State Propositions November 8, 2016 General Election Melissa Breach The League of Women Voters of California Education Fund

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1 State Propositions November 8, 2016 General Election Melissa Breach The League of Women Voters of California Education Fund

2 League of Women Voters of CA LWVC.org A political 501(c)(4) corporation, which does not endorse or oppose candidates or political parties. We: 1. Act after study and member agreement to achieve solutions in the public interest on key community issues at the state level. 2. Build citizen participation in the democratic process. 3. Engage communities in promoting positive solutions to public policy issues through education and advocacy.

3 LWVC Education Fund CAVOTES.org We are a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan nonprofit educational organization, which: 1. Builds participation in the democratic process. 2. Studies key community issues at all government levels in an unbiased manner. 3. Enables people to seek positive solutions to public policy issues through education and conflict management.

4 STARTLING FACT In California, an 18 or 19 year old was more likely to be arrested this year than to actually vote in one of the statewide elections. Paul Mitchell, Political Data Inc.

5 Why is turnout so low? Lack of Engagement Sense that government is ineffective, broken, or out of touch. Information Deficit Non-voters say, We don t know enough about who and what we are voting for. Institutional Barriers Lack of access for limited-english-proficient and low-literacy Lack of access for people with disabilities Failure to implement the NVRA to increase voter registration Laws that make it hard to participate

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11 Yes, you can have an impact on this election 1. Publicly endorse or oppose measures. 2. Organize volunteers to gather signatures. 3. Pay staff to gather signatures. 4. Contribute or loan money to campaigns. 5. Host campaign events. 6. Register voters and encourage them to vote yes or no on a specific measure. 7. Propose and draft a ballot measure.

12 Compliance 1. Do not support or oppose candidates. 2. Measure and report lobbying activities. Insubstantial Part Test (measures the percent of activity an organization spends on lobbying) OR 501 (h) Expenditure Test (measures how much money an organization spends on lobbying) 3. Visit BoulderAdvocacy.org and read Worry-Free Lobbying For Nonprofits.

13 Impact Without Lobbying 1. Register voters (staff, clients, members, etc.) 2. Provide unbiased education on ballot measures Vote with your mission Voter s Edge California widget Easy Voter Guide Pros and Cons presentations 3. Support voter turnout 4. Vote

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17 Personalized ballot with poll locations Candidate biographies, top priorities, policy videos, campaign finance info, etc. Unbiased explanations of ballot measures and who supports, opposes, and funds them News, videos, and event listings Clear answers on registration, voting basics, and voting rights Ways to keep track of choices to make voting easier Ability to share information with friends and family

18 51 School Bonds Initiative Statute

19 School Bonds $9 billion in bonds $7 billion for K-12 construction and modernization technical and charter facilities $2 billion for community colleges Estimated $500M annual repayment over 30 years

20 click 51 School Bonds Support: Community College League, California CA State PTA Coalition, Adequate School Housing $2M CA Building Industry Assn $1.6M Opposition: CA Taxpayers Action Network $ as of 14 Sept 16

21 click 51 School Bonds Nine billion dollars Of bond funds for school buildings Term: thirty-five years by Damian Carroll, via the LA Times

22 52 State Fees on Hospitals Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute

23 Hospital Fees Hospital fee charged to private hospitals, leverages federal funds Net positive for state and hospital industry Makes hospital fee permanent Funding exempt from Prop 98 calculations

24 click 52 Hospital Fees Support: CA Hospital Assn CA Assn of Nurse Practitioners CA Health Foundation and Trust Dignity Health $11.5M $8.5M Opposition: Nurse Practitioner Virginia Anders-Ellmore Healthcare Worker Michelle Ross SEIU United Health Care Workers West $11M $ as of 14 Sept 16

25 click 52 Hospital Fees A hospital fee Matched with federal dollars Funds Medi-Cal boost by Damian Carroll, via the LA Times

26 55 Tax Extension Initiative Constitutional Amendment

27 Tax Extension Extends Prop 30 marginal income tax rates for 12 years Directed to education, Medi-Cal, debt payments

28 55 click Tax Extension Support: CA State PTA CA Children s Defense Fund CA Hospitals Committee $25M CA Teachers Assn $14M Opposition: Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn Nat'l Federation of Independent Business CA California Taxpayers Assn No money reported as yet $ as of 14 Sept 16 28

29 click 55 Tax Extension For high-earning folks An income tax that funds schools Would remain in place by Damian Carroll, via the LA Times

30 56 Cigarette Tax Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute

31 Cigarette Tax Increased excise tax on tobacco Cigarettes + $2/pack, to $2.87 ($3.89 total with federal tax) Adds e-cigarettes to 'other tobacco' category Money to healthcare, tobacco-reduction programs

32 click 56 Cigarette Tax Support: American Cancer Society, CA American Lung Assn in CA CA Hospitals Committee on Issues $10M CA State Council of Service Employees $2M Opposition: Former Director, CA Finance Dept National Tax Limitation Committee Philip Morris/Altria $20M RJ Reynolds Tobacco/RAI $13M $ as of 14 Sept 16 32

33 click 56 Cigarette Tax The cigarette tax Would go up, two bucks a pack E-cigarettes, too by Damian Carroll, via the LA Times

34 58 English Language Education Initiative Statute

35 English Education Increased ability to offer bilingual education Districts must respond to parental demands Districts must talk with community members about English education

36 58 click English Education Support: California Teachers Assn. $500k California School Boards California Language Teachers' Assn. Opposition: English for the Children Founding Pres., CA Assn. of Bilingual Educators $ as of 14 Sept 16 36

37 click 58 English Education Kids learning English Won t need a waiver to take Bilingual classes by Damian Carroll, via the LA Times

38 64 Marijuana Legalization Initiative Statute

39 Marijuana Legalizes recreational marijuana Up to 1 oz; 6 plants for adults 21 and older State, local governments may regulate businesses Possible resentencing or amended records for marijuana-related crimes Excise, sales tax revenues could reach ~$1B/yr

40 click 64 Marijuana Support: Parents for Addiction Treatment and Healing Member, Comm. On Marijuana Policy Sean Parker $2.3M Fund for Policy Reform $2M Opposition: California Assn. of Highway Patrolmen Senator Feinstein California Hospital Assn. California Public Safety Institute $186k $ as of 14 Sept 16 40

41 click 58 English Education Legalizes pot! Also raises some tax funds (Perhaps a billion?) by Damian Carroll, via the LA Times

42 62 Death Penalty Initiative Statute

43 66 Death Penalty. Procedures. Initiative Statute

44 Death Penalty Repeal Eliminates death penalty in CA Sentences changed to life w/o parole Appeals move to lower courts State and local savings ~$150M/yr

45 Death Penalty Procedures Shortens death penalty timeline Moves some appeals to trial courts Time limits on appeals Increases # of eligible defense attorneys

46 Death Penalty What if they both pass? The one with more votes goes into effect.

47 65 Carryout Bags. Charges Initiative Statute

48 Bag Fees What 65 does Directs any single-use bag fees to new environmental fund for water, park, habitat cleanup Possible conflict with 67 extent unclear

49 click 65 Bag Fees Support: CA Taxpayer Protection Committee California Senior Advocates Hilex Poly Co Formosa Plastics Corp $2.8M $1.1M Opposition: Californians Against Waste $ as of 14 Sept 16 49

50 67 Single Use Bag Ban Referendum

51 Bag Ban Confirm or overturn ban on single-use bags Yes vote upholds the bag ban; No vote overturns it

52 Bags How do these fit together? Both fail: single-use plastic bags ok unless local law bans 65 fails, 67 passes: single-use plastic bags banned; fees stay with merchants 65 passes, 67 fails: single-use plastic bags ok; fees from any future law go to fund Both pass: single-use plastic bags banned; fees follow the one with more votes.

53 click 67 Bag Ban Support: Monterey Bay Aquarium CA Ocean Protection Council Safeway & other grocers $300k Opposition: CA Manufacturers & Technology Assn CA Taxpayer Protection Committee Hilex Poly Formosa Plastics Corp $2.8M $1.1M $ as of 14 Sept 16 53

54 53 Revenue Bonds. Statewide Voter Approval Initiative Constitutional Amendment

55 Revenue Bonds Voter Approval, Revenue Bonds Now general obligation bonds require voter approval; revenue bonds don't 53 requires voter approval for revenue bonds for state projects >$2B

56 54 Legislature. Legislation & Proceedings Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute

57 Legislature What 54 Does Bills and amendments online for >72 hours before a vote Meetings of legislature recorded, online w/in 24 hrs Exceptions for emergencies

58 57 Criminal Sentences. Juvenile Justice Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute

59 Sentencing Earlier eligibility for parole consideration More opportunity to earn credits for good behavior, work, or education Juveniles would not be moved to adult court without a juvenile court hearing

60 59 Campaign Finance Advisory Measure

61 Campaign Finance Citizens United Instruction Advises CA elected officials to work to amend the Constitution to reverse Citizens United, regulate campaign spending, ensure individuals' speech rights Does not create a new law

62 click 59 Campaign Finance Support: California Common Cause Money Out Voters In Opposition: Assembly member K Achadjian State Senator Jeff Stone $ as of 14 Sept 16 62

63 60 Adult Films. Condoms Initiative Statute

64 Adult Films Cal/OSHA currently requires protective equipment If 60 passes: Condoms specifically required, more regulation Individuals can sue producers if Cal/OSHA doesn't act on a complaint

65 61 State Prescription Drug Purchases. Pricing Initiative Statute

66 Drug Prices What 61 Does Requires state to pay no more than VA for drugs Applies to Medi-Cal (some), state employees & retirees, prisoners State can't necessarily learn or obtain VA price

67 63 Firearms. Ammunition Sales Initiative Statute

68 Firearms What 63 Does Requires 'prohibited persons' to give up their guns on conviction Regulates ammunition sales to exclude prohibited persons Tightens regulations on reporting, magazines

69 Nonpartisan click Election Information One-stop shopping for election information Concise explanations of state propositions LWVC Education Fund information site government and fiscal analysis, not just for elections online registration, election info 69

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