FUNDING FOR K–12 SCHOOL
AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
FACILITIES.
NO. While we advocate highly for school funding, especially to upgrade our current schools and build new ones, we noticed immediately that this was backed by the Builder's Association. We felt that this prop was a "money-grab" by developers, but more importantly, there is no priority placed on under-served schools or enough local control of the funds received.
MEDIāCAL HOSPITAL FEE PROGRAM.
YES. This is an extension of a current program already in place that helps fund medical care for the most vulnerable in our society. Voting yes would make the program the law indefintiely and continue to bring in funds that we need to help senior citizens, children, and low income people who need to have healthcare.
STATEWIDE VOTER APPROVAL ON REVENUE BONDS.
NO. There are two major issues here. First, this proposition is backed by a wealthy individual who has been openly against some of the state's larger spending projects. Secondly, in the event of a natural disaster, anywhere in the state, could lead to delays in rebuilding while we wait for an election to vote on providing more funding.
TRANSPARENCY IN LEGISLATIVE
PROCEEDINGS.
UNDECIDED. While we were extremely interested in having higher transparency and access to more information about our legislation before it gets passed, many people raised concerns about the counter-effect, namely having legislation be slowed down in pace and harder to get through, not only because of a 72 hour delay, but a change in legislator's actions from being pushed into more transparency.
TAX EXTENSION TO FUND EDUCATION AND HEALTHCARE.
YES. This is another extension of a current program already in place that taxes people making over $250,000 a year. This proposition would extend that tax from 2019-2030 and it's used primarily to fund schools & healthcare for the disadvantaged, but can also be used on debt payments and budget reserves. Basically, progressives always vote to tax the rich.
CIGARETTE TAX INCREASE.
YES. We did recognize this as a regressive tax that may end up disproportionately affecting the working class; however, given that California already has one of the lowest cigarette taxes in the country and that it could produce $710 million to $1 billion in revenue for Medi-Cal, we all agreed that the priority is health & health care and discouraging as many people to become smokers as possible.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM FOR
NONVIOLENT & JUVENILES
YES. Prison reform is a must all over this country. This will allow nonviolent offenders to get out or spend less time in jail and more importantly, changes the factors in whether or not a juvenile should be tried as an adult. There are currently 30,000 people in the justice system that would be immediately affected.
MULTILINGUAL EDUCATION
YES. Children deserve to be able to continue to learn while becoming proficient in English and, alternately, English speaking children do not learn a second language early enough in this country compared to other industrialized nations. This is a step in the right direction to making sure all children are receiving an equal education and opportunities.
OVERTURN CITIZENS UNITED
YES. This isn't a law as much as a resolution which, if we vote yes, tells our elected representatives to "propose and ratify an amendment to the federal Constitution overturning the United States Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission."
REFORMS TO REGULATION AND
OVERSIGHT OF PORNOGRAPHY.
YES. This was controversial and not everyone voted yes. However, given that every other industry is required to follow safety regulations and has liabilities in regards to lawsuits, it did not seem unfair to require the same of the sex work industry. More importantly, we should do everything we can to protect vulnerable men & women who may be in the trade unwillingly.
STATE WILL NOT PAY MORE THAN V.A. DEPT FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.
YES. Even though there were concerns regarding Big Pharma eliminating certain prescriptions and/or raising the prices on the V.A. Dept (which are negotiated), we need to take a stand against the exploitation of the pharmaceutical industry and California has a very large portion of the country's economic power. Would Big Pharma close the door on 39 million people?
REPEAL THE DEATH PENALTY.
YES. Just like Bernie said, there's enough killing in this world, the government shouldn't be a part of killing it's own. It also allows inmates to earn more so that victim's and their families will get some monetary restitution.
BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR
AMMUNITION PURCHASES.
YES. There were a few against it because California already has the strictest gun laws in the nation and this would be "over doing it." However, the majority of us felt that having background checks for ammo would be a welcome addition to our current firearm laws. In addition, this law creates a new court process for removing firearms from prohibited persons after they are convicted.
YES. Bottom line: It's time. Let's tax and regulate and keep so, so, so many people, especially people of color, out of jail. With recreational use allowed in other states, it's time for the rest of us to follow suit so that we can change the law federally and start prioritizing our resources.
LEGALIZE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA.
PAPER BAG FEES GO INTO A
WILDLIFE/ENVIRONMENT FUND.
NO. We love the environment but this is an extremely non-descript law backed by the plastics industry that is looking to deny stores the revenue of single use paper bags and redirect the money to a new environmental fund which is barely outlined in the initiative.
"REFORM" DEATH PENALTY.
NO. This would keep the death penalty in place and brings new procedures forward to make it
happen faster, stops "endless" repeals, and forces appointed attorneys to accept death penalty convictions. We don't believe in state sponsored killing, so we don't believe in Prop 66.
BAN ON SINGLE USE PLASTIC BAGS.
YES. Plastic bags are detrimental to the environment and wildlife. Californian's were using upwards of 400 plastic bags a year EACH- that's 15 BILLION plastic bags that go into landfills, water sources and wildlife habitats. Let's get this state using reusable bags!!!