Here they are:
YES on Prop 19 -
NO on Prop 20 -
YES on Prop 21 -
NO on Prop 22 -
HELL NO on Prop 23 -
YES on Prop 24 -
YES on Prop 25 -
NO on Prop 26 -
YES on Prop 27 -
More explanations beneath the fold!
Prop 19 - YES
It's time to decriminalize marijuana. Less addictive than alcohol and nicotine it's time to treat marijuana like alcohol and grant legality for those above the age of 21. This won't mean a huge amount since it's still a federal crime but time for California voters to signal to the feds that it's time to move on.
Prop 20 - NO
Extends redistricting prop we passed previously to congressional districts to allow for unelected panel to decide boundaries for congressional districts. This amounts to unilateral disarmament since states like Texas will continue to gerrymander to increase the number of Republican seats. If all states aren't required to draw congressional districts by the same method it doesn't make sense that California have a method that put Democrats at a disadvantage. As we saw in some of the close votes in the House EVERY Democratic vote is sometimes needed for critical legislation. Besides, other ballot reform is MUCH more critical than this one--stuff like ranked-order balloting and multi-member congressional districts would allow for better chances for 3rd party representation in the House Of Representatives as opposed to the current system or the one this prop would make. And besides, the Dems and the Reps still have PRIMARIES which do work (especially if you've been watching this election cycle). Our current system is not at all perfect but this prop makes it even worse.
Prop 21 - YES
$18 license fee tax on autos to pay for parks. Pays for state park maintenance and conservation programs. Would've been better if they included this in the fiscal year budget but with our super majority requirement in this state (see Prop 25!) it wasn't gonna happen that way.
Prop 22 - NO
Prop 23 - HELL NO!
Perhaps the most important proposition on this ballot. Effectively rescinds the greenhouse gas measure passed by the California legislature. Oh yeah, and did I mention its backed by oil companies. After Congress's inability to get a Cap and Trade bill passed it is left for (as usual) California to lead the way. Vote NO!
Prop. 24 - YES
Because of our messed up 2/3rds requirement for a budget to pass the legislature made a compromise to rescind some corporate tax breaks. This repeals that.
Prop. 25 - YES YES YES
Changes budget process so that a budget can be passed with a simple majority( as opposed to now where it requires a simple majority--only a handful of states require supermajorities like us). It's part of the reason our budget process is so super effed up. Make it 50% + 1 and if people don't like the budgets that come out of Sacramento then vote the bums out!
Prop 26 - NO
Requires vote on fees to be considered the same as taxes for the purpose of making budgets--which means they get subjected to the 2/3rds super majority rule (see Prop 25). Again, undemocratic. Vote No!
Prop 27 - YES (but a NO vote is reasonable--see below)
In effect, repeals Prop 11 passed back in 2008. Prop 11 took redistricting power away from the legislature and gave it to a unelected panel with Dems, Reps and unaffiliated members. Since this only deals with drawing the lines for the California State Legislatures it does NOT amount to unilateral disarmament (like Prop 20). I am still iffy about shifting redistricting power to a group that is unaccountable by the voters but this could be a worthwhile experiment. So if you are thinking of a NO vote I would say go ahead but then please be sure to vote NO for Prop 20 for the reasons I stated!