With less than a week left before Election Day 2012, the amount of political mailers and robocalls voters get continue to increase.
Confused on which proposition is which? Not sure how to vote?
Every year Mountain View's Pete Stahl rates the positions and he's organized them this way:
- Taxes and Budget: 30, 31, 38, 39
- Criminal Law: 34, 35, 36
- Commerce: 33, 37
- Gratuitous Ballot Clutter: 40
If you want to read the positions of other non-partisan groups follow this handy Proposition Voter Guide, with links, briefs and local opinion about each proposition to help you make an informed decision at the polls on Nov. 6
Nonpartisan Websites
California Choices- Includes an endorsements table featuring where non-profits, newspapers, unions and political parties stand on each proposition.
Maplight.org - Includes in-depth campaign spending information.
Propositions
Proposition 30: Temporary Taxes to Fund State Programs
Voters will face two, some say conflicting, tax measures on this year’s ballot. The first is supported by Governor Jerry Brown and is also known as the Schools and Local Public Safety Protection Act. The measure is intended to help close the state’s budget gap and fund schools.
The act would raise the personal income tax rate for people who make more than $250,000 a year. Individuals who make less than $250,000 a year and couples who make less than $500,000 a year will not see an increase. The ballot measure would also raise the state sales tax by a quarter cent for the next four years.
The money raised from the tax hike is expected to generate $6.6 billion for education. If voters reject it, a series of trigger cuts that will result in a nearly $5.4 billion hit to education will be enforced.
Click here for more information on Proposition 30.
Patch Articles on Proposition 30:
- Deciphering Prop. 30 vs. 38
- Democratic Party Picks State Ballot Measures to Support
- California Republicans Oppose Proposed Tax Measures
- Teachers Ride Caltrain in Favor of Prop 30 and Against Prop 32 Monday
Proposition 31: State Budget
This proposition would allow local governments and school districts create plans to coordinate how public services are provided. These plans include areas of public health and safety, education, social services, and economic development. Governing boards for the county, school district and city must approve the plans. The proposition would allow local governments flexibility on how state-funded programs are administered and how property taxes are transferred.
The proposition would also place restrictions on Legislature’s ability to increase or decrease state revenue and when they can pass bills.
Click here for more information on Proposition 31.
Patch Articles and Local Voices on Proposition 31
- Democratic Party Picks State Ballot Measures to Support
- California Republicans Oppose Proposed Tax Measure
Proposition 32: Political Contributions
This measure seeks to reform campaign finance rules in three key ways. The first would ban employee paycheck reductions for “political purposes.” The second would prevent corporations and unions from making direct contributions to state and local candidates or the committees that fund them.
The third would forbid government contractors to contribute to elected officials who were involved in the process that awarded them the contract. This would keep the contractors from contributing while that contract is under consideration or is in effect.
Click here for more information on Proposition 32.
Patch Articles on Proposition 32
- Poll: Should Labor Unions Lose Paycheck Deductions for Political Spending?
- County Board of Supervisors Vote to Oppose Prop. 32
- Teachers Ride Caltrain in Favor of Prop 30 and Against Prop 32 Monday
Proposition 33: Auto Insurance Rates
Prop. 33 would change state law to allow insurance companies to set prices based on whether the driver previously carried auto insurance with any insurance company. Drivers who have not had prior, continuous coverage could be charge higher rates, while those who have had coverage could receive discounts.
Click here for more information on Proposition 33.
Patch Articles on Proposition 33
- Insurance Industry-Backed Proposition on California Ballot
Proposition 34: Death Penalty Repeal
Prop. 34 would repeal the death penalty and replace it with life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. This would also affect individuals currently sentenced to death. According to the proposition, the measure would create a $100 million fund for law enforcement efforts.
Click here for more information on Proposition 34.
Patch Articles on Proposition 34
- Voter Guide: Propositions 34 and 36
Proposition 35: Human Trafficking/Sex Offender
Proposition 35 would increase prison sentences and fines for human trafficking. A conviction for human trafficking would be require the offender to register as a sex offender.
Click here for more information on Proposition 35.
Patch Articles on Proposition 35
- Democratic Party Picks State Ballot Measures to Support
- California Republicans Oppose Proposed Tax Measures
Proposition 36: Three Strikes Law
This measure would change California's current "Three Strikes" law by imposing a life sentence only when the crime committed is a serious, violent crime. This could allow some offenders with two prior serious or violent felony convictions, and currently serving life sentences for nonserious, non-violent felony convictions, serve shorter prison terms. This would not affect felons with prior convictions of murder, rape, or the sexual abuse of children.
Click here for more information on Proposition 36.
Patch Articles on Proposition 36
- Voter Guide: Propositions 34 and 36
Proposition 37: Genetically Modified Foods
Prop. 37 would require labeling alerting consumers of any raw or processed food made from genetically-modified plants and animals. Genetically engineered food cannot be marketed as "natural” under the measure, although certain foods are exempted from this measure.
Click here for more information on Proposition 37.
Patch Articles on Proposition 37
- Prop. 37: Should Genetically Modified Foods Be Denoted in Labels?
- Poll: Is Prop 37 a Smart Recipe for Food Consumers?
Proposition 38: Molly Munger’s Tax Proposal
This second tax rate measure would increase the state income tax rates for most Californians on a sliding scale, resulting in projected increased revenues of about $10 billion a year, according to California Choices. Revenues would go to K-12 schools and early childhood programs, as well as some of the state’s debt. If voters pass both Propositions 30 and 38, the proposition with the most votes will pass.
Click here for more information on Proposition 38.
Patch Articles and Local Voices on Proposition 38
- Deciphering Prop. 30 vs. 38
- Blog: Another Pop Quiz on Proposition 38
- Democratic Party Picks State Ballot Measures to Support
- California Republicans Oppose Proposed Tax Measures
Proposition 39: Multistate Business Tax
According to California Choices, Prop. 39 would throw out an existing law allowing multistate businesses to choose a “tax liability formula that provides favorable tax treatment for businesses with property and payroll outside California.” Multistate businesses’ California income tax liability will be determined based on the percentage of their sales in California. Increased revenue is intended to fund energy efficiency projects and clean energy jobs.
Click here for more information on Proposition 39.
Patch Articles on Proposition 39
- Prop. 39 Seeks to Close $1B Tax Loophole for Multi-State Corporations
Proposition 40: Redistricting
Prop. 40 is a referendum on the California State Senate redistricting plan approved by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission. If the proposition does not pass, the districts will be determined by officials under the California Supreme Court.
Click here for more information on Proposition 40.
Patch Local Voices on Proposition 40
- Craig and Lou at the ballot box: Proposition 40 – Director's cut ending
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