Figured it wouldn't be a terrible thing get discussions going about the propositions on the ballot for the November election in California.
Official voter guide:
CA Democrat endorsements:
CA GOP endorsements:
Progressive voter guide:
Summaries:
Prop 14: Expansion of stem cell research funding
Prop 15: Tax commercial and industrial properties based on market value instead of purchase price, increase funding for schools
Prop 16: Reinstate affirmative action for public education, employment, and contracting
Prop 17: Restores right of parolees to vote
Prop 18: Lets 17-year-olds vote in primaries if they're 18 before the general election
Prop 19: Modifies property tax rules for homeowners that are over 55, disabled, or disaster victims
Prop 20: Restricts parole for certain non-violent offenses, turns some misdemeanors into felonies, allows collection of DNA samples for certain misdemeanors
Prop 21: Authorizes local rent control on residential property
Prop 22: Exempts app-based transport companies from providing employment benefits
Prop 23: Modifies state requirements for dialysis clinics
Prop 24: Expands CCPA privacy laws
Prop 25: Removes the current money bail system in California
Official voter guide:
Propositions | Official Voter Information Guide | California Secretary of State
Official Voter Information Guide, November 3, 2020, California General Election.
voterguide.sos.ca.gov
CA Democrat endorsements:
CA GOP endorsements:
Progressive voter guide:
Courage California Voter Guide
With Courage we can make sure our democracy works for ALL Californians
progressivevotersguide.com
Summaries:
Prop 14: Expansion of stem cell research funding
Authorizes $5.5 billion state bonds for: stem cell and other medical research, including training; research facility construction; administrative costs. Dedicates $1.5 billion to brain-related diseases. Appropriates General Fund moneys for repayment. Expands related programs. Fiscal Impact: Increased state costs to repay bonds estimated at about $260 million per year over the next roughly 30 years.
Prop 15: Tax commercial and industrial properties based on market value instead of purchase price, increase funding for schools
Taxes such properties based on current market value, instead of purchase price. Fiscal Impact: Increased property taxes on commercial properties worth more than $3 million providing $6.5 billion to $11.5 billion in new funding to local governments and schools.
Prop 16: Reinstate affirmative action for public education, employment, and contracting
Permits government decision-making policies to consider race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in order to address diversity by repealing constitutional provision prohibiting such policies. Fiscal Impact: No direct fiscal effect on state and local entities. The effects of the measure depend on the future choices of state and local government entities and are highly uncertain.
Prop 17: Restores right of parolees to vote
Restores voting rights upon completion of prison term to persons who have been disqualified from voting while serving a prison term. Fiscal Impact: Annual county costs, likely in the hundreds of thousands of dollars statewide, for voter registration and ballot materials. One-time state costs, likely in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, for voter registration cards and systems.
Prop 18: Lets 17-year-olds vote in primaries if they're 18 before the general election
Fiscal Impact: Increased statewide county costs likely between several hundreds of thousands of dollars and $1 million every two years. Increased one-time costs to the state of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Prop 19: Modifies property tax rules for homeowners that are over 55, disabled, or disaster victims
Allows homeowners who are over 55, disabled, or wildfire/disaster victims to transfer primary residence's tax base to replacement residence. Changes taxation of family-property transfers. Establishes fire protection services fund. Fiscal Impact: Local governments could gain tens of millions of dollars of property tax revenue per year, probably growing over time to a few hundred million dollars per year. Schools could receive similar property tax gains.
Prop 20: Restricts parole for certain non-violent offenses, turns some misdemeanors into felonies, allows collection of DNA samples for certain misdemeanors
Limits access to parole program established for non-violent offenders who have completed the full term of their primary offense by eliminating eligibility for certain offenses. Fiscal Impact: Increase in state and local correctional, court, and law enforcement costs likely in the tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on implementation.
Prop 21: Authorizes local rent control on residential property
Allows local governments to establish rent control on residential properties over 15 years old. Local limits on rate increases may differ from statewide limit. Fiscal Impact: Overall, a potential reduction in state and local revenues in the high tens of millions of dollars per year over time. Depending on actions by local communities, revenue losses could be less or more.
Prop 22: Exempts app-based transport companies from providing employment benefits
Classifies app-based drivers as "independent contractors," instead of "employees," and provides independent-contractor drivers other compensation, unless certain criteria are met. Fiscal Impact: Minor increase in state income taxes paid by rideshare and delivery company drivers and investors.
Prop 23: Modifies state requirements for dialysis clinics
Requires physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant on site during dialysis treatment. Prohibits clinics from reducing services without state approval. Prohibits clinics from refusing to treat patients based on payment source. Fiscal Impact: Increased state and local government costs likely in the low tens of millions of dollars annually.
Prop 24: Expands CCPA privacy laws
Permits consumers to: prevent businesses from sharing personal information, correct inaccurate personal information, and limit businesses' use of "sensitive personal information," including precise geolocation, race, ethnicity, and health information. Establishes California Privacy Protection Agency. Fiscal Impact: Increased annual state costs of at least $10 million, but unlikely exceeding low tens of millions of dollars, to enforce expanded consumer privacy laws. Some costs would be offset by penalties for violating these laws.
Prop 25: Removes the current money bail system in California
A "Yes" vote approves, and a "No" vote rejects, law replacing money bail with system based on public safety and flight risk. Fiscal Impact: Increased costs possibly in mid hundreds of millions of dollars annually for a new process for release from jail prior to trial. Decreased county jail costs, possibly in high tens of millions of dollars annually.