Read about the California Propositions
With November almost here, it should not be forgotten there is more on the ballot than just two presidential candidates. For all Ventura County residents, there are 12 California propositions to vote on.
Proposition 14: AUTHORIZES BONDS CONTINUING STEM CELL RESEARCH. INITIATIVE STATUTE.
Yes – The state would sell $5.5 billion in general obligation bond backed by credit and taxing power for stem cell research.
No – The state will not sell $5.5 billion in general obligation bonds.
Prop 15: INCREASES FUNDING SOURCES FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY COLLEGES, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES BY CHANGING TAX ASSESSMENT OF COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
Yes – Property taxes on most commercial properties worth more than $3 million will be enforced in order to provide new funding to local governments and schools.
No – Property taxes will stay the same on commercial properties and local governments and schools would not get new funding.
Prop 16: ALLOWS DIVERSITY AS A FACTOR IN PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, AND CONTRACTING DECISIONS. LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
Yes – State and local entities will consider race, sex, color, ethnicity, and national orgin in public education, employment and contracting.
No – The status quo of no consideration of race, sex, color, ethnicity and national origin in public education, employment, and contracting.
Prop 17: RESTORES RIGHT TO VOTE AFTER COMPLETION OF PRISON TERM. LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
Yes – People on state parole who are U.S. citizens, at least 18 years of age and residents of California will be able to vote if they register.
No – People who are on state parole would continue to be unable to vote in California.
Prop 18: AMENDS CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION TO PERMIT 17-YEAR-OLDS TO VOTE IN PRIMARY AND SPECIAL ELECTIONS IF THEY WILL TURN 18 BY THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION AND BE OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE. LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
Yes – Eligible 17 year olds who will be 18 by the time of the next general election will be allowed to vote in the primary election and any other special elections before the general election.
No – No one younger than 18 years of age may vote in any type of election.
Prop 19: CHANGES CERTAIN PROPERTY TAX RULES. LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
Yes – All homeowners who are over 55 are eligible for property tax savings once they have moved but only inherited properties used as primary homes or farms will be eligible for property tax savings.
No – Only some homeowners would continue to be eligible for property tax savings when they move. The inherited properties continue to be eligible for property tax savings.
Prop 20: RESTRICTS PAROLE FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES CURRENTLY CONSIDERED TO BE NON-VIOLENT. AUTHORIZES FELONY SENTENCES FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES CURRENTLY TREATED ONLY AS MISDEMEANORS. INITIATIVE STATUTE.
Yes – People who committed theft-related crimes would receive an increased penalty such as longer jail times. Other factors would be considered for California’s process for releasing certain inmates from prison early. DNA would be collected by law enforcement from adults convicted of certain misdemeanors.
No – Penalities for those who commit theft-related crimes would not be increased and the status quo of law enforcement taking DNA samples from adults only if they are arrested for a felony, or registered as sex offenders or arsonists will stay.
Prop 21: EXPANDS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS’ AUTHORITY TO ENACT RENT CONTROL ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. INITIATIVE STATUTE.
Yes – State law allows cities and counties to apply more rent control to more properties than under current law.
No – State law would maintain current limits concerning rent control laws.
Prop 22: EXEMPTS APP-BASED TRANSPORTATION AND DELIVERY COMPANIES FROM PROVIDING EMPLOYEE BENEFITS TO CERTAIN DRIVERS. INITIATIVE STATUTE.
Yes – Drivers would be hired as independent contractors by app-based rideshare. These drivers could decide when, where, and how much to work but would not receive standard benefits and protections that the business provides to their actual employees.
No
- Drivers would be hired by app-based rideshare companies as employees
- less choice as to where and when and how much they work but would receive stand benefits and protections of the company.
Prop 23: ESTABLISHES STATE REQUIREMENTS FOR KIDNEY DIALYSIS CLINICS. REQUIRES ON-SITE MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL. INITIATIVE STATUTE.
Yes – Chronic dialysis clinic would require a doctor on site during all treatment hours.
No – No doctor would be required on site during treatment hours at dialysis clinics.
Prop 24: AMENDS CONSUMER PRIVACY LAWS. INITIATIVE STATUTE.
Yes – Existing consumer data privacy rights and laws will be expanded, businesses are required to meet the new privacy requirements, a new state agency and the state’s Department of Justice would be responsible for overseeing these laws.
No – Businesses would continue to be required to follow current privacy laws.
Prop 25 – REFERENDUM ON LAW THAT REPLACED MONEY BAIL WITH SYSTEM BASED ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND FLIGHT RISK.
Yes – No one would pay bail to be released from jail before trial. People would only be released based on assessed risk of committing another crime or not appearing in court or released automatically.
No – Some people would be released from jail before trial and others would continue to be released without paying any of the bail.
