Showing posts with label California Initiatives. Show all posts
Showing posts with label California Initiatives. Show all posts

Sunday, September 23, 2018

VOTE REPUBLICAN ON NOVEMBER 6th!
CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN PARTY ENDORSEMENTS & RECOMMENDATIONS
Plus CFRW Analysis & Recommendations Plus Judges

Prop 1: Housing and Veteran's Housing Bond
CFRW Position: NO


Official Summary: Authorizes $4 billion of state general obligation bonds to fund existing housing programs. Includes $1.5 billion for Multifamily Housing Program for low-income residents, $1 billion for loans to help veterans purchase farms and homes, $450 million for infill and transit- oriented housing projects, $300 million for farmworker housing program, and $300 million for manufactured and mobile homes. Provides housing assistance for buyers, infrastructure financing, and matching grants to expand affordable housing stock. Increased state costs to repay bonds averaging about $170 million annually over the next 35 years

Our Rationale: This will be billed as a Vet Housing bond... it is only in part. 1/4 of the bond funds are dedicated to veterans' housing. The rest is doled out to programs that won't do much, if anything, to address our housing crisis. The legislature could have truly made this a bond for veterans' housing... but they didn't. Instead the taxpayer will be on the hook for $7 billion dollars.

Prop 2: Millionaire's Tax Reallocation to Homeless Housing
CFRW Position: NO


Official Summary: Ratifies existing law establishing the No Place Like Home Program, which finances permanent housing for individuals with mental illness who are homeless or at risk for chronic homelessness, as being consistent with the Mental Health Services Act approved by the electorate. Ratifies issuance of up to $2 billion in previously authorized bonds to finance the No Place Like Home Program. Amends the Mental Health Services Act to authorize transfers of up to $140 million annually from the existing Mental Health Services Fund to the No Place Like Home Program, with no increase in taxes.

Our Rationale: It is easy to see both sides of this reallocation of Prop 63 (2004) monies. Right now, the 1% tax on millionaire income is just sitting in a "mental health fund" and has contributed nothing in a decade to improving lives. The legislature virtually unanimously approved the No Place Like Home Act which would use the $2 billion sitting in the mental health fund to build temporary housing for the homeless who suffer from mental illness or those who are at risk of being homeless because of mental health issues. It's a tough call and truly an ideological one, but ultimately the CFRW Voting Body decided to oppose the measure, citing that the fund should be used for mental health programs, not homeless housing.

Prop 3: $8.9 Water Bond
CFRW Position: NO


Official Summary: Authorizes $8.877 billion in state general obligation bonds for various infrastructure projects: $3.03 billion for safe drinking water and water quality, $2.895 billion for watershed and fisheries improvements, $940 million for habitat protection, $855 million for improved water conveyance, $685 million for groundwater sustainability/ storage, and $472 million for surface water storage/dam repairs. Requires certain projects to provide matching funds from non-state sources; gives priority to disadvantaged communities. State costs of $17.3 billion to pay off principal ($8.9 billion) and interest ($8.4 billion) on bonds over a 40-year period. Annual payments would average $433 million.

Our Rationale: Again, another tough call. It is hard to justify another water bond, especially one with this price tag (total cost to taxpayers will be $17 billion). There is some to like in this bond- Oroville Dam repairs, groundwater infrastructure repairs and canal repairs for our Central Valley farmers... but there is more to dislike. The lion’s share of the bond monies would be for conservancy grants, regional and state parks, and what the state calls “disadvantaged
communities”. Very little is allocated to water storage or infrastructure.
The California Republican Party took a Neutral position. The CFRW Voting Body decided enough was enough, with $83 billion in outstanding bond debt and not a whole lot to show for it.

Prop 4: Children's Hospital Bond
CFRW Position: NO


Official Summary: Authorizes $1.5 billion in bonds, to be repaid from state’s General Fund, to fund grants for construction, expansion, renovation, and equipping of qualifying children’s hospitals. Designates 72 percent of funds to qualifying private nonprofit hospitals providing comprehensive services to high volumes of children eligible for governmental programs and children with special health needs eligible for the California Children’s Services program, 18 percent of funds to University of California general acute care children’s hospitals, and 10 percent of funds to public and private nonprofit hospitals providing services to children eligible for the California Children’s Services program. State costs of $2.9 billion to pay off principal ($1.5 billion) and interest ($1.4 billion) on bonds over a 35-year period. Annual payments would average $84 million.

Our Rationale: Children's hospitals have no problems fundraising privately. I suspect this is a money grab for several UC hospitals disguised as a Children's hospitals bond.

Prop 5: Senior Property Tax Transfer
CFRW Position: YES


Official Summary: Removes the following current requirements for homeowners who are over 55 years old or severely disabled to transfer their property tax base to a replacement residence: that replacement property be of equal or lesser value, replacement residence be in specific county, and the transfer occur only once. Removes similar replacement-value and location requirements on transfers for contaminated or disaster-destroyed property. Requires adjustments to the replacement property’s tax base, based on the new property’s value.

Our Rationale: This will strengthen Prop 13 protections for those over 55 buying homes. Their property tax value on their previous home will be transferred to their new home purchase, regardless of how many homes they own or how many times they've moved. In an era where Democrats are trying to chip away at Prop 13, this is one good way to protect it and encourage seniors to move so that their homes can be made available for young families.

Prop 6: Gas Tax Repeal
CFRW Position: YES


Official Summary: Repeals a 2017 transportation law’s tax and fee provisions that pay for repairs and improvements to local roads, state highways, and public transportation. Requires the Legislature to submit any measure enacting specified taxes or fees on gas or diesel fuel, or on the privilege to operate a vehicle on public highways, to the electorate for approval.

Our Rationale: The importance of this prop cannot be overstated. This single proposition could help us win other races across the state, even secure the House for Republicans. It is crucial we get the word out and support Prop 6! The fact of the matter is, the state has enough money in the General Fund to repair our roads and ease traffic through infrastructure, but the Democrats have siphoned off money for roads for three decades. SB 1 should have never been passed without voter approval first!

Prop 7: Permanent Daylight Savings
CFRW Position: NO


Official Summary: Establishes the time zone designated by federal law as “Pacific standard time” as the standard time within California. Provides that California daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. on the second Sunday of March and ends at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday of November, consistent with current federal law. Permits the Legislature by two-thirds vote to make future changes to California’s daylight saving time period, including for its year-round application, if changes are consistent with federal law.

Our Rationale: There are many more important measures on the ballot. We have a system that works and much more pressing matters affecting our state. This is not the proposition you want to spend any time educating on. Even if it’s passed, the legislature and the Federal Government would have to approve it. It's not worth our time (pun intended!).

Prop 8: Dialysis Clinic Revenue
CFRW Position: NO


Official Summary: Limits the charges to 115 percent of the costs for direct patient care and quality improvement costs, including training, patient education, and technology support. Requires rebates and penalties if charges exceed the limit. Requires annual reporting to the state regarding clinic costs, patient charges, and revenue. Prohibits clinics from refusing to treat patients based on the source of payment for care

Our Rationale:
This proposition is one of the most important ones but may get lost in the shuffle if we aren't careful. This is a thinly veiled power grab by the SEUI and UHW to unionize dialysis clinics. Voters won't understand the importance of this ballot box power play... so we must educate them. Prop 8 would mandate that if dialysis clinics make more than 115% of their costs, they must "payback" their patients’ payers. Consumers won't see any of the revenue, and this may make it more difficult for patients to receive care if clinics are forced to shut down. It is despicable. The ballot box is not the place to unionize.

(Prop 9 was taken off the ballot by the CA Supreme Court, so we skip to 10)

Prop 10: Local Rent Control
CFRW Position: NO


Official Summary: Repeals state law that currently restricts the scope of rent-control policies that cities and other local jurisdictions may impose. Allows policies that would limit the rental rates that residential-property owners may charge for new tenants, new construction, and single- family homes. In accordance with California law, provides that rent-control policies may not violate landlords’ right to a fair financial return on their rental property.

Our Rationale: Local, unelected "rent control boards" would wreak havoc on our local economies and would do nothing but make our housing crisis worse. This would shrink supply and repealing Costa-Hawkins would create a superficial bubble. It also does not allow landlords to bring a rental back to market value if it is vacated. The CRP said no to Prop 10 as well.

Prop 11: Ambulance Employee Paid Breaks
CFRW Position: YES


Official Summary: Makes labor law entitling hourly employees to take work breaks for meals and rest, without being on-call, inapplicable to private-sector emergency ambulance employees. Regulates timing of meal breaks for these employees. Eliminates employers’ liability—in actions pending on or after October 25, 2017—for violations of existing law regarding work breaks. Requires employers to provide training regarding certain emergency incidents, violence prevention, and mental health and wellness. Requires employers to provide employees certain mental-health services.

Our Rationale: This is good for the consumer and good for taxpayers by circumventing frivolous lawsuits. Prop 11 allows ambulatory companies to pay their employees for "on-call" breaks, instead of the mandated, unpaid hour-long breaks before and after their shifts that the unions love.

Prop 12: Space Requirements for Consumable Farm Animals
CFRW Position: NO


Official Summary: Establishes new minimum space requirements for confining veal calves, breeding pigs, and egg-laying hens. Requires egg-laying hens be raised in cage-free environment after December 31, 2021. Prohibits certain commercial sales of specified meat and egg products derived from animals confined in noncomplying manner. Defines sales violations as unfair competition. Creates good faith defense for sellers relying upon written certification by suppliers that meat and egg products comply with new confinement standards. Requires State of California to issue implementing regulations

Our Rationale: You may be thinking... didn't we already vote on chicken coop space? Why yes, yes we did. Back in 2008. But the Humane Society is coming back for more, just as all the farmers and ranchers complied with the original law. If they don't comply in time with Prop 12, they are banned from selling their meat or eggs. The Human Society sees dollar signs while the burden will be passed onto consumers. This may create shortages, frivolous lawsuits, and is unnecessarily burdensome on our farmers and ranchers who have already complied with the 2008 law.

_______________

Humboldt Republican Central Committee Endorsements:


These are the mayoral and council candidates officially endorsed by the Humboldt County Republican party.

No current endorsement
City of Eureka - Mayor

Anthony Mantova
City of Eureka - Councilmember, Ward 1

Jeannie Breslin
City of Eureka - Councilmember, Ward 3

Joe Bonino
City of Eureka - Councilmember, Ward 5

EUREKA MEASURES – ENDORSEMENTS

Measure O – DISCUSSION:

We do support a tax to finance public safety but not trails and roads and HACHR.
We request a sunset clause and a specific amount of money must be set aside for police and fire before anything else within the limits of the measure are funded.
We choose to see a clear and specific intent for monetary distribution written into the measure.
We do not support Measure O

Measure K – Sanctuary City Status: NO
Measure I – Roads Tax specifically for Eureka City roads: NO Vote
Measure J - Sales Tax Renewal – 1% sales tax to the General Fund for five years: NO
_______________

ADDED - VOTING FOR JUDGES:

A Humboldt County Voter Guide (Not the official recommendation of CAGOP or HRWF)

This Election 2018 Humboldt County Voter Guide will help you cut through the rhetoric, election propaganda and biased media coverage of the campaigns. This guide ranks every aspect of a candidate’s record according to experience, integrity and commitment to community.

Here you’ll find recommendations for:
Governor
Statewide Offices
Legislatures
Judges
Propositions and More!
Scroll down for our recommendations.

Don’t forget to ◼ https://www.electionforum.org/ra_subscribe/subscribe to Reality Alert for updates on critical issues, trends and policies affecting our freedoms and are impacting our economy, legislation, culture and election results. (You’ll find every issue loaded with information you won’t find elsewhere on the cultural war we are in, on Christian liberties, the persecution of Christians worldwide, the economy and social issues…and upcoming elections from candidates and propositions.)

Do you live in another county? ◼ linkGo to the list of counties here.

Let’s get started.

Ratings:
Every candidate is considered after thorough research; we also have a ◼ questionnaire for candidates to complete. Here is our rating system:

1. The best candidate. Our strongest endorsement.
2. Very good.
3. Acceptable.
4. Vote only to prevent worse candidate(s) from winning.
5. Terrible. Do Not Vote. All your other votes will count.

California Supreme Court

Court rating explanation (Be sure to click on this online to see the explanation.

California Supreme Court (Vote Yes/No)

Carol Corrigan: 7 (JI: 7, Q: 8) Yes
Leondra Kruger: 3 (JI: 3, Q: 3) No

California State Court of Appeal

Justice, California State Court of Appeal; First District (Vote Yes/No)

Division 1
Sandra Margulies: 7 (JI: 7, Q: 8) Yes
James M. Humes: 4 (JI: 2, Q: 6) No

Division 2
James Richman: 8 (JI: 8, Q: 8) Yes
Marla J. Miller: 4 (JI: 1, Q: 7) No

Division 3
Peter Siggins: 7 (JI:5, Q: 9) No

Division 4
Jon B. Streeter: 4 (JI: 2, Q: 7) No
Alison M. Tucher: 6 (JI: 3, Q:9) No

Division 5
Barbara J.R. Jones: 6 (JI: 5, Q: 8) Yes



Friday, September 21, 2018

Capitol Update Friday, September 21, 2018: CFRW Ballot Measure Recommendations

Bill Movement

Governor Brown still has 9 days to act on 600 bills outstanding on his desk. With the bills the CFRW has been tracking, there has been some movement. Some good, some bad. First, it should be mentioned that Governor Brown has become much more progressive in his last and final term. Suggesting a $400 million satellite to monitor climate change is enough evidence of that. So, his actions on many of these bills may not come as a surprise. Governor Brown signed AB 1884 (Calderon, D) and SB 1192 (Monning, D) into law earlier this week. As you will recall, AB 1884 is a ban on plastic straws being offered at restaurants, subjecting restaurants to fines if they are offered or given with drinks. SB 1192 is another burdensome regulation on our restaurant industry, which prohibits fast food restaurants from offering juice, soda, or flavored milk with children’s meals. The good news is that Governor Brown vetoed SB 1424 (Pan, D), which would have created a “social media advisory board” through our Attorney General’s office that would have sought to curb “fake news” proliferation on social media platforms. Luckily the Governor thought the creation of such a board would be superfluous. The legislative season is ending and the election looms near. It is time for Republican Women to shift their focus to voter education.
___________________

CFRW Ballot Measure Recommendations

The General Election is only 7 weeks away, and while that may seem like a long time (and to low-information voters, it is), the CFRW and our members must work to educate voters across our state. With 11 measures on the ballot, voter education is key. Below is a list of our ballot measure recommendations, but for many voters, that is not enough. ◼ CLICK HERE for ballot measures’ summaries, CFRW recommendations, and our rationale. Last week we went in-depth with Prop 1.... Each week leading up to the election we will highlight a proposition or two with in-depth analysis and reasoning for our recommendations. It is not enough to educate ourselves anymore, we must help Californians wake up to the corruption of Sacramento and their manipulation at the ballot box!

General Election Ballot Measures

Prop 1: Authorizes Bonds to Fund Specified Housing Assistance Programs- NO

Prop 2: Authorizes Bonds to Fund Existing Housing Program for Individuals with Mental Illness- NO

Prop 3: Authorizes Bonds to Fund Projects for Water Supply and Quality, Watershed, Fish, Wildlife, Water Conveyance, and Groundwater Sustainability and Storage- NO

Prop 4: Authorizes Bonds Funding Construction at Hospitals Providing Children's Healthcare- NO

Prop 5: Changes Requirements for Certain Property Owners to Transfer Their Property Tax Base to Replacement Property- YES

Prop 6: Eliminates Certain Road Repair and Transportation Funding, Requires Certain Fuel Taxes and Vehicle Fees be Approved by The Electorate- YES

Prop 7: Conforms California Daylight Saving Time to Federal Law, Allows the Legislature to Change Daylight Saving Time Period- NO

Prop 8: Regulates Amount Kidney Dialysis Clinics Charge for Dialysis Treatment- NO

(From here we skip from Prop 8 to Prop 10. Prop 9 was removed from the ballot by the California Supreme Court)

Prop 10: Expands Local Governments' Authority to Enact Rent Control on Residential Property- NO

Prop 11: Require Private-Sector Emergency Ambulance Employees to Remain On-Call During Work Breaks, Eliminates Certain Employer Liability- YES

Prop 12: Establishes New Standards for Confinement of Specified Farm Animals, Bans Sale of Non-Complying Product- NO

Prop Spotlight: Proposition 2

The official ballot summary of Proposition 2 is as follows: Ratifies existing law establishing the No Place Like Home Program, which finances permanent housing for individuals with mental illness who are homeless or at risk for chronic homelessness, as being consistent with the Mental Health Services Act approved by the electorate. Ratifies issuance of up to $2 billion in previously authorized bonds to finance the No Place Like Home Program. Amends the Mental Health Services Act to authorize transfers of up to $140 million annually from the existing Mental Health Services Fund to the No Place Like Home Program, with no increase in taxes.

Prop 2 takes some background explanation. The legislature passed a bill in 2016, the No Place Like Home Act, to spend revenue from Proposition 63 (2004) on revenue bonds for homelessness prevention housing. The legislation, however, could not go into effect for two reasons: 1). Because of pending litigation over whether revenue from the millionaire's tax could be spent on homelessness prevention housing and 2). Because Prop 2 would reallocate revenue from a previously passed ballot initiative. Unlike general obligation bonds, revenue bonds do not require a public vote in California, but because this is a change to a passed ballot initiative, it must go before the voters. In 2004, voters approved Proposition 63- a one percent income tax on those making over a million dollars a year to fund mental health programs. Over a decade later, much of that money remains unspent for a wide variety of reasons. Therefore, two years ago the Legislature approved the No Place Like Home program to spend the unused revenue. This program authorizes the $2 billion general obligation bond to pay for housing for those with mental illness who are homeless or who are at risk of becoming homeless. The bond would be paid off with up to $140 million of existing Proposition 63 monies annually, for 30-35 years. Both chambers of the state legislature approved AB 1827 (now, Prop 2) on June 25, 2018. The vote in the state Senate was 35-0, with four members not voting, while the state Assembly vote was 72-1. If passed, the bond would allow for the distribution of $2 billion among counties as deferred payment loans to finance capitol costs of approximately 10,000 permanent supportive housing for persons eligible for services under Prop 63 and are homeless, chronically homeless, or at risk of chronic homelessness due to mental health. The California Republican Party has no position on Prop 2 because this was placed on the ballot after the Party’s convention last May, where positions on ballot measures were made by the CRP Initiatives Committee. The California Federation of Republican Women have recommended voting NO on Prop 2. Our Voting Body believes that the original Prop 63 Mental Health funding should be used for mental health programs, not for housing. We acknowledge that our cities have a homelessness crisis, but we believe that throwing money at the problem in the form of housing is not the answer. Catching the signs of mental illness earlier, giving schools and families the tools to help their loved ones with a mental illness, and more education on mental illnesses should be addressed, but Prop 2 does nothing for that. Join us in voting NO on Prop 2.
___________________

CFRW Fall Conference

It's September and our CFRW Fall Conference is next weekend! Join us from September 28-30 in Bakersfield for our Fall Harvest! We will be hearing from John Sullivan, producer of films such as Gosnell, America, and 2016 in conjunction with Dinesh D'Souza. Our banquet speaker is Ben Bergquam from Frontline America and he is on the frontlines battling SB 54 and the Sanctuary State in California. We will be preparing for the election and getting out the vote with a Yes on Prop 6 rally and so much information on the ballot. CLICK HERE for the full conference packet and registration (deadline extended to TODAY!)

Disclaimer: The Capitol Update is an activity of the CFRW Advocate's Office. The update is for information only. CFRW official positions on legislation are stated immediately preceding the stated legislation or immediately following the stated legislation in this report.

California Federation of Republican Women Advocacy Office
770 L Street, Suite 950, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone 916-442-4084

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

#Prop10 would make California’s housing shortage worse. #NoOn10



Stop The Gas Tax









Friday, July 20, 2018

Wow - Politico describes our Yes on Prop 6 - Gas Tax Repeal Campaign as "unexpectedly robust" - damn right!



California Governor Jerry Brown, heading into his last months in office, is staring down a capstone political challenge — an unexpectedly robust GOP effort to dismantle one of his legacy achievements.

The gas tax, designed to pay for the state’s infrastructure repairs for the next decade, is under threat of repeal from a November ballot measure that has energized the state’s moribund Republican Party. Already, the fight has all the ingredients of a monumental political clash: implications for the control of Congress, a test of Democrats’ ability to defend the fruits of their political dominance and the four-term governor’s lasting imprint on California are all at stake....

The gas tax is a product of Democrats’ total control in Sacramento, where legislative leaders used hard-won legislative supermajorities — which allowed them to pass tax increases without Republican support...

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

California Has 48 Hours to Pass This Privacy Bill or Else





Recent headlines have suggested that California lawmakers are considering a bill that would give Californians “unprecedented control over their data.” This is true but that is not the whole story.

What’s really happening is that California lawmakers have 48 hours to pass such a bill or the policy shit is going to hit the direct democracy fan. Because if lawmakers in the California Senate and House don’t pass this bill Thursday morning, and if California governor Jerry Brown doesn’t sign this bill into law Thursday afternoon, a stronger version of it will be on the state ballot in November. Then the 17 million or so people who actually vote in California would decide for themselves whether they should have the right to force companies to stop selling their data out the back door. Polls predict they would vote yes, despite the claims of tech companies that passage of the law would lead to businesses fleeing California. And laws passed via the ballot initiative process, rather than the legislative process, are almost impossible to change, so California would likely have this one on its books for a very long time....

Friday, June 15, 2018

Thefts rise after California reduces criminal penalties





California voters' decision to reduce penalties for drug and property crimes in 2014 contributed to a jump in car burglaries, shoplifting and other theft, researchers reported.

Larcenies increased about 9 percent by 2016, or about 135 more thefts per 100,000 residents than if tougher penalties had remained, according to results of a study by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California released Tuesday.

Thefts from motor vehicles accounted for about three-quarters of the increase. San Francisco alone recorded more than 30,000 auto burglaries last year, which authorities largely blamed on gangs. Shoplifting may be leveling off, researchers found, but there is no sign of a decline in thefts from vehicles.

Proposition 47 lowered criminal sentences for drug possession, theft, shoplifting, identity theft, receiving stolen property, writing bad checks and check forgery from felonies that can bring prison terms to misdemeanors that often bring minimal jail sentences....



Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Measure to split California into 3 states earns spot on November ballot





Saturday, June 9, 2018

After 40 years, Proposition 13 still protects California taxpayers



The Proposition 13 tax revolt was more than an uprising against out-of-control property taxes. Passed by voters 40 years ago Wednesday, Proposition 13 survives in deep-blue California because it stands as a strong symbol not only about controlling taxation but also about voters’ power to command the government.

After 40 years, the measure still has overwhelming public support. In a Public Policy Institute of California poll released in March, 65 percent of likely voters said Proposition 13 turned out to be a good thing, while only 23 percent said it was a bad thing. Prop. 13 has majority support across party, gender, education levels and ethnic, age and economic groups.


But over the past 40 years, spending interests have tried to destabilize Proposition 13, and it remains a target for those who want to tax more. Ending it would send notice nationally that the tax cutting fire is out....

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

CA voters rubber stamp every prop — except one



...The only state initiative to fail was Prop. 70. That measure would have required the Legislature to pass cap-and-trade spending plans with two-thirds support starting in 2024. The measure was an effort to give Republicans a say in how the money is spent. It failed with 64 percent of voters saying no....

Tuesday, June 5, 2018

ABOUT THOSE BALLOT PROPOSITIONS... CFRW recommendation and Talking Points... (and more)

CFRW RECOMMENDS:
  • Prop 68: NO
  • Prop 69: NO
  • Prop 70: NO
  • Prop 71: YES
  • Prop 72: YES





June Ballot Measures

Proposition 68: California Parks, Environment, and Water Bond- would issue a $4 billion general obligation bond, with a 3.5% interest rate over 30 years, bringing the bill to the taxpayers up to $6.4 billion total. The CFRW says vote NO.

Proposition 69: Transportation Taxes and Fees Lockbox and Appropriations Limit Exemption Amendment- states that Senate Bill 1 revenue from diesel taxes will be placed in a “lockbox” and used only for transportation fund purposes. The CFRW says vote NO.

Proposition 70: Vote Requirement to Use Cap and Trade Funds Amendment- would require a one-time vote in 2024 by a 2/3rds legislative majority to allocate state Cap and Trade program revenue. The CFRW says vote NO.

Proposition 71: Effective Date of Ballot Measures Amendment- changes the date for when voter approved ballot measures take effect from the day after the election to the fifth day after the Secretary of State certifies the election. The CFRW says vote YES.

Proposition 72: Rainwater Capture Systems Excluded from Property Tax Assessment- would exclude any new rainwater capture structures from property value tax reassessment from counting as a new structure. The CFRW says vote YES.

If you would like ALL the talking points for each proposition, please email our Advocate at advocate@cfrw.org.
____

Prop Spotlight: Prop 68 - The California Parks, Environment, and Water Bond

The CFRW recommends a NO vote.

Ballot Title: Authorizes Bonds Funding Parks, Natural Resources Protection, Climate Adaptation, Water Quality and Supply, and Flood Protection

Ballot Summary:

Authorizes $4 billion in general obligation bonds for: creation and rehabilitation of state and local parks, natural resources protection projects, climate adaptation projects, water quality and supply projects, and flood protection projects.
Reallocates $100 million of unused bond authority from prior bond acts for the same purposes.
Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to pay off bonds.
Requires non-state matching funds for certain projects and favors disadvantaged communities for certain projects.
Requires annual audits
Background

This proposition began as SB 5 (De Leon, D) in 2016. It passed along party lines in the Senate, but was amended in the Assembly to raise the price from $3.8 billion to $4 billion, earning three Republican votes as it passed there 56-21. There are two types of bonds that we, as Californians, vote on: general obligation bonds and revenue bonds. Prop 68 is a general obligation bond. This means that the bond is sold to investors as taxpayer pays back the bond over many years, in this prop's case, 30 years. Accoring to our state's constitution, any bond issued over $300,000 must be placed on a statewide ballot to go before voters. Since 1993 when that law came into place, 39 general obligation bonds have been on our ballots. Of those, 31 of them were passed by our voters. An even more shocking statistic, just 6 of those 39 general obligation bonds were citizen-driven bonds. A total of 33 general obligation bonds, since 1993, have been put on our ballots by our legislature. The most common bonds are water and education bonds- 7 each have appeared since 1993. California has $73.33 billion in outstanding general obligation bond debt. Perhaps worse, we have $31.9 billion in unissued bonds that the voters have passed.

Talking Points

  • Prop 68 is deceptive. What is billed as a $4 billion bond will really cost us closer to $7 billion. This means higher taxes so that a few coastal politicians can divvy out our money for pet projects. The money issued here is not even fairly divided among Californians so that all could see local park improvements.
  • The authors of this prop would have you believe the funding is necessary for drought and groundwater investment. But only 13% of this proposition's funds would be allocated for that purpose. The rest would be doled out for conservation grants with little left over for necessary deferred maintenance.
  • With a 3.5% interest rate over 30 years, our politicians are passing the buck on this bond. At least $2.53 billion in interest will accumulate, bringing the total cost of this bond to $6.53 billion.
  • Currently our state has unfunded pension liablities costs that are rising. Our public school borrowed debt is $500 million a year, retiree medical pension liability is at $91 billion, and affordable housing debt is at $169 million a year. Why are we throwing more debt onto the pile?
  • We need to ask ourselves two simple questions: 1. How effective have past bond measures been (particularly our 2014 water bond)? and 2. Do we really need to add to our state's debt?
_____

Prop Spotlight: Prop 69 - Transportation Taxes and Fees Lockbox and Appropriations Limit Exemption Amendment

The CFRW Recommends a NO vote

Ballot Title: Requires That Certain New Transportation Revenues Be Used for Transportation Purposes. Legislative Constitutional Amendment

Ballot Summary:

Requires that revenues generated by a 2017 transportation funding law, through a certain vehicle license fee and diesel sales tax, be used only for transportation purposes, including public transportation. Generally prohibits the Legislature from diverting those funds to other purposes.
Prohibits revenue from new vehicle license fees from being used to repay general obligation bond debt.
Exempts new revenues from state and local spending limits.
Background

Last year the California State Legislature passed SB 1, “The Gas Tax”, by a 2/3rds majority vote. It was overwhelmingly unpopular with Californians, but they did it anyway. SB 1 enacted the highest tax increase in our state’s history, at $5.2 billion a year in higher taxes. SB 1 raised gasoline taxes an additional 12 cents a gallon, raised diesel taxes by 20 cents a gallon, raised diesel sales taxes from 1.75 to 5.75 percent, raised vehicle fees by $25-$100 per car, per year, and finally included an electric car fee of $100 per car, per year. Proposition 69 was written as an addendum to SB 1, so that voters could feel the legislature would be responsible with SB 1 revenue. Californians already voted to protect gas tax revenue in 2002- Prop 42 and again in 2010- Prop 22. Both previous propositions were designed to have gas tax revenue be only used for transportation funding. Both previous propositions were created to protect gas tax revenue from being siphoned off for other funding purposes. Prop 69 claims to do the same thing, except this time, we know better.

Talking Points

  • This proposition is a farce. It is disingenuous to voters and to all taxpayers who use our roads. Prop 69 claims to use gas tax revenue for transportation purposes only. When the legislature passed SB 1, they claimed we needed the higher taxes to fix our crumbling transportation infrastructure. But the truth is, we didn’t need higher taxes, we need representatives with integrity, who would use already existing gas tax revenue and vehicle fees for transportation purposes only. The legislature needed to write a constitutional amendment to keep their word?
  • We already have “lockbox” measures supposedly keeping our gas tax revenue “safe” and for “transportation funds” only. Why do we think this time they won’t use a loophole?
  • Speaking up loopholes, Prop 69 exempts the gas tax revenue from the state’s constitutional spending limit. This will RAISE the state’s General Fund spending by approximately $2 billion annually, with no taxpayer oversight.
  • Prop 69 does nothing to protect taxpayer’s money. Taxpayers were promised that SB 1 would fix our roads and transportation infrastructure. Prop 69 does not guarantee this. Instead, it puts some of the revenue in a “transportation fund” whereby the legislature can decide what qualifies as “transportation” (read: transit and High Speed Rail). It does not guarantee funding for our crumbling roads or easing traffic congestion! It is a duplicitous measure designed to make voters feel like they are in the “driver’s seat” with state spending, but we are being “taken for a ride” once again.
_____

Prop Spotlight: Prop 70 - Vote Requirement to Use Cap and Trade Funds Amendment

The CFRW Recommends a NO Vote

Ballot Title: Requires Legislative Supermajority Vote Approving Use of Cap-and-trade Reserve Fund. Legislative Constitutional Amendment

Ballot Summary:

  • Beginning in 2024, cap-and-trade revenues will accumulate in a reserve fund.
  • These cap-and-trade revenues cannot be used unless the Legislature authorizes such use by a two-thirds majority.
  • On the effective date of any such authorization, the requirement that new revenues accumulate in this reserve fund will expire.
  • Suspends certain tax exemptions, including for equipment used in manufacturing and research and development, beginning in 2024, until the effective date of any such authorization

Background

AB 32 was passed in 2006. It created California’s Cap and Trade program, whereby the California Air Resources Board monitors and regulates the greenhouse gas emissions of businesses with the goal of 1990 levels by 2020. Last year, the legislature passed AB 398 to extend Cap and Trade to 2030, giving CARB regulating powers once more. AB 398 needed a 2/3rds vote in each chamber to pass. A deal was struck and 8 Republicans (7 Assembly members and 1 Senator) voted for the extension of Cap and Trade in exchange for a repeal of the Fire Tax (until 2031) and Prop 70 being on the June ballot.

Talking Points

  • Prop 70 is a straw man. The “if we don’t pass it, we might get something worse” argument doesn’t work here. This was a bad deal that a few Republicans made, allowing three vulnerable Democrats to vote against the Cap and Trade extension.
  • There is no guarantee that the Cap and Trade funding will be allocated in any way that benefits taxpayers. There is also no guarantee that it will not be sent to fund the High Speed Rail project.
  • Again, there is also no guarantee that a 2/3rds vote in both chambers will be a bi-partisan vote. Republicans are currently in the super-minority, so a measure like this would do nothing to protect taxpayers or provide bi-partisanship.
  • It is time for Californians to stand up to the legislative Democrat bullying. This deal was made with broad Democrat support, and now virtually every legislative Democrat except Governor Jerry Brown opposes it. The Republicans who made this deal were duped. This might sound like enough reason to support Prop 70, but a message should be sent to Sacramento. Duplicitous back-room deals should not be tolerated from EITHER party.
_____

Prop Spotlight: Prop 71: Effective Date of Ballot Measures

The CFRW recommends a YES vote

Ballot Title: Sets Effective Date for Ballot Measures. Legislative Constitutional Amendment

Ballot Summary:

  • Provides that a ballot measure approved by a majority of voters shall take effect five days after the Secretary of State certifies the results of the election.
  • Allows a ballot measure to provide that it will become operative at a date later than its effective date

Background

The current election law states that ballot measures go into effect the day after the election unless the measure specifically states a different effect date. This could cause confusion or costly legal battles as we come into the new “Vote By Mail” era. Ballots may be counted up to a month after the election and the Secretary of State must certify an election by 38 days after election day. So theoretically a measure could “win” a majority of votes the day after the election and the measure takes effect immediately, but there is a month or more where ballots can be counted, and the vote count could tip the measure the other way. Then what happens? Potentially law suits and a lot of confused voters. Prop 71 would give county elections offices and the Secretary of State time to count every mail in ballot before ballot measures would come into effect. Currently there are approximately 51% of Californians are registered to vote by mail and by 2020 the entire state will be required to vote by mail. Prop 71 would ensure all votes are counted before the ballot measures become official state law.

Talking Points

  • By 2020, the entire state of California will be required to Vote By Mail. Prop 71 ensures that every vote is counted before election results are certified and ballot measures take effect.
  • Prop 71 was passed unanimously in both houses of our legislatures. Every Republican Assembly member and Senator agree that every mail ballot deserves to be counted.
  • If Prop 71 is not passed and vote by mail ballots take longer to count than expected, propositions that come into effect the day after the election could create expensive legal battles for taxpayers and confusion for Californians wanting to comply with a new law. Prop 71 does necessary “housekeeping” for the new “Vote By Mail” era.
_____

Prop 72: Rainwater Capture Systems Excluded from Property Tax Assessments Amendment

CFRW recommends a YES vote.

Ballot Title: Permits Legislature to Exclude Newly Constructed Rain-Capture Systems From Property-Tax Reassessment Requirement. Legislative Constitutional Amendment.







Ballot Summary:
  • Except in certain circumstances, under the California Constitution, construction on existing property requires reassessment for tax purposes.
  • The California Constitution permits the Legislature to exempt some construction on existing property from property-tax reassessment requirements.
  • Amends the California Constitution to permit the Legislature to exempt the construction or addition of rain-capture systems from the type of construction that would require a property-tax reassessment.
  • Applicable to construction or addition of rain-capture systems completed on or after January 1, 2019

Background

In 2012, the state legislature unanimously passed the Rainwater Capture Act, which allows Californians to build rainwater storage systems on their properties. Not all counties allow rainwater capture and storage, though. According to current property tax law, any “new construction” can be reassessed by your county tax assessor for taxable value. Prop 72 was passed in both houses of the legislature unanimously to protect taxpayers from higher property taxes if they choose to build rainwater capture systems on their property after January 1st, 2019. The only downside to Prop 72 is that it includes a sunset on January 1st, 2029. At that point the legislature would have to vote to extend the property tax exclusion. The voters have historically voted for and approved property tax exclusions, like Prop 72, for specific additions and new construction.

Talking Points

  • Prop 72 is a win-win for Californians. It promotes responsible water conservation while also protecting taxpayers from higher property taxes.
  • Prop 72 was supported by every Republican legislator in both the Senate and the Assembly. Though it was authored by a Democrat, this is the exact type of taxpayer protection legislation that Republicans have tried to get through the legislature for years.
  • Voters deserve the right to vote on protecting their property taxes. Prop 72 would give taxpayers the chance to show the liberal legislature that measures like this should pass with little to no opposition and by a high margin when it comes to protecting taxpayers.
_____

The electronic voter guide is user-friendly – a voter can enter his or her address and find the endorsed candidates who will be on the ballot. Statewide, congressional and legislative endorsements made by CRP will be listed first, followed by the list of your endorsements in local races. ◼ To view the electronic voter guide, click HERE. Enter the home address where you are registered to vote:

GOVERNOR: No Endorsement
Lieutenant Governor: Cole Harris
Secretary of State: Mark P. Meuser
State Controller: Konstantinos Roditis
State Treasurer: No Endorsement
State Attorney General: Steven C Bailey
State Board of Equalization - District 2: Mark Burns
US Senate: No Endorsement
Congress: US House - District 2: Dale K. Mensing
State Legislature: State Assembly - District 2: Matt Heath
Schools: State Superintendent of Public Instruction: No Endorsement

Statewide Propositions:
Proposition 68: NO
Proposition 69: No Endorsement
Proposition 70: NO
Proposition 71: YES
Proposition 72: YES

Prop 68: CFRW recommends a NO vote

Prop Spotlight: Prop 68 - The California Parks, Environment, and Water Bond

The CFRW recommends a NO vote.

Ballot Title: Authorizes Bonds Funding Parks, Natural Resources Protection, Climate Adaptation, Water Quality and Supply, and Flood Protection

Ballot Summary:

Authorizes $4 billion in general obligation bonds for: creation and rehabilitation of state and local parks, natural resources protection projects, climate adaptation projects, water quality and supply projects, and flood protection projects.
Reallocates $100 million of unused bond authority from prior bond acts for the same purposes.
Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to pay off bonds.
Requires non-state matching funds for certain projects and favors disadvantaged communities for certain projects.
Requires annual audits
Background

This proposition began as SB 5 (De Leon, D) in 2016. It passed along party lines in the Senate, but was amended in the Assembly to raise the price from $3.8 billion to $4 billion, earning three Republican votes as it passed there 56-21. There are two types of bonds that we, as Californians, vote on: general obligation bonds and revenue bonds. Prop 68 is a general obligation bond. This means that the bond is sold to investors as taxpayer pays back the bond over many years, in this prop's case, 30 years. Accoring to our state's constitution, any bond issued over $300,000 must be placed on a statewide ballot to go before voters. Since 1993 when that law came into place, 39 general obligation bonds have been on our ballots. Of those, 31 of them were passed by our voters. An even more shocking statistic, just 6 of those 39 general obligation bonds were citizen-driven bonds. A total of 33 general obligation bonds, since 1993, have been put on our ballots by our legislature. The most common bonds are water and education bonds- 7 each have appeared since 1993. California has $73.33 billion in outstanding general obligation bond debt. Perhaps worse, we have $31.9 billion in unissued bonds that the voters have passed.

Talking Points

  • Prop 68 is deceptive. What is billed as a $4 billion bond will really cost us closer to $7 billion. This means higher taxes so that a few coastal politicians can divvy out our money for pet projects. The money issued here is not even fairly divided among Californians so that all could see local park improvements.
  • The authors of this prop would have you believe the funding is necessary for drought and groundwater investment. But only 13% of this proposition's funds would be allocated for that purpose. The rest would be doled out for conservation grants with little left over for necessary deferred maintenance.
  • With a 3.5% interest rate over 30 years, our politicians are passing the buck on this bond. At least $2.53 billion in interest will accumulate, bringing the total cost of this bond to $6.53 billion.
  • Currently our state has unfunded pension liablities costs that are rising. Our public school borrowed debt is $500 million a year, retiree medical pension liability is at $91 billion, and affordable housing debt is at $169 million a year. Why are we throwing more debt onto the pile?
  • We need to ask ourselves two simple questions: 1. How effective have past bond measures been (particularly our 2014 water bond)? and 2. Do we really need to add to our state's debt?
_____

Official CFRW Positions

  • Prop 68: NO
  • Prop 69: NO
  • Prop 70: NO
  • Prop 71: YES
  • Prop 72: YES
June Ballot Measures

Proposition 68: California Parks, Environment, and Water Bond- would issue a $4 billion general obligation bond, with a 3.5% interest rate over 30 years, bringing the bill to the taxpayers up to $6.4 billion total. The CFRW says vote NO.

Proposition 69: Transportation Taxes and Fees Lockbox and Appropriations Limit Exemption Amendment- states that Senate Bill 1 revenue from diesel taxes will be placed in a “lockbox” and used only for transportation fund purposes. The CFRW says vote NO.

Proposition 70: Vote Requirement to Use Cap and Trade Funds Amendment- would require a one-time vote in 2024 by a 2/3rds legislative majority to allocate state Cap and Trade program revenue. The CFRW says vote NO.

Proposition 71: Effective Date of Ballot Measures Amendment- changes the date for when voter approved ballot measures take effect from the day after the election to the fifth day after the Secretary of State certifies the election. The CFRW says vote YES.

Proposition 72: Rainwater Capture Systems Excluded from Property Tax Assessment- would exclude any new rainwater capture structures from property value tax reassessment from counting as a new structure. The CFRW says vote YES.

If you would like ALL the talking points for each proposition, please email our Advocate at advocate@cfrw.org.
______________________________






Prop 69: CFRW recommends a NO vote

Prop Spotlight: Prop 69 - Transportation Taxes and Fees Lockbox and Appropriations Limit Exemption Amendment

The CFRW Recommends a NO vote

Ballot Title: Requires That Certain New Transportation Revenues Be Used for Transportation Purposes. Legislative Constitutional Amendment

Ballot Summary:

Requires that revenues generated by a 2017 transportation funding law, through a certain vehicle license fee and diesel sales tax, be used only for transportation purposes, including public transportation. Generally prohibits the Legislature from diverting those funds to other purposes.
Prohibits revenue from new vehicle license fees from being used to repay general obligation bond debt.
Exempts new revenues from state and local spending limits.
Background

Last year the California State Legislature passed SB 1, “The Gas Tax”, by a 2/3rds majority vote. It was overwhelmingly unpopular with Californians, but they did it anyway. SB 1 enacted the highest tax increase in our state’s history, at $5.2 billion a year in higher taxes. SB 1 raised gasoline taxes an additional 12 cents a gallon, raised diesel taxes by 20 cents a gallon, raised diesel sales taxes from 1.75 to 5.75 percent, raised vehicle fees by $25-$100 per car, per year, and finally included an electric car fee of $100 per car, per year. Proposition 69 was written as an addendum to SB 1, so that voters could feel the legislature would be responsible with SB 1 revenue. Californians already voted to protect gas tax revenue in 2002- Prop 42 and again in 2010- Prop 22. Both previous propositions were designed to have gas tax revenue be only used for transportation funding. Both previous propositions were created to protect gas tax revenue from being siphoned off for other funding purposes. Prop 69 claims to do the same thing, except this time, we know better.

Talking Points

  • This proposition is a farce. It is disingenuous to voters and to all taxpayers who use our roads. Prop 69 claims to use gas tax revenue for transportation purposes only. When the legislature passed SB 1, they claimed we needed the higher taxes to fix our crumbling transportation infrastructure. But the truth is, we didn’t need higher taxes, we need representatives with integrity, who would use already existing gas tax revenue and vehicle fees for transportation purposes only. The legislature needed to write a constitutional amendment to keep their word?
  • We already have “lockbox” measures supposedly keeping our gas tax revenue “safe” and for “transportation funds” only. Why do we think this time they won’t use a loophole?
  • Speaking up loopholes, Prop 69 exempts the gas tax revenue from the state’s constitutional spending limit. This will RAISE the state’s General Fund spending by approximately $2 billion annually, with no taxpayer oversight.
  • Prop 69 does nothing to protect taxpayer’s money. Taxpayers were promised that SB 1 would fix our roads and transportation infrastructure. Prop 69 does not guarantee this. Instead, it puts some of the revenue in a “transportation fund” whereby the legislature can decide what qualifies as “transportation” (read: transit and High Speed Rail). It does not guarantee funding for our crumbling roads or easing traffic congestion! It is a duplicitous measure designed to make voters feel like they are in the “driver’s seat” with state spending, but we are being “taken for a ride” once again.
_____

Official CFRW Positions

  • Prop 68: NO
  • Prop 69: NO
  • Prop 70: NO
  • Prop 71: YES
  • Prop 72: YES
June Ballot Measures

Proposition 68: California Parks, Environment, and Water Bond- would issue a $4 billion general obligation bond, with a 3.5% interest rate over 30 years, bringing the bill to the taxpayers up to $6.4 billion total. The CFRW says vote NO.

Proposition 69: Transportation Taxes and Fees Lockbox and Appropriations Limit Exemption Amendment- states that Senate Bill 1 revenue from diesel taxes will be placed in a “lockbox” and used only for transportation fund purposes. The CFRW says vote NO.

Proposition 70: Vote Requirement to Use Cap and Trade Funds Amendment- would require a one-time vote in 2024 by a 2/3rds legislative majority to allocate state Cap and Trade program revenue. The CFRW says vote NO.

Proposition 71: Effective Date of Ballot Measures Amendment- changes the date for when voter approved ballot measures take effect from the day after the election to the fifth day after the Secretary of State certifies the election. The CFRW says vote YES.

Proposition 72: Rainwater Capture Systems Excluded from Property Tax Assessment- would exclude any new rainwater capture structures from property value tax reassessment from counting as a new structure. The CFRW says vote YES.

If you would like ALL the talking points for each proposition, please email our Advocate at advocate@cfrw.org.
______________________________

Prop 70: CFRW recommends a NO vote

Prop Spotlight: Prop 70 - Vote Requirement to Use Cap and Trade Funds Amendment

The CFRW Recommends a NO Vote

Ballot Title: Requires Legislative Supermajority Vote Approving Use of Cap-and-trade Reserve Fund. Legislative Constitutional Amendment

Ballot Summary:

  • Beginning in 2024, cap-and-trade revenues will accumulate in a reserve fund.
  • These cap-and-trade revenues cannot be used unless the Legislature authorizes such use by a two-thirds majority.
  • On the effective date of any such authorization, the requirement that new revenues accumulate in this reserve fund will expire.
  • Suspends certain tax exemptions, including for equipment used in manufacturing and research and development, beginning in 2024, until the effective date of any such authorization

Background

AB 32 was passed in 2006. It created California’s Cap and Trade program, whereby the California Air Resources Board monitors and regulates the greenhouse gas emissions of businesses with the goal of 1990 levels by 2020. Last year, the legislature passed AB 398 to extend Cap and Trade to 2030, giving CARB regulating powers once more. AB 398 needed a 2/3rds vote in each chamber to pass. A deal was struck and 8 Republicans (7 Assembly members and 1 Senator) voted for the extension of Cap and Trade in exchange for a repeal of the Fire Tax (until 2031) and Prop 70 being on the June ballot.

Talking Points

  • Prop 70 is a straw man. The “if we don’t pass it, we might get something worse” argument doesn’t work here. This was a bad deal that a few Republicans made, allowing three vulnerable Democrats to vote against the Cap and Trade extension.
  • There is no guarantee that the Cap and Trade funding will be allocated in any way that benefits taxpayers. There is also no guarantee that it will not be sent to fund the High Speed Rail project.
  • Again, there is also no guarantee that a 2/3rds vote in both chambers will be a bi-partisan vote. Republicans are currently in the super-minority, so a measure like this would do nothing to protect taxpayers or provide bi-partisanship.
  • It is time for Californians to stand up to the legislative Democrat bullying. This deal was made with broad Democrat support, and now virtually every legislative Democrat except Governor Jerry Brown opposes it. The Republicans who made this deal were duped. This might sound like enough reason to support Prop 70, but a message should be sent to Sacramento. Duplicitous back-room deals should not be tolerated from EITHER party.
_____

Official CFRW Positions

  • Prop 68: NO
  • Prop 69: NO
  • Prop 70: NO
  • Prop 71: YES
  • Prop 72: YES
June Ballot Measures

Proposition 68: California Parks, Environment, and Water Bond- would issue a $4 billion general obligation bond, with a 3.5% interest rate over 30 years, bringing the bill to the taxpayers up to $6.4 billion total. The CFRW says vote NO.

Proposition 69: Transportation Taxes and Fees Lockbox and Appropriations Limit Exemption Amendment- states that Senate Bill 1 revenue from diesel taxes will be placed in a “lockbox” and used only for transportation fund purposes. The CFRW says vote NO.

Proposition 70: Vote Requirement to Use Cap and Trade Funds Amendment- would require a one-time vote in 2024 by a 2/3rds legislative majority to allocate state Cap and Trade program revenue. The CFRW says vote NO.

Proposition 71: Effective Date of Ballot Measures Amendment- changes the date for when voter approved ballot measures take effect from the day after the election to the fifth day after the Secretary of State certifies the election. The CFRW says vote YES.

Proposition 72: Rainwater Capture Systems Excluded from Property Tax Assessment- would exclude any new rainwater capture structures from property value tax reassessment from counting as a new structure. The CFRW says vote YES.

If you would like ALL the talking points for each proposition, please email our Advocate at advocate@cfrw.org.
______________________________

Prop 71: CFRW recommends a YES vote

Prop 71: Effective Date of Ballot Measures

The CFRW recommends a YES vote

Ballot Title: Sets Effective Date for Ballot Measures. Legislative Constitutional Amendment

Ballot Summary:
  • Provides that a ballot measure approved by a majority of voters shall take effect five days after the Secretary of State certifies the results of the election.
  • Allows a ballot measure to provide that it will become operative at a date later than its effective date

Background

The current election law states that ballot measures go into effect the day after the election unless the measure specifically states a different effect date. This could cause confusion or costly legal battles as we come into the new “Vote By Mail” era. Ballots may be counted up to a month after the election and the Secretary of State must certify an election by 38 days after election day. So theoretically a measure could “win” a majority of votes the day after the election and the measure takes effect immediately, but there is a month or more where ballots can be counted, and the vote count could tip the measure the other way. Then what happens? Potentially law suits and a lot of confused voters. Prop 71 would give county elections offices and the Secretary of State time to count every mail in ballot before ballot measures would come into effect. Currently there are approximately 51% of Californians are registered to vote by mail and by 2020 the entire state will be required to vote by mail. Prop 71 would ensure all votes are counted before the ballot measures become official state law.

Talking Points

  • By 2020, the entire state of California will be required to Vote By Mail. Prop 71 ensures that every vote is counted before election results are certified and ballot measures take effect.
  • Prop 71 was passed unanimously in both houses of our legislatures. Every Republican Assembly member and Senator agree that every mail ballot deserves to be counted.
  • If Prop 71 is not passed and vote by mail ballots take longer to count than expected, propositions that come into effect the day after the election could create expensive legal battles for taxpayers and confusion for Californians wanting to comply with a new law. Prop 71 does necessary “housekeeping” for the new “Vote By Mail” era.
_____

Official CFRW Positions

  • Prop 68: NO
  • Prop 69: NO
  • Prop 70: NO
  • Prop 71: YES
  • Prop 72: YES
June Ballot Measures

Proposition 68: California Parks, Environment, and Water Bond- would issue a $4 billion general obligation bond, with a 3.5% interest rate over 30 years, bringing the bill to the taxpayers up to $6.4 billion total. The CFRW says vote NO.

Proposition 69: Transportation Taxes and Fees Lockbox and Appropriations Limit Exemption Amendment- states that Senate Bill 1 revenue from diesel taxes will be placed in a “lockbox” and used only for transportation fund purposes. The CFRW says vote NO.

Proposition 70: Vote Requirement to Use Cap and Trade Funds Amendment- would require a one-time vote in 2024 by a 2/3rds legislative majority to allocate state Cap and Trade program revenue. The CFRW says vote NO.

Proposition 71: Effective Date of Ballot Measures Amendment- changes the date for when voter approved ballot measures take effect from the day after the election to the fifth day after the Secretary of State certifies the election. The CFRW says vote YES.

Proposition 72: Rainwater Capture Systems Excluded from Property Tax Assessment- would exclude any new rainwater capture structures from property value tax reassessment from counting as a new structure. The CFRW says vote YES.

If you would like ALL the talking points for each proposition, please email our Advocate at advocate@cfrw.org.
______________________________


Prop 72: CFRW recommends a YES vote

Prop 72: Rainwater Capture Systems Excluded from Property Tax Assessments Amendment

CFRW recommends a YES vote.

Ballot Title: Permits Legislature to Exclude Newly Constructed Rain-Capture Systems From Property-Tax Reassessment Requirement. Legislative Constitutional Amendment.







Ballot Summary:
  • Except in certain circumstances, under the California Constitution, construction on existing property requires reassessment for tax purposes.
  • The California Constitution permits the Legislature to exempt some construction on existing property from property-tax reassessment requirements.
  • Amends the California Constitution to permit the Legislature to exempt the construction or addition of rain-capture systems from the type of construction that would require a property-tax reassessment.
  • Applicable to construction or addition of rain-capture systems completed on or after January 1, 2019

Background

In 2012, the state legislature unanimously passed the Rainwater Capture Act, which allows Californians to build rainwater storage systems on their properties. Not all counties allow rainwater capture and storage, though. According to current property tax law, any “new construction” can be reassessed by your county tax assessor for taxable value. Prop 72 was passed in both houses of the legislature unanimously to protect taxpayers from higher property taxes if they choose to build rainwater capture systems on their property after January 1st, 2019. The only downside to Prop 72 is that it includes a sunset on January 1st, 2029. At that point the legislature would have to vote to extend the property tax exclusion. The voters have historically voted for and approved property tax exclusions, like Prop 72, for specific additions and new construction.

Talking Points

  • Prop 72 is a win-win for Californians. It promotes responsible water conservation while also protecting taxpayers from higher property taxes.
  • Prop 72 was supported by every Republican legislator in both the Senate and the Assembly. Though it was authored by a Democrat, this is the exact type of taxpayer protection legislation that Republicans have tried to get through the legislature for years.
  • Voters deserve the right to vote on protecting their property taxes. Prop 72 would give taxpayers the chance to show the liberal legislature that measures like this should pass with little to no opposition and by a high margin when it comes to protecting taxpayers.
_____

CALIFORNIA GOP ENDORSEMENTS FOR JUNE 5 PRIMARY

The electronic voter guide is user-friendly – a voter can enter his or her address and find the endorsed candidates who will be on the ballot. Statewide, congressional and legislative endorsements made by CRP will be listed first, followed by the list of your endorsements in local races. ◼ To view the electronic voter guide, click HERE. Enter the home address where you are registered to vote:

GOVERNOR: No Endorsement
Lieutenant Governor: Cole Harris
Secretary of State: Mark P. Meuser
State Controller: Konstantinos Roditis
State Treasurer: No Endorsement
State Attorney General: Steven C Bailey
State Board of Equalization - District 2: Mark Burns
US Senate: No Endorsement
Congress: US House - District 2: Dale K. Mensing
State Legislature: State Assembly - District 2: Matt Heath
Schools: State Superintendent of Public Instruction: No Endorsement

Statewide Propositions:
Proposition 68: NO
Proposition 69: No Endorsement
Proposition 70: NO
Proposition 71: YES
Proposition 72: YES

The California Republican Party RECOMMENDATIONS on June 5 propositions: #CAGOP2018

California: Prop 68: A Yes Vote is a Reward for Bad Behavior VOTE NO

CALIFORNIA VOTE JUNE 5th... CFRW/GOP recommendations

Tuesday, June 5th, is the Primary Election for our state. There are many outstanding Vote By Mail ballots that have not been mailed it. At this point, it is too late to mail your ballot to have your vote counted by Election Day. If your ballot is still sitting on your kitchen counter, that's ok! Fill it out and drop it off at your County Elections Office OR hand it in on Election Day at your local polling place. Continue to educate voters on candidates, the ballot measures, and especially on the importance of voting! Voter turnout is expected to be very low, so every vote counts! (CFRW Capitol Update)

Vote June 5, 2018

Call (707) 445-7678 for questions about voting or to determine your voter registration status.

HUMBOLDT COUNTY ELECTIONS & VOTER REGISTRATION Elections Office

County Clerk, Recorder and Registrar of Voters: Kelly E. Sanders

Elections & Voter Registration
Election Results: Humboldt County


THE ELECTIONS OFFICE!

Elections Office Address: 2426 6th Street, Eureka, CA 95501
Voter Registration Address: 2426 6th Street
Eureka, CA 95501
Email: humboldt_elections@co.humboldt.ca.us

Ph: 707-445-7481
Fx: 707-445-7204

Hours
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
1 - 5 p.m.

CFRW RECOMMENDS:
  • Prop 68: NO
  • Prop 69: NO
  • Prop 70: NO
  • Prop 71: YES
  • Prop 72: YES





June Ballot Measures

Proposition 68: California Parks, Environment, and Water Bond- would issue a $4 billion general obligation bond, with a 3.5% interest rate over 30 years, bringing the bill to the taxpayers up to $6.4 billion total. The CFRW says vote NO.

Proposition 69: Transportation Taxes and Fees Lockbox and Appropriations Limit Exemption Amendment- states that Senate Bill 1 revenue from diesel taxes will be placed in a “lockbox” and used only for transportation fund purposes. The CFRW says vote NO.

Proposition 70: Vote Requirement to Use Cap and Trade Funds Amendment- would require a one-time vote in 2024 by a 2/3rds legislative majority to allocate state Cap and Trade program revenue. The CFRW says vote NO.

Proposition 71: Effective Date of Ballot Measures Amendment- changes the date for when voter approved ballot measures take effect from the day after the election to the fifth day after the Secretary of State certifies the election. The CFRW says vote YES.

Proposition 72: Rainwater Capture Systems Excluded from Property Tax Assessment- would exclude any new rainwater capture structures from property value tax reassessment from counting as a new structure. The CFRW says vote YES.

If you would like ALL the talking points for each proposition, please email our Advocate at advocate@cfrw.org.
____

Prop Spotlight: Prop 68 - The California Parks, Environment, and Water Bond

The CFRW recommends a NO vote.

Ballot Title: Authorizes Bonds Funding Parks, Natural Resources Protection, Climate Adaptation, Water Quality and Supply, and Flood Protection

Ballot Summary:

Authorizes $4 billion in general obligation bonds for: creation and rehabilitation of state and local parks, natural resources protection projects, climate adaptation projects, water quality and supply projects, and flood protection projects.
Reallocates $100 million of unused bond authority from prior bond acts for the same purposes.
Appropriates moneys from the General Fund to pay off bonds.
Requires non-state matching funds for certain projects and favors disadvantaged communities for certain projects.
Requires annual audits
Background

This proposition began as SB 5 (De Leon, D) in 2016. It passed along party lines in the Senate, but was amended in the Assembly to raise the price from $3.8 billion to $4 billion, earning three Republican votes as it passed there 56-21. There are two types of bonds that we, as Californians, vote on: general obligation bonds and revenue bonds. Prop 68 is a general obligation bond. This means that the bond is sold to investors as taxpayer pays back the bond over many years, in this prop's case, 30 years. Accoring to our state's constitution, any bond issued over $300,000 must be placed on a statewide ballot to go before voters. Since 1993 when that law came into place, 39 general obligation bonds have been on our ballots. Of those, 31 of them were passed by our voters. An even more shocking statistic, just 6 of those 39 general obligation bonds were citizen-driven bonds. A total of 33 general obligation bonds, since 1993, have been put on our ballots by our legislature. The most common bonds are water and education bonds- 7 each have appeared since 1993. California has $73.33 billion in outstanding general obligation bond debt. Perhaps worse, we have $31.9 billion in unissued bonds that the voters have passed.

Talking Points

  • Prop 68 is deceptive. What is billed as a $4 billion bond will really cost us closer to $7 billion. This means higher taxes so that a few coastal politicians can divvy out our money for pet projects. The money issued here is not even fairly divided among Californians so that all could see local park improvements.
  • The authors of this prop would have you believe the funding is necessary for drought and groundwater investment. But only 13% of this proposition's funds would be allocated for that purpose. The rest would be doled out for conservation grants with little left over for necessary deferred maintenance.
  • With a 3.5% interest rate over 30 years, our politicians are passing the buck on this bond. At least $2.53 billion in interest will accumulate, bringing the total cost of this bond to $6.53 billion.
  • Currently our state has unfunded pension liablities costs that are rising. Our public school borrowed debt is $500 million a year, retiree medical pension liability is at $91 billion, and affordable housing debt is at $169 million a year. Why are we throwing more debt onto the pile?
  • We need to ask ourselves two simple questions: 1. How effective have past bond measures been (particularly our 2014 water bond)? and 2. Do we really need to add to our state's debt?
_____

Prop Spotlight: Prop 69 - Transportation Taxes and Fees Lockbox and Appropriations Limit Exemption Amendment

The CFRW Recommends a NO vote

Ballot Title: Requires That Certain New Transportation Revenues Be Used for Transportation Purposes. Legislative Constitutional Amendment

Ballot Summary:

Requires that revenues generated by a 2017 transportation funding law, through a certain vehicle license fee and diesel sales tax, be used only for transportation purposes, including public transportation. Generally prohibits the Legislature from diverting those funds to other purposes.
Prohibits revenue from new vehicle license fees from being used to repay general obligation bond debt.
Exempts new revenues from state and local spending limits.
Background

Last year the California State Legislature passed SB 1, “The Gas Tax”, by a 2/3rds majority vote. It was overwhelmingly unpopular with Californians, but they did it anyway. SB 1 enacted the highest tax increase in our state’s history, at $5.2 billion a year in higher taxes. SB 1 raised gasoline taxes an additional 12 cents a gallon, raised diesel taxes by 20 cents a gallon, raised diesel sales taxes from 1.75 to 5.75 percent, raised vehicle fees by $25-$100 per car, per year, and finally included an electric car fee of $100 per car, per year. Proposition 69 was written as an addendum to SB 1, so that voters could feel the legislature would be responsible with SB 1 revenue. Californians already voted to protect gas tax revenue in 2002- Prop 42 and again in 2010- Prop 22. Both previous propositions were designed to have gas tax revenue be only used for transportation funding. Both previous propositions were created to protect gas tax revenue from being siphoned off for other funding purposes. Prop 69 claims to do the same thing, except this time, we know better.

Talking Points

  • This proposition is a farce. It is disingenuous to voters and to all taxpayers who use our roads. Prop 69 claims to use gas tax revenue for transportation purposes only. When the legislature passed SB 1, they claimed we needed the higher taxes to fix our crumbling transportation infrastructure. But the truth is, we didn’t need higher taxes, we need representatives with integrity, who would use already existing gas tax revenue and vehicle fees for transportation purposes only. The legislature needed to write a constitutional amendment to keep their word?
  • We already have “lockbox” measures supposedly keeping our gas tax revenue “safe” and for “transportation funds” only. Why do we think this time they won’t use a loophole?
  • Speaking up loopholes, Prop 69 exempts the gas tax revenue from the state’s constitutional spending limit. This will RAISE the state’s General Fund spending by approximately $2 billion annually, with no taxpayer oversight.
  • Prop 69 does nothing to protect taxpayer’s money. Taxpayers were promised that SB 1 would fix our roads and transportation infrastructure. Prop 69 does not guarantee this. Instead, it puts some of the revenue in a “transportation fund” whereby the legislature can decide what qualifies as “transportation” (read: transit and High Speed Rail). It does not guarantee funding for our crumbling roads or easing traffic congestion! It is a duplicitous measure designed to make voters feel like they are in the “driver’s seat” with state spending, but we are being “taken for a ride” once again.
_____

Prop Spotlight: Prop 70 - Vote Requirement to Use Cap and Trade Funds Amendment

The CFRW Recommends a NO Vote

Ballot Title: Requires Legislative Supermajority Vote Approving Use of Cap-and-trade Reserve Fund. Legislative Constitutional Amendment

Ballot Summary:

  • Beginning in 2024, cap-and-trade revenues will accumulate in a reserve fund.
  • These cap-and-trade revenues cannot be used unless the Legislature authorizes such use by a two-thirds majority.
  • On the effective date of any such authorization, the requirement that new revenues accumulate in this reserve fund will expire.
  • Suspends certain tax exemptions, including for equipment used in manufacturing and research and development, beginning in 2024, until the effective date of any such authorization

Background

AB 32 was passed in 2006. It created California’s Cap and Trade program, whereby the California Air Resources Board monitors and regulates the greenhouse gas emissions of businesses with the goal of 1990 levels by 2020. Last year, the legislature passed AB 398 to extend Cap and Trade to 2030, giving CARB regulating powers once more. AB 398 needed a 2/3rds vote in each chamber to pass. A deal was struck and 8 Republicans (7 Assembly members and 1 Senator) voted for the extension of Cap and Trade in exchange for a repeal of the Fire Tax (until 2031) and Prop 70 being on the June ballot.

Talking Points

  • Prop 70 is a straw man. The “if we don’t pass it, we might get something worse” argument doesn’t work here. This was a bad deal that a few Republicans made, allowing three vulnerable Democrats to vote against the Cap and Trade extension.
  • There is no guarantee that the Cap and Trade funding will be allocated in any way that benefits taxpayers. There is also no guarantee that it will not be sent to fund the High Speed Rail project.
  • Again, there is also no guarantee that a 2/3rds vote in both chambers will be a bi-partisan vote. Republicans are currently in the super-minority, so a measure like this would do nothing to protect taxpayers or provide bi-partisanship.
  • It is time for Californians to stand up to the legislative Democrat bullying. This deal was made with broad Democrat support, and now virtually every legislative Democrat except Governor Jerry Brown opposes it. The Republicans who made this deal were duped. This might sound like enough reason to support Prop 70, but a message should be sent to Sacramento. Duplicitous back-room deals should not be tolerated from EITHER party.
_____

Prop Spotlight: Prop 71: Effective Date of Ballot Measures

The CFRW recommends a YES vote

Ballot Title: Sets Effective Date for Ballot Measures. Legislative Constitutional Amendment

Ballot Summary:

  • Provides that a ballot measure approved by a majority of voters shall take effect five days after the Secretary of State certifies the results of the election.
  • Allows a ballot measure to provide that it will become operative at a date later than its effective date

Background

The current election law states that ballot measures go into effect the day after the election unless the measure specifically states a different effect date. This could cause confusion or costly legal battles as we come into the new “Vote By Mail” era. Ballots may be counted up to a month after the election and the Secretary of State must certify an election by 38 days after election day. So theoretically a measure could “win” a majority of votes the day after the election and the measure takes effect immediately, but there is a month or more where ballots can be counted, and the vote count could tip the measure the other way. Then what happens? Potentially law suits and a lot of confused voters. Prop 71 would give county elections offices and the Secretary of State time to count every mail in ballot before ballot measures would come into effect. Currently there are approximately 51% of Californians are registered to vote by mail and by 2020 the entire state will be required to vote by mail. Prop 71 would ensure all votes are counted before the ballot measures become official state law.

Talking Points

  • By 2020, the entire state of California will be required to Vote By Mail. Prop 71 ensures that every vote is counted before election results are certified and ballot measures take effect.
  • Prop 71 was passed unanimously in both houses of our legislatures. Every Republican Assembly member and Senator agree that every mail ballot deserves to be counted.
  • If Prop 71 is not passed and vote by mail ballots take longer to count than expected, propositions that come into effect the day after the election could create expensive legal battles for taxpayers and confusion for Californians wanting to comply with a new law. Prop 71 does necessary “housekeeping” for the new “Vote By Mail” era.
_____

The electronic voter guide is user-friendly – a voter can enter his or her address and find the endorsed candidates who will be on the ballot. Statewide, congressional and legislative endorsements made by CRP will be listed first, followed by the list of your endorsements in local races. ◼ To view the electronic voter guide, click HERE. Enter the home address where you are registered to vote:

GOVERNOR: No Endorsement
Lieutenant Governor: Cole Harris
Secretary of State: Mark P. Meuser
State Controller: Konstantinos Roditis
State Treasurer: No Endorsement
State Attorney General: Steven C Bailey
State Board of Equalization - District 2: Mark Burns
US Senate: No Endorsement
Congress: US House - District 2: Dale K. Mensing
State Legislature: State Assembly - District 2: Matt Heath
Schools: State Superintendent of Public Instruction: No Endorsement

Statewide Propositions:
Proposition 68: NO
Proposition 69: No Endorsement
Proposition 70: NO
Proposition 71: YES
Proposition 72: YES