State Propositions November 8, 2016 General Election Melissa Breach The League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
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.
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.
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.
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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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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51 School Bonds Initiative Statute
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
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
click 51 School Bonds Nine billion dollars Of bond funds for school buildings Term: thirty-five years by Damian Carroll, via the LA Times
52 State Fees on Hospitals Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute
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
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
click 52 Hospital Fees A hospital fee Matched with federal dollars Funds Medi-Cal boost by Damian Carroll, via the LA Times
55 Tax Extension Initiative Constitutional Amendment
Tax Extension Extends Prop 30 marginal income tax rates for 12 years Directed to education, Medi-Cal, debt payments
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
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
56 Cigarette Tax Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute
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
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
click 56 Cigarette Tax The cigarette tax Would go up, two bucks a pack E-cigarettes, too by Damian Carroll, via the LA Times
58 English Language Education Initiative Statute
English Education Increased ability to offer bilingual education Districts must respond to parental demands Districts must talk with community members about English education
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
click 58 English Education Kids learning English Won t need a waiver to take Bilingual classes by Damian Carroll, via the LA Times
64 Marijuana Legalization Initiative Statute
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
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
click 58 English Education Legalizes pot! Also raises some tax funds (Perhaps a billion?) by Damian Carroll, via the LA Times
62 Death Penalty Initiative Statute
66 Death Penalty. Procedures. Initiative Statute
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
Death Penalty Procedures Shortens death penalty timeline Moves some appeals to trial courts Time limits on appeals Increases # of eligible defense attorneys
Death Penalty What if they both pass? The one with more votes goes into effect.
65 Carryout Bags. Charges Initiative Statute
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
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
67 Single Use Bag Ban Referendum
Bag Ban Confirm or overturn ban on single-use bags Yes vote upholds the bag ban; No vote overturns it
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.
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
53 Revenue Bonds. Statewide Voter Approval Initiative Constitutional Amendment
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
54 Legislature. Legislation & Proceedings Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute
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
57 Criminal Sentences. Juvenile Justice Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute
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
59 Campaign Finance Advisory Measure
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
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
60 Adult Films. Condoms Initiative Statute
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
61 State Prescription Drug Purchases. Pricing Initiative Statute
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
63 Firearms. Ammunition Sales Initiative Statute
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
Nonpartisan click Election Information www.votersedge.org/ca One-stop shopping for election information www.easyvoterguide.org Concise explanations of state propositions www.cavotes.org LWVC Education Fund information site www.lao.ca.gov government and fiscal analysis, not just for elections www.sos.ca.gov online registration, election info 69
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