LA County Republican And Libertarian Parties Oppose Measure B

 LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Adding to the groundswell of opposition building against Measure B, the so-called "Safer Sex" initiative on the Nov. 6 ballot in Los Angeles County, the Republican and Libertarian Parties of Los Angeles County both joined in announcing their opposition to the controversial ballot initiative. "With the Republican and Libertarian Parties both announcing their opposition to Measure B, the truth about this ridiculous proposal is finally getting out and voters are beginning to see what the consequences will be for taxpayers and public health should Measure B pass," said James Lee, communications director for the No on Government Waste Committee. "As ballots are being mailed out this week to voters, they can read for themselves the arguments and come to the same conclusions both parties did in opposing this measure." Lee also noted that the Democratic Party of Los Angeles County declined to endorse the initiative as well, meaning that no major political party in the county has endorsed Measure B. "The absence of support for the Measure B is deafening," Lee said. "We also have the support of the largest business group in the San Fernando Valley and 22 chambers of commerce throughout the county in opposition to it. We are confident as more voters read the arguments, more of them will do likewise and reject it." According to the California Dept. of Public Health, from June 30, 2008 to June 30, 2011, there were 6,447 new cases of HIV reported in Los Angeles County, but only two were adult performers, neither of whom contracted the disease on-set. Since 2004, there have been no documented cases of HIV transmission on an adult entertainment set. Measure B, funded and placed on the ballot by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, would require the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to license and permit adult movie productions in the county and require performers to wear condoms and other "barrier protections" as well as create an unworkable system of on-set inspections and enforcement by county personnel. The county estimates initial start-up costs for the program to be in excess of $300,000, but acknowledges that regardless of the level of compliance by the adult film industry, there would be significant cost to the Department of Public Health. The No on Government Waste Committee is comprised of entertainment companies, local business organizations, community activists, adult entertainment performers and healthcare advocates who oppose Measure B's plan for creating an underfunded government inspection program diverting badly needed resources from local community clinics and underserved minority communities. For more information, please click here.