There are 17 state wide propositions on the ballot, enough to make anyone's head spin my thoughts as follows:
Proposition 51 - $9 billion bond to fix and upgrade CA school facilities
No – Based on very negative projections for State Revenue (see prop 55). Proposed/Supported by the building industry and will give a leg up to developers when building a development, in other words they won’t have to contribute to upgrades/additions to schools when they develop. Another issue is that the local school district will have to contribute and that gives a leg up to the wealthier districts. Opposed by Jerry.
Proposition 52 – Require Voter Approval to Divert Hospital Fee Revenue Dedicated to Medi-Cal (2016)
No – Does nothing except tie the hands of the legislature.
Proposition 53 - Voter Approval Requirement for Revenue Bonds above $2 Billion
No – Takes power from legislature and hands bond process to those who can afford (AKA the 0.1%) to promote or oppose bond issues. Another issue it will probably impair/stop state-local partnerships on significant infrastructure projects. For example if Sacramento wanted to build a medical center with a cost in excess of $2 billion it would have to get voters in the entire state to sign on. Overall this proposition does nothing more that hand over the ability of the 0.1% to control major spending in CA.
Proposition 54 - 72-Hour Publication of Bills Prior to Vote
Yes – Encourage transparency
Proposition 55 - Extend the Tax on the Wealthy to Fund Education and Healthcare
Yes – Needs no explanation
Proposition 56 - $2 Tobacco Tax to fund healthcare, research, and prevention
Yes – Needs no explanation needed re cigarettes. Prop 56 will increase the tax on vaping products by redefining the definition of "other tobacco products" in state law to include e-cigarettes and the imposing the same tax on them as cigarettes. I don’t have a significant problem with this, vaping products are very addictive and the healthcare costs associated with dealing with addition will have to be dealt with. Prop 56 money helps by directing large amounts of the money to healthcare programs for tobacco prevention etc. I would prefer to see vaping products taxed at a lower level since their health impact may be lower but I am will to accept this slightly flawed proposition vs. the status quo.
Proposition 57 - Parole for Non-Violent Criminals and Juvenile Court Trial Requirements
Yes – Simply stated a "yes" vote supports increasing parole and good behavior opportunities for felons convicted of nonviolent crimes and allows judges, not prosecutors, to decide whether to try certain juveniles as adults in court. Over the years through both the legislator and the proposition process we have removed discretion from judges and parole boards by implementing a variety of “Get Tough on Crime Measures” and is one of the drivers of the exploding prison population. It is opposed by prosecutors since it would reduce their ability to extract plea bargains (mostly from people of color and the poor, also note that poor juveniles and juveniles of color are far more likely to be prosecuted as adults). My belief is that it will restore some balance of power within the judicial system resulting in fairer sentences from judges and restore the ability of parole boards to recognize when am offender has reformed and will probably be able to integrate back into society. It is s also opposed by various victims groups who fear that it will lead to the early release of violent of violent criminals, yes this is a risk but a civilized society we have to accept some small risks.
Finally. Finally we imprison the poor and people of color for too long for minor offences, this proposition will help reduce this.
Proposition 58 - Repeal the ban on bilingual education
Yes – The ban is simply racist and places many people at risk of not getting a decent education. In the end this should lead to better education for the “English as Second Language Group” and benefit everyone.
Proposition 59 - Overturn of Citizens United Act Advisory Question
Yes – Supporters of this proposition suggest that it will force the legislature to propose or support a constitutional amendment to the federal Constitution overturning the United States Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election. This is not true the legislature can ignore this proposition, so in some ways it is paper tiger. I do not believe that a constitutional amendment (that is very difficult to achieve) is required to turn over Citizens United and some might say that this proposition gives the message to the legislature that they must work to amend the constitution and may slow down other avenues for relief. A yes vote is a powerful message to politicians and the 0.01% that will help provide momentum for legislative or Supreme Court action resulting in the overturning of this misguided Supreme Court decision.
Proposition 60 - Condoms in Pornographic Films
No – A deeply flawed proposition that will lead to dozens of lawsuits. Any party is allowed to sue the film producers if the state’s workplace safety agency fails to act on a reported violation. If a lawsuit like this was upheld then the plaintiffs can claim some of the judgment, you bet the layers are licking their lips at this one. The proposition will force performers and producers to release their real names. Ultimately the industry will leave (the San Fernando Valley) and California will be out several millions in tax revenue. Let the industry look after itself.
Proposition 61 - State Prescription Drug Purchases. Pricing Standards. Initiative Statute.
No – Often and misleadingly restated as “Requires CA to Pay Less for Pharmaceutical Drugs”. I would like to support this, it is a lefty dream kind of amendment but there are simply too many obstacles at the federal level to make this work. CA will simply find itself mired in lawsuits (e.g., Drug manufactures raise prices to the VA) and some drugs might simply be unobtainable since drug manufactures could simply refuse to sell them to state agencies.
Proposition 62 - Repeal the Death Penalty
Yes – Needs no explanation.
Proposition 63 - Background Checks for Ammunition Purchases and Large-Capacity Ammunition Magazine Ban
Yes – Needs no explanation
Proposition 64 - Legalizes Marijuana for Recreational Use
Yes – A personal choice. I believe that we should legalize the use of Marijuana so that it can be controlled and taxed. This amendment is not perfect but it will:
Keep people out of jail for Marijuana use – we imprison too many people for minor drug possession.
Allow to collection of taxes to pay for required legislation.
Encourage people to think about drug addiction as a public health problem and not a lack of morals.
Proposition 65 - Carryout Bags. Charges. Initiative Statute
No – Sends $2 million to state plastic bag manufacturers for the purpose of helping them retain jobs and transition to making thicker, multi-use, recycled plastic bags. They don’t need the money, they already make thicker, multi-use, recycled plastic bags! Prop 67 lets the stores keep the money to cover costs associated with complying with Proposition 67, cover the costs of providing the recycled paper or reusable bags and provide educational materials encouraging the use of reusable bags.
Proposition 66 - Speed up the Death Penalty
No – A cynical prop from the law and order lobby to make California the “Execution State” would probably just tie the state up in lawsuits.
Proposition 67 - Plastic Bag Ban Veto Referendum
Yes – The bag industry’s attempt to override our duly elected representatives in the California legislature.