YouTube or Spotify. If your organization needs help with policy and public affairs, email [email protected]. With Sean Bhardwaj (Breakthrough Growth Partners), who reads every policy the way a business owner would, and James Joyce (Common Ground Policy and Public Affairs), a journalist who has worked inside government for more than a decade. Sean on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanbhardwaj James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-joyce-iii-00157239/ Groundwork is a podcast from Common Ground Policy and Public Affairs. Chapters 00:00:00 Intro 00:02:51 Prop 38: Immunology Research Bond 00:10:37 Prop 38: Box Score, Who’s on Each Side 00:11:58 Prop 38: Business and Community 00:13:18 Prop 38: Right Tool for the Job? 00:14:59 Prop 38: What Yes or No Means 00:15:46 Prop 41: Audits and the Spending Limit 00:20:00 Prop 41: Box Score, Who’s on Each Side 00:21:36 Prop 41: Business and Community 00:23:57 Prop 41: Right Tool for the Job? 00:25:42 Prop 41: What Yes or No Means 00:26:42 Ballot: Headlines 00:28:57 Ballot: Billionaire Tax and Friends 00:31:07 Ballot: Housing 00:32:26 Ballot: Votes and Elections 00:34:06 Ballot: Health Care and Schools 00:36:02 Ballot: Best and Worst Labels 00:37:52 Ballot: Box Score 00:38:26 Ballot: Who to Reach

Props 2, 42, and 37 on your 2026 California ballot decide how the state saves for a downturn, which new taxes it could be barred from passing, and whether it lends middle-income buyers part of the price of a new home. Find out whether each one does what it says on the ballot, what it would do to you, your business, and your community, and what you can do about it. Why did a change to the state constitution reach your ballot in four days without a committee hearing? Why is there a $112 million campaign to protect your retirement account from a tax California doesn’t have? And why did nobody file an argument against a $25 billion home loan program? You’ll hear two reads from hosts who don’t always agree, so you can decide where you land. This series is sponsored by the Ventura County Economic Development Association (VCEDA). For more than 75 years, VCEDA has brought together business leaders and policymakers to support a favorable business climate throughout Ventura County. Through collaboration, education, and engagement, VCEDA works to advance conversations about the policies and issues affecting our regional economy. Learn more at https://www.vceda.org. VCEDA takes no position on these ballot measures and had no editorial control over the series’ content. See it differently, or have an idea we missed? Tell us in the comments on YouTube or Spotify. If your organization needs help with policy and public affairs, email [email protected]. With Sean Bhardwaj (Breakthrough Growth Partners), who reads every policy the way a business owner would, and James Joyce (Common Ground Policy and Public Affairs), a journalist who has worked inside government for more than a decade. Sean on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanbhardwaj James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-joyce-iii-00157239/ Groundwork is a podcast from Common Ground Policy and Public Affairs. 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:15 Prop 2: Rainy Day Fund 00:06:40 Prop 2: Box Score, Who’s on Each Side 00:07:49 Prop 2: Business and Community 00:09:16 Prop 2: Right Tool for the Job? 00:11:05 Prop 2: What Yes or No Means 00:11:57 Prop 42: Taxes on What You Own 00:16:23 Prop 42: Box Score, Who’s on Each Side 00:18:16 Prop 42: Business and Community 00:20:14 Prop 42: Right Tool for the Job? 00:21:07 Prop 42: What Yes or No Means 00:22:17 Prop 37: Middle-Income Home Loans 00:25:46 Prop 37: Box Score, Who’s on Each Side 00:27:16 Prop 37: Business and Community 00:29:47 Prop 37: Right Tool for the Job? 00:31:04 Prop 37: What Yes or No Means

Props 5, 39, and 43 on your 2026 California ballot change the rules for the votes that come after this one: who replaces a recalled official, who has to show ID to vote, and how many votes a local tax needs to pass. Hear what Props 5, 39, and 43 would change for you, who’s paying on each side, what each one means for your business, your household, and your community, and what to do about it. Why did a senator who was once recalled write the measure that changes how California recalls its officials? Why could voting by mail mean writing part of an ID number, maybe your Social Security number, on the outside of your ballot envelope? And why does the author of a tax measure say she’s adamantly opposed to it? You’ll hear two reads from hosts who don’t always agree, so you can decide where you land. This series is sponsored by the Ventura County Economic Development Association (VCEDA). For more than 75 years, VCEDA has brought together business leaders and policymakers to support a favorable business climate throughout Ventura County. Through collaboration, education, and engagement, VCEDA works to advance conversations about the policies and issues affecting our regional economy. Learn more at https://www.vceda.org. VCEDA takes no position on these ballot measures and had no editorial control over the series’ content. See it differently, or have an idea we missed? Tell us in the comments on YouTube or Spotify. If your organization needs help with policy and public affairs, email [email protected]. With Sean Bhardwaj (Breakthrough Growth Partners), who reads every policy the way a business owner would, and James Joyce (Common Ground Policy and Public Affairs), a journalist who has worked inside government for more than a decade. Sean on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanbhardwaj James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-joyce-iii-00157239/ Groundwork is a podcast from Common Ground Policy and Public Affairs. 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:09 Prop 5: Recall Replacements 00:06:03 Prop 5: Box Score, Who’s on Each Side 00:07:16 Prop 5: Business and Community 00:09:39 Prop 5: Right Tool for the Job? 00:11:13 Prop 5: What Yes or No Means 00:12:12 Prop 39: Voter ID 00:17:11 Prop 39: Box Score, Who’s on Each Side 00:19:06 Prop 39: Business and Community 00:21:01 Prop 39: Right Tool for the Job? 00:22:18 Prop 39: What Yes or No Means 00:23:10 Prop 43: Local Special Taxes 00:27:12 Prop 43: Box Score, Who’s on Each Side 00:28:44 Prop 43: Business and Community 00:31:06 Prop 43: Right Tool for the Job? 00:32:53 Prop 43: What Yes or No Means

Props 40, 3, and 1 on your 2026 California ballot pay for healthcare, schools, and housing, each on its own clock. One taxes billionaires once, one makes top earners’ income tax rates permanent, and one borrows $11 billion for housing and pays it back over about 25 years. Find out what Props 40, 3 and 1 would actually do, who’s spending on each side, what each one means for your business, your household, and your community, and what to do about it. You’ll hear two reads from hosts who don’t always agree, so you can decide where you land. This series is sponsored by the Ventura County Economic Development Association (VCEDA). For more than 75 years, VCEDA has brought together business leaders and policymakers to support a favorable business climate throughout Ventura County. Through collaboration, education, and engagement, VCEDA works to advance conversations about the policies and issues affecting our regional economy. Learn more at https://www.vceda.org. VCEDA takes no position on these ballot measures and had no editorial control over the series’ content. See it differently, or have an idea we missed? Tell us in the comments on YouTube or Spotify. If your organization needs help with policy and public affairs, email [email protected]. With Sean Bhardwaj (Breakthrough Growth Partners), who reads every policy the way a business owner would, and James Joyce (Common Ground Policy and Public Affairs), a journalist who has worked inside government for more than a decade. Sean on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanbhardwaj James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-joyce-iii-00157239/ Groundwork is a podcast from Common Ground Policy and Public Affairs. 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:08 Prop 40: Billionaire Tax 00:06:29 Prop 40: Box Score, Who’s on Each Side 00:09:40 Prop 40: Business and Community 00:11:33 Prop 40: Right Tool for the Job? 00:13:40 Prop 40: What Yes or No Means 00:14:48 Prop 3: High-Earner Income Tax 00:19:57 Prop 3: Box Score, Who’s on Each Side 00:22:53 Prop 3: Business and Community 00:25:23 Prop 3: Right Tool for the Job? 00:27:41 Prop 3: What Yes or No Means 00:29:13 Prop 1: Housing Bond 00:33:06 Prop 1: Box Score, Who’s on Each Side 00:35:26 Prop 1: Business and Community 00:38:22 Prop 1: Right Tool for the Job? 00:39:58 Prop 1: What Yes or No Means

Your 2026 California ballot’s here. Find out what Props 44, 45, and 4 would actually do, who’s paying on each side, what each one means for your business, your household, and your town, and what to do about it. Why are doctors, hospitals and clinics fighting a measure that says 90 percent of clinic money has to go to patient care? Why are construction unions spending millions against one that would get housing, water, and energy projects approved faster? And why does the one measure about money in politics have no money behind it? You’ll hear two reads from hosts who don’t always agree, so you can decide where you land. This series is sponsored by the Ventura County Economic Development Association (VCEDA). For more than 75 years, VCEDA has brought together business leaders and policymakers to support a favorable business climate throughout Ventura County. Through collaboration, education, and engagement, VCEDA works to advance conversations about the policies and issues affecting our regional economy. Learn more at https://www.vceda.org. VCEDA takes no position on these ballot measures and had no editorial control over the series’ content. See it differently, or have an idea we missed? Tell us in the comments on YouTube or Spotify. If your organization needs help with policy and public affairs, email [email protected]. With Sean Bhardwaj (Breakthrough Growth Partners), who reads every policy the way a business owner would, and James Joyce (Common Ground Policy and Public Affairs), a journalist who has worked inside government for more than a decade. Sean on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanbhardwaj James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-joyce-iii-00157239/ Groundwork is a podcast from Common Ground Policy and Public Affairs. 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:14 Prop 44: Clinic Spending 00:05:10 Prop 44: Box Score, Who’s on Each Side 00:08:47 Prop 44: Business and Community 00:12:20 Prop 44: Right Tool for the Job? 00:14:26 Prop 44: What Yes or No Means 00:15:31 Prop 45: Environmental Review 00:19:56 Prop 45: Box Score, Who’s on Each Side 00:21:52 Prop 45: Business and Community 00:24:52 Prop 45: Right Tool for the Job? 00:26:36 Prop 45: What Yes or No Means 00:27:51 Prop 4: Public Campaign Financing 00:31:09 Prop 4: Box Score, Who’s on Each Side 00:34:14 Prop 4: Business and Community 00:36:05 Prop 4: Right Tool for the Job? 00:38:23 Prop 4: What Yes or No Means