A Comprehensive California State Voter Recommendation Guide:
Hi, I'm Erin Wiley, and every election I do a Voter Recommendation Guide for those who have been so busy, you haven't had time to look up the propositions and measures.
Well, no worries...I gotcha! I know, as we all make our way in this new world of misinformation, social media, rumors of wars, and actual wars, it's hard to stomach election seasons filled with extremist politics, attack ads, and "versions" of the "truth". It's enough to make you want to scream. Maybe even run away from it all. Which is why I am going to level up with you. We've had enough hyperbole to last a lifetime. It's time for peace, mutual respect, and THE FACTS.
So let's unpack these issues together and bring some balance, common sense, and kindness back into the conversation.
Before we begin...a little bit about me, I am a moderate, I love our country, and when looking at propositions I tow no party line. I find out what organization or entity introduced the proposition, I consider the cost, the equity to our citizenry, and both the short-term and long-term benefits. I hope these recommendations are helpful! Godspeed! And Congratulations on participating in one of our most sacred American liberties...CASTING YOUR VOTE.
This guide is a recommendation on CALIFORNIA STATE PROPOSITIONS
LOS ANGELES Measures / Judges and Presidential Race.
President of the United States of America
VOTE FOR KAMALA HARRIS https://kamalaharris.com/meet-kamala-harris/
Let's make America JOYFUL again!
Vice President Kamala Harris is a formidable leader with a plan that includes ALL Americans. She understands the power and gravitas of the American presidency. But more important than that she RESPECTS it. Kamala Harris will govern on good ideas, not partisan rhetoric and personal vendettas. She will include republican leadership in her administration, showing our nation that she values country over party. A Harris administration will send a signal to the American people that it is time to unite as countrymen and put an end to the tribal warfare that her opponent glories and basks in. Kamala Harris has a plan for the middle class, working class, and small business owners. https://kamalaharris.com/a-new-way-forward/
Women are dying because doctors are afraid to perform needed DNCs. Families who need IVF treatments are now at risk of having their dream of expanding their family destroyed. This is what happens when we let the government into a relationship between a woman, a family, and her doctor. Abortion rights inevitably involve our values and beliefs.
I am Whole Life, a movement that cherishes life in the womb AND outside of the womb, with programs that help mothers and children K through 12, as well as holding those that we trust to protect and serve us ACCOUNTABLE when they racially profile or cause the death of a fellow citizen motivated by fear/hate of the color of their skin. Whole life also includes innocent children on the other side of the globe who are being slaughtered by an ally turned war criminal. Honoring LIFE encompasses every stage, age, ethnicity, and situation.
The government should not intervene in discussions between a woman, her family, and her doctor. As a woman of faith, I strive to share the love of Christ to help women make decisions that are not based on fear. I do not believe in using the government as a sledgehammer to force families into conformity while removing necessary life-saving procedures, as a means to implement my faith at gunpoint. There is a better way, it involves love and respect. It is sharing the truth of Christ without compromise. And that is FAITH, not force.
Kamala Harris and Tim Walz have a plan for inflation and our economy to MOVE US FORWARD. It will be awesome to have a teacher like Coach Walz in the Vice president's office to help heal our broken education system!
PROPOSITIONS:
PROP 33 : VOTE YES
State wide Rent Control or Leave it As Is?
Who put it on the ballot?
Petition Signatures.
Supporters: Aids Healthcare Foundation, Veteran's Voices, Housing Now, & More.
What is it?
Yep! I figured we'd start with guns-a-blazing, especially since there have been SO MANY confusing ads regarding this proposition. So this is what you need to know:
TODAY there is a law on the books entitled, 'The Costa Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995'. This law allows property owners to determine the initial rent rate for their property, as well as how much they want to increase rent for existing tenants who began a lease on and after 1995.
So basically the 1995 law that is currently in place, puts the power of how much you pay for rent solely in the hands of property owners. Proposition 33 would repeal the 1995 law, and allow local government to determine the amount of rent a property owner can charge. It allows rent control to be an option everywhere, (not just certain cities).
California is in a crisis. 55% of California renters spend more than 30% of their income on rent. The majority of rental properties are not Mom & Pop property owners. The majority are billion-dollar corporations. A change is needed but is Prop 33 the right change? Proposition 33 puts the power of rent control into the hands of local city and county governments.
Let's look at the claims made by BOTH sides:
-Claim: Prop. 33 harms Propert Owners making it impossible for them to earn a profit.
THAT IS FALSE
California courts have ruled that rent control policies are unconstitutional if they don't allow landlords to earn "a just and reasonable return on their property" ~ meaning any city that tries to force landlords to charge obviously unfeasible rents, such as $1 per month, could face legal challenges.
-Claim: Homelessness in California is up nearly 40% since 2019
THAT IS FALSE
The latest federally mandated census shows that there is an increase in the unhoused of 151k since 2019. Which is an increase of about 23%. Meaning it's bad but it ain't that bad.
-Claim: ‘Prop. 33 (eliminates) existing protections for seniors and veterans’
THAT IS FALSE
Prop 33 doesn't contain any language about seniors and veterans, and the law it would repeal, Costa Hawkins, doesn't either.
-Claim Prop 33 would repeal the strongest rent control law in the nation.
THAT IS FALSE
Governor Newsom signed a law in 2019 that caps rent increases in California at 5% plus the rate of inflation or maximum of 10%. This law expires in 2030. Prop33 does NOT repeal this law. It adds to it, stating that the state can not prohibit a city or county from expanding rent control.
*You've seen a bunch of ads about this proposition, most of them are misleading or straight out lies. Think about the number of ads you've seen. Who has the money to pay for those? California has the most expensive ad spend in the nation. If you're seeing an excessive amount of the same type of ad telling you which way to vote, understand that is coming from billionaires who have the money to spend to stay in power. BE WISE. Let's make California affordable again. VOTE YES on 33.
PROP 2: VOTE YES
Authorizes 10 billion bond to renovate/fix K-12 & Community Colleges
Who put it on the ballot?
California State Legislature
Supporters: Teachers Association, Community College League of California & More.
What is it?
Thousands of California school buildings are in poor shape, with leaky roofs, broken air conditioning, peeling paint, and other health and safety hazards. Unlike many other states, California does not pay for school repairs through a permanent funding stream. Money comes entirely from state and local bonds. The state’s last school facilities bond, a $15 billion proposal in 2020, failed, leaving the state’s school repair account nearly empty.
Affluent school districts can raise more money for repairs through local bonds because local property values are higher, thereby generating more money through local property taxes. Smaller and lower-income districts struggle to raise enough bond money to pay for school repairs, and often can’t pass local bonds at all. As a result, they rely entirely on state bond money. Opponents of this bill say that California should have an allotted funding stream for our schools. They are correct, we should. Put it on the ballot next election. In the meantime, our kids and teachers need these repairs, period.
PROP 3: NO RECOMMENDATION
Enshrines the right to same sex marriage in California. Removes Language From California Constitution that says marriage is between a man and a woman.
Who put it on the ballot?
California State Legislature
What is it?
Prop 3 updates the California State Constitution to align with the existing law that allows marriage for same-sex couples, reflecting current court decisions. Prop 3 removes previous language in the California State Constitution that stated that marriage is only between a man and a woman. Prop 3 replaces that language with a provision enshrining protections for same-sex couples.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE: This proposition respects freedom of religion in California. It would not change the existing rights of clergy and religious denominations to refuse to perform a marriage.
PROP 4: VOTE YES
Authorizes Bonds for Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention & Climate Risks.
Who put it on the ballot?
California State Legislature
Supporters: Clean Water Action; CALFIRE Firefighters; National Wildlife Federation; The Nature Conservancy
What is it?
Climate Change is REAL. But so is inflation......
Environmental groups and renewable energy advocates received 54 billion from voters in 2022. Then we had to scale back on that and they were left with 44 billion. Which they felt was not enough to handle the effects of climate change on our fair state. This is why they are back asking the voters for 10 billion (basically the money they lost due to budget changes).
About $3.8 billion would be spent on water projects — half to improve water quality, the remainder on protecting the state from floods and droughts, and other activities, including restoring rivers and lakes. The rest of the money would be spent on: wildfire and extreme heat projects, $1.95 billion; natural lands, parks, and wildlife projects, $1.9 billion; coastal lands, bays, and ocean protection, $1.2 billion; clean energy projects, $850 million; agricultural projects, $300 million. Which would cost taxpayers 16 billion over 40 years.
Sigh.... Liiiiisten, Imma go ahead and vote yes, but they better make this thing stretch cause momma can't keep handing out billions when the dye is cast on this. Meaning this is an EARTH issue. Not a state issue. And what happened to the 100 billion dollar surplus California had 2 years ago? Look...California can do the work to protect water and the consequences of climate change but voters can NOT continue to be asked to throw money at a global problem when our state legislators are wasting our taxpayer dollars with reckless spending.
PROP 5: VOTE NO
Amend the California constitution by lowering the required vote approval to 55% for bond funds used for affordable housing and infrastructure.
Who put it on the ballot?
Assembly Woman Cecilia Aguiar Curry
Supporters: League of Women Voters, California Housing Partnership & More.
What is it?
This is a bit of a red herring to me. It talks about using local bonds for affordable housing and public infrastructure (and that's true) but what this proposition is REALLY ABOUT is amending the California Constitution by lowering the required legislative approval from 66% to 55%. This would give the local government more control over funding affordable housing and infrastructure projects because they would need less approval from state assembly members.
But here's the thing, needing fewer people to approve of a bond may make bonds easier to get but that debt still falls on the taxpayer. Bonds aren't free. WE PAY FOR THEM. Taxpayers have to repay that amount WITH INTEREST. So with that understanding having a few guard rails in place seems reasonable. ESPECIALLY when our legislative leaders have taken a 100 billion dollar surplus and put us in a deficit with NO ACCOUNTABILITY on what they did with the money. Right now there is an audit, but what are the odds of tax payers getting that money back? Exactly! I like this idea of this proposition, I really do. But I no longer trust these folks. So until we get more accountability on our spending, this is going to be a HARD NO for me.
PROP 6: VOTE YES
Eliminates involuntary servitude for incarcerated persons.
Who put it on the ballot?
State Legislature
Supporters: ACLU California Action, Anti-Recidivism Coalition, California Black Legislative Caucus & More.
What is it?
Prohibits the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from punishing incarcerated persons for refusing a work assignment. Allows incarcerated persons to voluntarily accept work assignments in exchange for credit to reduce their sentences.
"Legislators considered a similar measure in 2022, but support tanked after the California Department of Finance estimated that it would cost about $1.5 billion annually to pay minimum wage to prisoners. This year’s amendment has the voluntary work program as a way to get around that issue. " - CAL MATTERS
So here's the thing. While I do not believe that prison should be a comfortable situation for offenders, I also understand that the great and best hope is that people who are serving time in prison will be rehabilitated and be productive members of society. I am FOR anything that helps in that effort. This proposition was recommended by a state-appointed reparations task force, in the hope of creating a system where justice is served with equity, and offenders are rehabilitated. I am voting YES.
PROP 32: VOTE YES
Would raise the minimum wage to $17 for the remainder of 2024, and $18 an hour starting in January 2025 — a bump from the current $16.
Who put it on the ballot?
Petition Signatures
Supported by: California Labor Federation, One Fair Wage, United Farm Workers & More.
What is it?
In 2022, California became the first state to reach a $15 minimum wage — a figure long fought for by unions and restaurant workers. But labor activists say the state’s sky-high cost of living has already made that standard barely livable. According to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, even in the cheapest California county (Modoc), a single adult with no children would need to make at least $20.32 an hour to comfortably afford the basics. The statewide average? $27.32.
But what about small business owners?!
This law allows California to have different minimum wages. Employers with 26 or more employers would have a minimum wage of $18 per hour. Employers with 25 or fewer employers would have a minimum wage of $17 per hour.
This may slightly decrease income tax and sales tax revenues because it would change incomes and prices. Which means state and local government revenues would be lower due to lower incomes for business owners.
PROP 34:
Restricts spending of prescription drug revenues.
Who put it on the ballot?
Petition Signatures
Supported by: California Apartment Association, ALS Association, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
What is it?
What you need to know about this is, IT IS NOT A REAL THING. It's Billionaires having a fight and using our elections as the boxing ring.
"Since 1992, federal law has given health care providers a deal: Serve low-income and at-risk patients and get a discount on pharmaceuticals. Providers that make use of this program can turn around and sell those drugs at retail rates. Their profits can then be used to expand their healthcare services to disadvantaged groups.
The measure would also put into law a Newsom administration policy that requires all state agencies to negotiate for lower drug prices as a single entity." -CAL MATTERS
But the interesting thing is this proposition doesn’t apply to all providers . It only applies to those that spend at least $100 million on expenses other than direct care, who also own and operate apartment buildings and that have racked up at least 500 severe health and safety violations in the last decade.
And that only applies to one organization: The AIDS Healthcare Foundation owned by billionaire Michael Weinstein.
So here's the thing, a lot of politicians and housing interest groups really don’t like Michael Weinstein. Weinstein is the longtime president of the Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation, and under his leadership, the foundation has become a major player in state and local housing politics. It has poured tens of millions of dollars into two statewide rent control measures. Which makes billion dollar corporations who own said residential properties hate him.
This is not a proposition, it's a vendetta against a liberal billionaire that conservative lobbyists loathe. It's like being invited to an awkward Thanksgiving at your friends house while their family is hurling insults at one another and all you wanna do is EAT. So let's get to the part of how this may affect YOU. If you are on medicaid, this proposition may cut the cost of prescription drugs for Medi-Cal patients by permanently authorizing the state of California to negotiate lower Medi-Cal prescription drug costs. But at the end of the day, this proposition is drama on the set of 'The Bored Billionaires of Hollywood', and if I were you I'd skip this episode. (Personally I am voting No).
PROP 35: NO RECOMMENDATION
Permanent tax on Managed Care Health Insurance Plans.
Who put it on the ballot?
The coalition of doctors, hospitals and clinics gathered signatures to place this issue on the ballot want the tax revenue to go toward increased payments.
What is it?
Prop 35 would require the state to use the money from a tax on Medi-Cal, (the public insurance program for low-income Californians and people with disabilities), to increase the pay healthcare workers receive for service. The revenue would go to primary and specialty care, emergency services, family planning, mental health and prescription drugs. It would also prevent legislators from using the tax revenue to replace existing state Medi-Cal spending. Over the next four years, it is projected to generate upwards of $35 billion.
Lawmakers have dramatically expanded Medi-Cal in the past 10 years to include all low-income residents regardless of citizenship. Today, more than 14 million Californians — roughly a third of the state population — use Medi-Cal. Over the same time period, payments to doctors and other Medi-Cal providers have increased only incrementally if at all. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, California’s reimbursement rate falls in the bottom third nationally. As a result, many providers won’t treat Medi-Cal patients.
So...this is basically about Doctors wanting their fair share. And if they do not receive this, they will probably continue to decline Medical patients.
*Newsom opposes the measure because he says the tax revenue should be available to lawmakers to balance the budget if needed.
PROP 36: VOTE NO
Changes the law to be able to increase sentences for drug and theft crimes.
Who put it on the ballot?
Petition Signatures
Supported by: Walmart, Target, Home Depot, California District Attorneys Association
What is it?
Proposition 47, sought to reduce California’s prison overcrowding by making some theft and drug crimes misdemeanors. During the pandemic, the rate of shoplifting and commercial burglaries skyrocketed, especially in Los Angeles, Alameda, San Mateo and Sacramento counties.
The Public Policy Institute of California found that reported shoplifting of merchandise worth up to $950 soared to 28% over the past five years. So now big box retailers like Walmart, Target and Home Depot want some recompense. They've gotten together and funded this bill that will make going to your neighborhood super store and walking out with un paid product a felony instead of a misdemeanor.
Robbery is not okay. But this law allows felony sentences for theft or damage of property to be lengthened up to 3 years. It requires people who possess illegal drugs to be charged with felonies instead of misdemeanors, and to serve that time in prison. It allows courts to charge those same people with murder if the drugs they were using were the cause of death for anyone.
The people AGAINST this proposition are Police Chief's, D.A's and Victim Advocate groups. This proposition goes TOO FAR. It is a one size fits all prison approach that makes stealing a candy bar a felony charge. This proposition is not a smart solution, by making simple drug possession a felony it will send thousands to state prison. And guess who gets to pay for that? YOU and ME, the tax payers. Nope!
LOS ANGELES MEASURES
Measure A- Vote YES
A Sales Tax Hike to pay for housing and homeless services.
Reduce Homelessness provide affordable housing. (Anyone sensing a theme?!).
Karen Bass launched her initiative entitled: INSIDE SAFE to give those living on the streets a safe place to say and connect them to resources to provide housing. IT HAS HAD A ROCKY START. And has only dropped the homeless rate 10%. As of July, more people had returned to homelessness from Inside Safe than were permanently housed at the time. The challenge has been getting folks the resources they need, drug counseling, mental health services etc...as well as the cost of hotel rooms on tax payers.
I like Bass. Her program has had an unforeseen amount of growing pains because the attempt was flawed. Homelessness is not just about housing. It is also very much about providing needed mental health, drug addiction and domestic violence services. That said, they are learning from their mistakes and there has been a SLOW but marked improvement. This is her shot to put our tax dollars where her professed platform is. It is a gamble, we are trusting her to keep her word and significantly reduce the homeless problem. I'm willing to take the gamble because we are in a crisis. If she does not perform then she should not be reelected. But if she does she will have created an amazing legacy.
Measure E- NO RECOMMENDATION
Raise local taxes to pay for Fire Services.
Measure E is only for voters who live in unincorporated county communities such as Hacienda Heights and Topanga, and 60 cities who contract with the L.A. County Fire Department and are part of the county’s Consolidated Fire Protection District.
Residents who live in bigger cities such as Los Angeles, Long Beach, Pasadena, Glendale or Burbank, and some smaller ones, are not affected.
Measure G- Vote YES
“L.A. County government under represents and underserves its people. Measure G on the Nov. 5 ballot would change that. It would expand the Board of Supervisors to nine, shrinking the size of the massive districts and giving county residents a greater voice. It would create an independently elected executive — in effect, a county mayor — who can respond to challenges and crises more quickly than the board. It would for the first time create a county ethics commission….These changes are long overdue. The Times recommends a Yes vote on county Measure G.” -Cal Matters
COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY
No Recommendation.
I have researched both men and find both of them credible. It truly depends on what style of leadership you are lookin for.
-Gascon, is a progressive who instituted sweeping changes in the nation’s most populous county — largely ending cash bail, banning his prosecutors from seeking the death penalty and rejecting the use of many sentencing enhancements.
-Hochman is a moderate who will eliminate Gascon’s prohibition of the use of strikes, sentencing enhancements, and special allegations. These laws were created to add additional prison time for the most violent crimes and the most violent offenders. He also says that, not all crimes deserve jail time. "In fact, the justice system has a powerful opportunity to intervene and prevent future offenses if it acts with caring and compassion and provides a path to success for first-time, non-violent offenders." - Nathan Hochman
SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE ENDORSEMENTS
Office No. 39: George A. Turner
Office No. 48: Ericka Wiley
Office No. 97: Sharon Ransom
Office No. 135: Georgia Huerta
Office No.137: Tracey M. Blount
Candidates for Community College District Member:
SEAT 1: Andra Hoffman
SEAT 3: David Vela
SEAT 5: Nichelle M. Henderson
SEAT 7: Kelsey IIno
Link to Info on Candidates for Community College District Member:
HAPPY VOTING!
Much Love,
Erin :-)
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