October 24, 2005
Getting Ready for Nov 8
Here are the ballot intiatives we'll be voting on here in California very soon (if you don't know where you're supposed to vote or what will appear on your ballot, try putting your address and zip into the Easy Voter Guide.) [I'm still working on this posting as I read more about the different propositions -- comments on ones you care strongly about are welcome]
Proposition 73. Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor's Pregnancy -- State of California (Initiative Constitutional Amendment)
Should the California Constitution be amended to require notification of the parent or legal guardian of an unemancipated, pregnant minor at least 48 hours before performing an abortion on the minor?
Campaign for Teen Safety
NARAL Fact Sheets
Proposition 74. Public School Teachers. Waiting Period for Permanent Status. Dismissal -- State of California (Initiative Statute)
Should the probationary period for public school teachers be increased from two to five years, and should the process by which school boards can dismiss a permanent certificated employee be modified?
referred to by some as the Governor's "Punish New Teachers" Act
No on 74
Proposition 75. Public Employee Union Dues. Restrictions on Political Contributions. Employee Consent Requirement -- State of California (Initiative Statute)
Should public employee unions be required to obtain annual written consent from each member in order to use a portion of that member's dues for political activity?
referred to by my union as "Stop the Right's Hidden Agenda"
No on 75
Proposition 76. State Spending and School Funding Limits -- State of California (Initiative Constitutional Amendment)
Should Californians make major Constitutional changes to create an additional state spending limit, grant the governor substantial new power to unilaterally reduce state spending, and revise key provisions relating to Proposition 98, school and community college funding, and transportation funding authorized by Proposition 42?
Cuts Schools by $4 Billion - Better CA
Proposition 77. Redistricting. Initiative Constitutional Amendment -- State of California (Initiative Constitutional Amendment)
Should the California Constitution be amended to change the process of redistricting California's State Senate, State Assembly, Congressional and Board of Equalization districts, transferring the implementation of redistricting from the Legislature to a panel of three retired judges, selected by legislative leaders?
Weakens Our Voting Rights, Opposed by the League of Women Voters
No on 77
Proposition 78. Discounts on Prescription Drugs -- State of California (Initiative Statute)
Should the state adopt a new state drug discount program to reduce the costs of prescription drugs for Californians at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level?
referred to by some as the "Drug Industry’s Sham Initiative"
No on 78
Proposition 79. Prescription Drug Discounts. State-Negotiated Rebates -- State of California (Initiative Statute)
Should the state of California create a new prescription drug discount program for residents at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty level, and change state law to make it illegal to engage in profiteering from the sale of prescription drugs?
Affordable Prescription Drugs
Yes on 79
Proposition 80. Electric Service Providers. Regulation -- State of California (Initiative Statute)
Should the state expand its regulation of the electric industry?
Reliable, Affordable, Green Energy
The Utility Reform Network
N on Prop 80
Will have to look for some comments from environmental groups on this one I think...
Good sources of information:
Smart Voter
CA Secretary of State
Health Vote (nonpartisan information about the three November 2005 California ballot propositions dealing with health care: parental notification for the termination of a minor's pregnancy; pharmacy assistance program; and cheaper prescription drugs)
Institute of Governmental Studies at Berkeley
California Voter Foundation
Here's a good summary of how a bunch of different groups recommend voting (from Speak Out California -- basically most people say VOTE NO ON: 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78 and VOTE YES ON: 79, 80
Posted by Emily at October 24, 2005 08:54 AM