There are less than two weeks between now and election day, and we know it’s tricky to read past all the legal mumbo-jumbo and decide what exactly a “Yes” or “No” vote means. That’s why, today, we’re debuting our “Helping You Decide 2008” series of in-depth commentary on all of the propositions to address the issues head-on, and hopefully give you a little clarification. To start it off today, we have produced a thorough, unbiased summary of each of the twelve propositions. Feel free to sound off on any issue that you feel strongly about in our comments section below.
Also we are employing the help of our posters, who will be shining their expertise on the propositions that they feel most strongly about. One or two propositions will be covered by posters per day, and they have been invited to write about any of the issues they wish. We encourage you to check out their views and let them know what you think. You just might be surprised at some of them…
Today, we’ll kick off the series with commentary on Propositions 1A and 2. Enjoy the summary below and check out the poster responses. Happy Debating!
California Proposition 1A
Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act for the 21st Century
Proposition 1A would authorize the sale of $9.95 billion in general obligation bonds to fund a high-speed passenger train between San Francisco and Los Angeles. This would partially fund a $40 billion, 800-mile high speed train under the supervision of the California High-Speed Rail Authority. $950 million of the bond proceeds would be available for capital projects on other passenger rail lines to provide connectivity to the high-speed train system and for capacity enhancements and safety improvements to those lines.
Click here to read the views of Dennis Smith and Daniel Brezenoff on Proposition 1A.
California Proposition 2
California Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act
Prospection 2 would prohibit the confinement of farm animals in a manner that does not allow them to turn around freely, lie down, stand up, or fully extend their limbs. Imposes a misdemeanor penalty and a fine of up $1,000 or imprisonment for up to six months. Bans cages for egg-laying poultry, gestation crates for sows and veal crates for veal calves.
Click here to read the views of Dennis Smith, Daniel Brezenoff, Kate Karp and Judy Crumpton on Proposition 2.
California Proposition 3
Children’s Hospital Bond Act
Proposition 3 would authorize the sale of $980 million in bonds to fund the construction, expansion, remodeling, renovation, furnishing and equipping of children’s hospitals.
California Proposition 4
Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor’s Pregnancy
Proposition 4 would prohibit abortion for minors until 48 hours after physician notifies minor’s parent, legal guardian or, if parental abuse has been reported, an alternative adult family member.
California Proposition 5
Nonviolent Offender Rehabilitation Act of 2008
Proposition 5 establishes a California secretary of rehabilitation and parole and other departments, offices and programs intended to provide rehabilitation and alternative sentencing for drug defendants. The proposition also, requires California to expand and increase funding and oversight for individualized treatment and rehabilitation programs for nonviolent drug offenders and parolees; Reduces criminal consequences of nonviolent drug offenses by mandating three-tiered probation with treatment and by providing for case dismissal and/or sealing of records after probation; Limits court’s authority to incarcerate offenders who violate probation or parole; Shortens parole for most drug offenses, including sales, and for nonviolent property crimes; Creates numerous divisions, boards, commissions, and reporting requirements regarding drug treatment and rehabilitation; and, changes certain marijuana misdemeanors to infractions.
California Proposition 6
Safe Neighborhoods Act
Proposition 6 would require new state spending on various criminal justice programs, as well as for increased costs for prison and parole operations. This funding would come from California’s General Fund, reallocating funds currently spent on K-12 Education, Higher Education, Health and Human Services, Business, Transportation and Housing, and Environmental Protection. Deems any youth 14 years or older who is convicted of a “gang-related” felony as unfit for trial in a juvenile court, thus, prosecuting these youth as adults. Necessitate that all occupants who are recipients of public housing subsidies submit to annual criminal background checks. If any occupant did not pass this criminal background check, the entire family would be removed from their housing.
California Proposition 7
The Solar and Clean Energy Act of 2008
Proposition 7 would require California utilities to procure half of their power from renewable resources by 2025. In order to make that goal, levels of production of solar, wind and other renewable energy resources will more than quadruple from their current output of 10.9%. It will also require California utilities to increase their purchase of electricity generated from renewable resources by 2% annually to meet Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requirements of 40% in 2020 and 50% in 2025.
California Proposition 8
California Marriage Protection Act
Proposition 8 would outlaw same-sex marriage by adding the following words to the state Constitution: “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”
California Proposition 9
Marsy’s Law: the Victims’ Bill of Rights Act of 2008
Proposition 9 broadens the role of victims and victims’ families in parole hearings and restricts frequency of hearing. It deals mostly with parole, increasing the ability of victims and their families to testify and reducing the number of parole hearings to which prisoners are entitled.
California Proposition 10
The California Renewable Energy and Clean Alternative Fuel Act
Proportion 10 would authorize the sale of $5 billion in bonds to fund renewable energy efforts. 58% in cash payments of between $2,000 and $50,000 to purchasers of certain high fuel economy and alternative fuel vehicles; 20% in incentives for research, development and production of renewable energy technology; 11% in incentives for research and development of alternative fuel vehicle technology; 5% in incentives for purchase of renewable energy technology; 4% in grants to eight cities for education about these technologies; and 3% in grants to colleges to train students in these technologies.
California Proposition 11
Voters FIRST Act
Proposition 11 would transfer the power to re-draw Assembly, State Senate, and Board of Equalization district lines, once every 10 years after census data come in, from the political parties and elected officials to a 14-member citizens’ commission. The commission would be composed of 5 Democrats, 5 Republicans, and 4 others.
California Proposition 12
California Veterans Bond
Proposition 12 would authorize the sale of $900 million in bonds to fund the extension of the current Cal-Vet program which helps veterans buy homes and farms with lower interest rates.