A Guide to the 2016 California Propositions
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Politics and Activism

A Guide to the 2016 California Propositions

Information on the ballot in California for Tuesday's election

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A Guide to the 2016 California Propositions
jacksondems

With the general election coming up on Tuesday, voters in California have to make an important decision regarding propositions on the ballot; propositions that bring up really important debates and discussions from healthcare to plastic bag bans to the death penalty. This election is not only to decide the outcome of our presidential race but to decide how to move forward and enact change in our state. Due to the confusing language ballots present, my goal is to create a simple guide on each proposition in my state. This may be dense, but I did my best to be clear in what each proposition means and entails. At the bottom of each section, I created a quick short guide of what a yes or no means for each proposition. Above all else, make sure you get out and vote this Tuesday!

For more information, I would go here, and here.

PROP 51

Proposition 51 would give $9 billion in bonds to modernize public and charter schools and community colleges as well as building new educational facilities. Supporters of the bill range from a wide amount of both Democrats and Republicans across the state. Arguments for the proposition advocate for safer schools for children and providing more job training for veterans, along with giving a boost to the economy by investing in schools.

A YES means that the state is allowed to sell $9 billion in bonds for educational facilities and a NO means the state will not be allowed to do so.

PROP 52

Proposition 52 would indefinitely extend a statute that places fees on hospitals to fund Med-Cal services, care for uninsured patients, and give health coverage to children. Arguments for the measure means that this is just a mere extension of an existing measure for the which makes $3 billion a year in matching funds that pay for services for children, the elderly, and low-income families. People against the measure say it just gives money to CEOs of the hospitals and removes accountability, but the facts are this proposition prohibits Legislature from diverting the money to other means without the voter’s approval.

A YES means that instead of the existing charge ending on January 1st, 2018, the fee would be extended permanently, and make it harder for legislation to divert the money. YES also means that the money raised will help with state savings, provide grants to public hospitals, and give people in need medical services. A NO would mean that the charge on private hospitals ends in 2018.

PROP 53

Proposition 53 is tricky and requires a knowledge of state revenue bonds. A revenue bond is sold by investors for a project, like a freeway or a hospital; once built, the unit is tolled until the debt is repaid. For example, if a highway was built by the government on a revenue bond, there’d be a toll users would pay until the freeway was paid off; the money from the freeway would go into the bond, which repays investors, and then the investors continue putting money into revenue bonds. Currently, bonds don’t have to be voted on by the public.

If passed, Proposition 53 allows for revenue bonds over $2 billion would require the voters to approve it the project, which supporters argue for this action holding politicians accountable for the projects invested by the state and make the accurate estimates of a project transparent to the public. However, the opposition for this proposition argue a number of points; for one, the measure would impact community infrastructure negatively by requiring state votes for localized projects. Repairs and improvements to already existing facilities would not be able to happen without a statewide vote, as well. What’s more, there’s worry that if there’s water supply bonds, bridge repairs, or anything else that’s urgent, there would have to be a statewide vote put in place if it exceeds $2 billion.

A YES on this bill requires voter approval for these bonds over $2 billion that would require an increase in fees for repayment. A NO means that there shouldn’t be voter approval for every revenue bond project over $2 billion, which would leave projects into the hands of local communities.

PROP 54

Proposition 54 prohibits Legislature from passing bills unless they are published online three days prior, as well as recording proceedings to post on the internet. This is an amendment to the state constitution. The purpose is to prevent bills being changed in the eleventh hour. Arguments for the measure claims to stop “surprise” legislation from passing without a three-day review period, and allowing meetings to be posted online creates transparency for the voters. However, the opposition’s biggest worry is that if the measure passes, special interest industries like tobacco and oil could delay the passing of laws with this three day period.

A YES means a support of restricting legislature from passing bills that don’t have a three-day publishing period prior to voting, and a NO blocks the measure altogether.

PROP 55

Proposition 55 takes the personal income tax increases put in place in 2012 on salaries over $250,000 and extends the tax by twelve years. The money made from these taxes go to public schools, community college, and sometimes healthcare. This claims to add $4 billion to $9 billion in revenue from 2019-2030. Arguments against the measure say that temporary tax increases should not become permanent and that it breaks the promise Governor Brown said about the tax increase being temporary. However, these supporters say this proposition stops another $4 billion in cuts made to our public school system and keeps the tax rate the same for another twelve years; people for this bill don’t want to see the cuts made to school during the recession happen again.

A YES means the support of extending the tax increase for income over $250,000 for twelve years to continue funding education. A NO opposes the increase and allows for the tax to end in 2019.

PROP 56

Proposition 56 raises the tax on tobacco products by two dollars. Items like E-cigarettes are not taxed; if the measure passes, it’s added into the taxed products. The proposition claims to add a billion dollars in revenue. Arguments for this measure state that the tax will help pay for smoking prevention, education, and healthcare; this proposition is supported by the American Cancer Society. The opposition says it increases health insurance and most of the money won’t help kids from starting.

A YES means the state can increase the tax on cigarette products, applying the tax to E-cigarettes. A NO means that the tax will remain the same.

PROP 57

This proposition, if passed, allows for two things. First is a judge must confirm in a separate trial and approve if a juvenile should be tried as an adult; currently, it’s up to the prosecutor. Second is inmates serving for nonviolent crime will earn credits for good behavior, achievements, rehab that can be used to shorten their time. While the system already exists, the law limits how much a sentence can be shortened. The US Supreme Court has mandated California to reduce its prison inmates, and this program allows criminal justice reform and creates goals and rewards for rehabilitation. Opposition remains against this because they claim it authorizes early release and the legislation, in general, is poorly adapted. However, this is the time for prison reform and supporters argue that it creates a way to reduce our overcrowded and broken system and allows for better rehabilitation. Taxpayer dollars will be saved by reducing the population of our prisons and this system will be better than what we currently have in our prisons.

A YES means supporting the prison reform, permitting inmates convicted of nonviolent crimes to gain opportunities for behavior and rehabilitation to leave prison sooner and to allow judges--not prosecutors--to determine if a juvenile should be tried as an adult. A NO opposes this measure and keeps the current system that has caused the US Supreme Court to require the state to cut its prison sentence, a system that frankly isn’t working.

PROP 58

Proposition 58 essentially reforms damage done by Proposition 227 that passed in the late 90s. 227 prevented bilingual programs and created a system that wasn’t effective in teaching English learners effectively. Bilingual classrooms had disappeared in a decade’s time, but in the last few years has been revitalized. The opposition argues that English just won’t be taught in public school as a requirement (which is admittedly ridiculous), and it would overturn policies that improved language education. However, supporters advocate that the proposition allows for English proficiency, restores local control for schools, and allows for other students to learn a second language.

A YES means public school districts can choose how to teach their students, while a NO means English learners are only in English-Only programs.

PROP 59

Proposition 59 gives voters the opportunity to require elected officials to seek increased regulation on campaign spending and donations. This does not require particular action but remains a recommendation from the voters. People against the measure state that legislature should stop wasting money since this proposition has no action, while supporters want to make a statement by telling congress to keep industries and “big money” out of politics; supporters want accountability.

A YES means that the message is sent to Sacramento to advise officials, and a NO means voters won’t ask officials to take action and make changes to the regulation of campaign spending.

PROP 60

Proposition 60, if passed, would make porn actors to use condoms during films. Producers also have to pay for testing. Supporters say this will help with prevention and gives producers requirements to obey protection laws. However, the issue lies in Californians being able to sue performers, which violates privacy and causes them to leak their real names to the public. The opposition argues that the language is poor and that it’s an unnecessary cost to taxpayers.

A YES supports the requirements and allows for lawsuits of porn actors. A NO prevents the measure and supports the privacy and potential safety of actors.

PROP 61

Proposition 61 prevents the state from buying a prescription drug from a manufacturer at anything over the lowest prices paid for by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, not including certain programs funded with Medi-Cal. Supporters state that all drugs will be priced at or below what was set by the federal government and prevents price-gouging. The opposition argues that increases prescription prices and reduces access, which doesn’t seem to make sense to me since the proposition is about having lower prices for prescription drugs from manufacturers.

A YES supports regulating drug prices and a NO prevents the measure.

PROP 62

Proposition 62 repeals the death penalty and replaces it with life in prison without parole. This will apply to any current death penalties if passed and will cut criminal justice costs $150 million annually. Arguments against say that the death penalty should just be in place and the state should have the right to kill and not have to pay taxes on someone staying alive. Supporters believe that the death penalty system has fundamentally failed and even the person who helped create the first proposition that enacted the death penalty in California supports this measure.

A YES means that the death penalty in California will be REPEALED with the replacement of life in prison. A NO opposes it.

PROP 63

Proposition 63 creates stricter background checks on ammunition and outlaws the possession of large-capacity magazines. Currently, to buy ammunition a permit isn’t needed but dealers are required to check with the Department of Justice to make sure a customer is okay to buy. It’s also been illegal to buy large magazines since 2000 but if someone had it already, they were allowed to keep it. If the law passes, a background check would be needed for ammunition and a permit would be required, and all large-capacity magazines are now illegal and must be disposed of. Opposition includes some law enforcement and civil liberties groups, who believe that it was made by a politician simply trying to get big, and places burdens on law enforcement. Supporters say it improves public safety by making it easier to keep in check who’s obtaining ammunition. Gun control is an important step to take to ensure that control.

A YES supports this gun control measure to prohibit large-capacity magazines and create a background check criteria for ammunition purchases. A NO opposes this measure altogether.

PROP 64

Proposition 64 Legalizes marijuana for adults 21 and over. It also imposes a state tax on sales and cultivation and allows for industry licensing. It’s estimated to bring in tax revenues to over a billion dollars annually and will reduce criminal justice costs and incarceration. The opposition believes that the measure shows a disregard for DUIs and keeping impaired drivers off the highways and legalizes ads that support marijuana. However, the support is in favor of this measure because it creates a safe, legalized system for people to use marijuana and regulates the use through taxes. The measure also has strict protections for children and provides more job training, after school programs, and cracks down on impaired driving.

A YES means that marijuana is legalized in California for people 21 and over, and a NO prevents legalization.

PROP 65

Proposition 65 redirects money collected by grocery stores that mandate carryout bags and bans plastic bags. Supporters say instead of the grocery stores keeping fees for plastic bags, it goes to the government instead. The opposition argues that this just punishes grocery stores and is deceptive.

A YES supports the plastic bag ban and redirects money grocery stores would keep going to the government. A NO means that the local bans stay in effect and grocers keep the money.

PROP 66

Proposition 66 is the opposite of Proposition 62. Instead of repealing the death penalty, this measure aims to speed up appeals and sets deadlines for attorneys and allows the state to limit case appeals. Supporters argue this is needed to preserve the death penalty, which they say our state needs, and while speeding up the process somehow creates a system so that no innocent person is executed. The opposition is firm in their stance that this is not the answer; this would cost taxpayers millions of dollars and increased prison spending and the measure is poorly written. Also, the opposition strongly believes that the measure is wrong in speeding up the process, that it just increases the risk of executing an innocent person by removing safeguards.

A YES would support speeding up the death penalty, and a NO would oppose that idea--no changes will be made.

PROP 67

Proposition 67 is similar to 65; it bans single-use bags but the grocers get to keep the money. The arguments are the same essentially but reversed; supporters want to phase out plastic and opposers say there’s a hidden tax. Really the biggest difference in 65 and 67 is where the money goes.

A YES means that the ban is enacted and the grocery companies keep the money they make from reusable bags. A NO means the continuation of single-use bags.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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