Harrison Chan

Ms. Kipfstuhl

American Democracy

24 October 2010

Elections 2011, California Propositions

Prop # Main Points Pros Cons Major Backers

19 -Legalize marijuana for -Allows resources that -Encourages drug use SK Seymour LLC, a
people age 21 or older would have been spent Medical Cannabis
to grow or have in stopping weed to be Provider
small quantities for used elsewhere
personal use
  -Allow posession of up -Fewer people occupying -Brings state into Divisions of the
to 4 oz of marijuana at jail space for using or conflict with federal ACLU
a time selling weed gov't, could result in
lost federal funds
  -Eliminates profits -Potential source of   Former LA Deputy
from illegal cannabis revenue for the state via Sheriffs
importation by cartels taxes
        Several DA's
        Oakland City
Council
        Also other CA
state and local
officals
20 -Would have the -Districts would -Potential increase in Charles T Munger
Citizens Redistricting potentially be more cost of taxpayers' JR
Commission redraw equally distributed and dollars
congressional districts less partisan
on 10 year schedule
    -Would be a commission -Commission is not Charlotte A Lowell
the people chose to accountable to voters
draw all districts
21 -Charge car owners -Increase funding to -No guarantee money The Nature
$18 on annual state parks and wildlife will be used on state Conservancy
registration programs parks
  -Money would go -Reopen some state -Not actual budget Conservation
towards state parks parks that were closed as reform, instead sets Action Fund
and wildlife programs a result of state funding aside money for other
cuts cause
  -Trailers and -Continue to keep parks    
commecial vehicles and beaches open
not charged $18
  -Cars that pay have      
free admission and
day use at all state
parks
22 -Reduces state level -Stops state from -State cannot access League of
control over spending appropriating money for other funds to put California Cities
of transportation or itself towards education
local gov't money during bad economic
times
  -State cannot borrow -Protects funds for public -Interests of local California Alliance
from federal funds services such as police ahead of the state for Jobs Rebuild
intended for other and firefighters California
agencies Committee
23 -Suspend state rules -Would protect economy -Global warming laws Valero
on greenhouse gases for the moment put on hold
to meet AB 32 goals
  -Until unemployment   -Fewer clean energy Tesoro
rate in Clifornia drops jobs
to 5.5% for 1 year
  -Not expected to lift   -Lower clean energy  
for many years, during and pollution
which time, the state standards
cannot adpt or enforce
AB 32 regulations
24 -Some business would -Cannot afford current -Billions in extra taxes California
play lower income tax tax cuts will come out of Teachers
consumer pockets Associations
Issues PAC
  -All taxes based on -Ends tax breaks for   America's Families
levels set before tax large, out of state First, Inc
law changes corporatiosn
25 -Lower majority in -Allow majority vote on -Easier for one California
State Assembly from budget like 47 other political party to Associations of
2/3 to 50% +1 states control budget Teachers,
Firefighters,
School
Employees,
Faculty, School
Employees, and
more
  -State lawmakers -No minority of -Allows lawmakers  
permanently lose lawmakers controlling too much control over
salary plus living and budget their expense
travel expenses for accounts
ever day budget is late
26 -Treat state and local -Harder for politicians to -Harder to collect fees CA Business PAC
fees as taxes impose taxes by calling from big companies
 them "fees"
  -Wouuld require 2/3 -Keeps state -Argue that Chevron
majority to effect new environmental and protections for
fees consumer protections business should not
laws be in State
Constitution
  -Generally address      
health, environmental,
or economic concerns
27 -Eliminate Citizens -Bring redistricting back -Is a power grab by California groups
Redistricting to officials accountable politicians for teachers,
Commission to the people firefighters, nurses,
retired Americans,
and more
  -State Legislature -Potentially save -Undo reform passed  
would redraw state taxpayers money, limit by voters in 2008
districts costs of redistricting
  -Lawmakers can draw      
districts to be partisan
Proposition 19
Proposition 19 is a move funded primarily by California’s medical marijuana dispensaries. The

proposition would certainly free state and municipal resources from tracking down non-violent

marijuana crimes. Current marijuana dispensaries would probably see an increase in profits as they have

the product to handle a new, legal demand. Agencies such as the Border Patrol and Drug Enforcement

Agency would have a lightened workload. They could focus on more dangerous narcotics, rather than

tracking marijuana. Drug cartels that prosper on marijuana would fall, no longer having the demand to

support a black market for their product.

Proposition 21
Proposition 21 is an ineffective solution to a more massive problem. It does nothing to help

solve the budget crisis, which is the highest priority right now. However, it does offer potentially

promising support to our state parks. Having a fund for the parks guarantees their continued usability

and accessibility to all. State parks are an important part of California’s tourism industry, drawing visitors

to such places as Sequoia National Park and Yosemite. Both are “trademark” California locations that

draw thousands to California every year.

Proposition 23
Proposition 23 is an attempt by big oil companies to put off clean energy laws into the

foreseeable future. Effectively, Prop 23 will put all AB 32 laws on hold until unemployment drops below

5.5%, which is unlikely to happen before the 2020 deadline for AB 32, if ever. Holding AB 32 will reduce

the number of green energy jobs that had been growing in California. Instead of promoting a better long

term future, we seek a solution in the short term that serves only to destroy our planet further and does

nothing to solve the unemployment or budget problem. Oil companies will keep doing what they do,

and new jobs will not become available. Development in green energy guarantees growth and increases

in the number of jobs in California.

Proposition 25
Proposition 25 would be an effective way to get a state budget out by the deadline. Permanently

lowering the salaries of state lawmakers is an excellent incentive for them to push out an effective

budget on time. It is far better incentive than merely withholding paychecks until the acceptance of a

new budget. Lowering the requirement for the majority vote is potentially a questionable portion of the

bill, but it does reduce the opportunity for tyranny by a minority. Equalizing the government will help

California more in the long run.

Proposition 27
Proposition 27 is no more than a power grab by career politicians. The state Legislature has

proposed that they redraw the districts and allow for districts to favor one party over another. This

blatant gerrymandering is a tyranny of a minority that seeks only personal gain. Not only does it place

too much power in the hands of the legislature, it takes too much power from the people. Instead of

letting the people create equal districts, power will be concentrated in the hands of a single party in any

given district.