I grew up in California, but have been living on the east coast for more than 20 years. This year I find myself back in the Golden State, ready to head to the polls on Tuesday. I have my Official Voter Information Guide here by my side and I am reading it carefully. But some of the choices still confuse me. I am a long-time Dkos member who knows how knowledgeable (not to mention, opinionated) many of the posters here are. So I thought I would solicit your arguments pro and con some of these propositions.
I have read the material about Proposition 19 (the one to legalize marijuana--to grow and consume, not sell) thoroughly, and think I will vote for that. I know people have issues with some of the details of the legislation. But I think overall it would be better if it would pass. I hope it would decrease the violent crime that now goes along with marijuana cultivation here and in Mexico.
What I am really confused about are Propositions 20 and 27. Are they different solutions to the same problem, one better than the other? Or are they both bad or both good? Here are summaries:
Proposition 20: Removes elected representatives from process of establishing congressional districts and transfers that authority to recently-authorized 14-member redistricting commission comprised of Democrats, Republicans, and representatives of neither party. Fiscal Impact: No significant net change in state redistricting costs.
Proposition 27: Eliminates 14-member redistricting commission. Consolidates authority for establishing state Assembly, Senate, and Board of Equalization districts with elected representatives who draw congressional districts. Fiscal Impact: Possible reduction of state redistricting costs of around $1 million over the next year. Likely reduction of these costs of a few million dollars once every ten years beginning in 2020.
I have a pretty clear picture of the other propositions, but would still favor your input on them.
Thanks!