On November 8, you’ll see a variety of state issues on the ballot—everything from a ban on single-use plastic bags to marijuana legalization to a repeal of the death penalty. Here are our recommendations for each.
Proposition 51
Funding for K-12 school bonds and community college facilities
If passed, this law would create a $9 billion bond to improve and build public schools. Schools are still recovering from the budget crisis of 2008, and this measure will go a long way to addressing overdue facility needs. Recommendation: Yes
Proposition 52
Voter approval of hospital-fee program
This reasonable proposition continues a fee program at hospitals to help ensure we get federal matching dollars for Medicaid funds. It would reform current practices by requiring voter approval of any use of these funds for other purposes. Recommendation: Yes
Proposition 53
Voter approval of state projects that cost more than $2 billion
Government waste and boondoggles are far too common, but hindering major infrastructure improvements through general-election approval is a recipe for delay and potentially greater costs for needed projects. A better idea is to elect politicians who will spend our money wisely. Recommendation: No
Proposition 54
Conditions under which legislative bills can be passed
A yes vote on Proposition 54 is a yes for open government and transparency. The proposal would prohibit passage of any bill that hasn’t been in print or posted online for at least 72 hours. All legislative proceedings would also have to be recorded, posted online and available for free. Democracy thrives in the daylight and dies in the dark. Recommendation: Yes
Proposition 55
Extension of personal income tax for those making over $250,000 to fund education and healthcare
Proposition 30 of 2012 levied a sales and income tax to help California schools dig out from the effects of the great recession. The tax is scheduled to end, but Proposition 55 would extend it for those making more than $250,000 (1.5 percent of the population) to continue to pay for schools and public health projects. That is reneging on the terms of Proposition 30, but California’s school and health system are still in need. California’s tax system is in need of an overhaul, but in the meantime, asking the 1.5 percent to help pay for these worthy causes is reasonable. Recommendation: Yes
Proposition 56
Increase cigarette tax by $2 a pack
Smoking exacts a huge cost on public health—$3.5 billion a year for Medi-Cal patients in California. This proposed tax on tobacco products and e-cigarettes would fund anti-tobacco education and healthcare. If you don’t like the tax, don’t smoke. Recommendation: Yes.
Proposition 57
Reform criminal sentencing, parole and juvenile proceedings
Is prison meant to be simply punitive or should it also offer chances for rehabilitation and parole? We believe in the latter. Gov. Jerry Brown is pushing Proposition 57 as a way to alleviate prison overcrowding by incentivizing good behavior. The other part of the law makes juvenile offenders subject to state courts, not prosecutors. We believe judges, not overzealous prosecutors, should decide when a youth should be tried as an adult. Recommendation: Yes
Proposition 58
Bilingual education in public schools
Proposition 58 would repeal 1998’s Proposition 227, a one-size-does-not-fit-all ban on bilingual education. Proposition 58 returns the decision on how to teach English-language learners to school districts, where it belongs. Recommendation: Yes
Proposition 59
State Legislature opposition to Citizens United
True, this proposition doesn’t have any real teeth. It’s merely an advisory measure that urges state legislators to use their power to amend the U.S. Constitution to overturn the rotten Citizens United case of 2010 that allows unfettered corporate money in our elections. So it’s a symbolic gesture that costs nothing, but it sends a strong message. Recommendation: Yes
Proposition 60
Require use of condoms in pornographic films
This sounds like a great idea, right? But why do both the California Republican and Democratic parties, the San Francisco Green Party, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and Dan Savage oppose it? Because it’s poorly written and it’s not about public health, but costly, free-for-all litigation. As written, the law would allow anyone in the state to sue anyone connected with porno films. No other workers can be sued this way. And why should the public be involved in porn regulation anyway? Recommendation: No
Proposition 61
Prescription-drug price regulation
The proposal seeks to rein in drug costs by prohibiting state agencies from buying prescription drugs at any price over the lowest price paid for the same drug by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Supporters have spent $14 million to the $108 million opponents have spent. It’s on track to be the most expensive ballot proposition in U.S. history. Most of the opposing campaign contributions were made by pharmaceutical companies. If Big Pharma is against it, it means they’re out to protect their profits. Recommendation: Yes
Proposition 62
Repeal the death penalty
The death penalty is a failure. It’s more costly than life in prison. It’s inhumane. It’s unjust. And it’s not a deterrent to crime. It’s time to kill it. Recommendation: Yes
Proposition 63
Background checks for ammunition purchases
If you’re going to do a background check for a gun purchase, it makes sense to do the same for buying bullets. And no one should be able to buy a gun if they’ve been convicted of stealing a gun. That’s also part of Proposition 63. Recommendation: Yes
Proposition 64
Legalization of marijuana
A good idea, but there are too many details to work out and the timing is not right. (See our feature story for more details). Recommendation: No
Proposition 65
Tax on plastic bags for environmental projects
This ridiculous proposed law from the plastic-bag industry is like putting a tax on bullets to help pay for injuries caused by bullet wounds. A better idea would be to ban the environmental scourge altogether, as Proposition 67 seeks to do. Don’t be fooled. Recommendation: No
Proposition 66
Reform death penalty procedures
Speeding up the appeals process is a costly band-aid for a broken system. Vote yes on Proposition 62 instead. Recommendation: No
Proposition 67
Ban plastic bags
Petroleum-based plastic bags contribute to climate change, clog landfills for eternity and choke our oceans and waterways, where marine creatures mistake them for food and die slow deaths. It’s time for them to go. Recommendation: Yes
In regards to Prop 64 for Marijuana legalization. With all due respect, this is an extremely subjective and irresponsible take on an issue that affects millions of peoples lives. A large part of the argument against has to do with how it would affect the growers economy of Northern California. I agree. They might really loose their take in the pot business to a large agree, but that doesn’t mean you keep it Illegal! I’m sure people had great financial success during the alcohol prohibition, but that doesn’t mean we keep it illegal so they can continue their wealth. Or for fear of poverty. No. We legalize it because it’s A. It’s our right to drink if we want B. IT CAN BE TAXED WHEN LEGALIZED and C. PEOPLE SHOULDN”T BE PUNISHED FOR IT.
I’m sorry that the growers might be affected negatively by legalization, but guess what? While it’s illegal, thousands of people will continuously get fined and go to jail for Marijuana use. That is so wrong, and we all know it. If I have to choose between it being decriminalized and innocent people no longer being unjustly punished, or growers loosing their business (which is an extreme statement), I’m sorry, I’m going for legalization. It’s just the right thing to do. They will need to figure out how to make a living. That’s not my responsibility, nor all the people being unjustly punished for pot.
Yes, Corporations are going get their greedy hands in the pie and try to monopolize, but that just comes with the territory of legalizing something that is profitable. And by the way, once it’s legal, entrepreneurs of all kinds will be able to have great success through all kinds – Bars, clubs, ect. When legalized, it will be a total success for economies because it will finally be taxed! This means the money from pot can actually go back into the state. This is huge.
Although not perfect, legalizing is a damn good start. It might be a negotiation on many levels, but it’s the right thing to do. YES ON PROP 64!