California November 2014 Propositions

We have six statewide propositions on this ballot.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 4th. You can also vote before then at Early Voting locations. Check your sample ballot, or ask your county's Registrar of Voters to find out where. For instance, in Alameda County you can vote at the Registrar's office in downtown Oakland, among other places.

If you are not registered to vote, you can fix that by filling out a simple form on the Secretary of State's web site. No paper required! Register by October 20th to vote in this election.

[1] [2] [45] [46] [47] [48] [D] [E] [L] [BB]

YES Prop. 1: Water Bond
This is a $7.5 billion bond to improve water systems in California, which we need. It does not include the reincarnated Peripheral Canal that Governor Brown has been pushing. It may make it easier to pass the Canal later, but that's not enough reason to vote against it. A cautious yes.
YES Prop. 2: State Budget
Establishes a rainy day fund to ease future budget problems.
? Prop. 45: Healthcare Insurance

? Prop. 46: Drug Testing Doctors / Malpractice lawsuits
These are both good examples of the kind of thing that should not be on the ballot. I know I am not qualified to decide them, and that applies a fortiori to the general populace. I will probably vote NO to express my objection to their existence, but really I have no idea. I will say that both of these would be irrelevant if we had single-payer health care.
YES Prop. 47: Criminal Sentences
Reduces some property and drug crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. Property crimes above $950 would remain felonies. Not that important to most people; hugely important to those serving felony time for minor drug offenses, since they could get their sentences reduced. And saving hundreds of millions of dollars per year in costs is kind of a big deal too.
DGAS Prop. 48: Indian Gambling AGAIN
I thought we had handled this. Why does it keep coming up for a vote? In any case my position remains the same: I don't gamble, and I don't care whether or how you gamble, as long as it's not down the block from me. Knock yourself out.

And here are a few local issues.

YES Berkeley Measure D: Sugary Soda Tax

YES San Francisco Measure E: Sugary Soda Tax
Because kids with diabetes.
NO San Francisco Measure L: Restore Automobile Supremacy
Misleadingly titled "Restore Transportation Balance", this is actually an attempt to roll back San Francisco's "Transit First" policy. It's just an advisory measure with no force of law, but San Franciscans should vote it down anyway.
YES Alameda County Measure BB: Transportation Funding
Extends and expands funding for mass transit, bike and pedestrian paths, and yes even good old cars.

Secretary of State's voter information page.
Another propositions rating page.
My recommendations for the November 2012, June 2012, November 2010, June 2010, 2008, 2006, 2005, and 2004 propositions.
Back to Jef's page.
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