Proposition 2 authorizes $10 billion in bonds to repair, upgrade and construct facilities at K-12 public schools (including charter schools), community colleges and career technical education programs, including for improvement of health and safety conditions and classroom upgrades.
Although the cost will be about $500 million per year for 35 years to pay off the bonds, this is needed to keep our schools first class. We urge a yes vote on Proposition 2.
Proposition 3 makes same-sex marriage official. Nearly a decade ago, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned 2008’s Proposition 8 and its bans on same-sex marriages. However, California’s constitution has still not adopted the federal precedent of the fundamental right to marry who you want. The current constitution states that “marriage is only between a man and a woman.”
Prop 3 would amend this passage to reflect the progress of our nation and to ensure everyone can obtain a marriage license. Vote yes on Proposition 3.
Proposition 4 on the Nov. 5 ballot authorizes the state to issue $10 billion in general obligation bonds to fund projects that ensure safe drinking water, increased fire prevention, and protect communities and natural lands from climate risks.
While the cost to the state could be as much as $400 million annually, not addressing the problems of safe drinking water and wildfire mitigation could cost much more. We urge a yes vote on Proposition 4.
Proposition 5 allows localities which place bond issues for affordable housing and public infrastructure to have them approved with 55 percent of the vote instead of the current two-thirds vote.
We favor a majority over a two-thirds vote for approval in this case. We urge a yes vote on Proposition 5.
Proposition 6 would close a loophole statewide that still allows the draconian practice and involuntary prison labor. The Los Altos Town Crier supports a “yes” vote on the proposition.
Prop 6 would prohibit California from using involuntary work assignments as punishment. Additionally, those who refuse to work such projects will no longer be subject to being disciplined for noncompliance. If Prop 6 passes, inmate work will be optional. In lieu of forced work assignments, state prisons can create voluntary work programs that would allow time to be taken off sentences based on credits. We urge a yes vote on Proposition 6.
Proposition 32 will raise the minimum wage statewide to $18 in 2026 and continue to increase based on how fast inflation is growing. Labor groups are in favor, saying the initiative would help meet basic needs for low-wage workers. The business community is against, saying wage hikes will discourage hiring.
But the cost of living (especially in the Bay Area) is getting so bad, businesses will attract fewer and fewer workers (and certainly won’t retain any of these workers) if current minimum wages stay the same. We say yes on Proposition 32.
Proposition 33, perhaps the most controversial proposition on the ballot, marks the third time since 2018 that the AIDS Healthcare Foundation has proposed elimination of the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995. The act bans rent control on any housing built after February 1995. Prop 33 also prohibits the state from controlling a city or county’s right to “maintain, enact or expand residential rent control.”
We agree that housing is a right, but Prop 33 goes too far, not only allowing for rent control on everything, but potentially limiting rent beyond what is reasonable. A 2019 state law capping rent control to 5% a year plus inflation, or no more than 10%, would not be repealed, contrary to No on 33 ads. But opponents argue 33 could let individual cities ignore the state cap and undermine 33. Either way, the result of 33 will be a deterrent to building new housing, and to availability of rental housing. Renters could simply pull from the market and sell properties. This undermines increased housing – and affordable housing – both key to addressing the state’s housing shortage. There’s too much risk of unintended consequences. We urge a no vote on Proposition 33.
Proposition 34 requires health care providers that spent more than $100 million in any 10-year period on anything other than direct patient care (the AIDS Healthcare Foundation) to spend 98% of revenues from the federal discount prescription drug program on direct patient care, and penalizes violators of the initiative with loss of tax-exempt status and licenses to operate health insurance plans, pharmacies and clinics.
All you need to know is that 34’s major sponsor is the California Apartment Association, which is using a disguised healthcare initiative as retaliation against the AIDS Healthcare Foundation for its attempts at expanding rent control. An additional disincentive is that it could cost the state millions of dollars to ensure entities’ compliance with the measure. Vote no on Proposition 34.
Proposition 35 makes permanent the existing tax on managed health care insurance plans, which, if approved by the federal government, provides revenue to pay Medi-Cal health care services. Prop. 35 addresses the current, urgent health care crisis – without raising taxes – and protects access to care. While the cost in the short term could be as much as $1 billion to $2 billion annually, we urge a yes vote on Proposition 35.
Proposition 36 will change some misdemeanors for crimes, such as drug use, to felonies based on previous convictions. If someone who was convicted of shoplifting and burglary twice in the past is booked and charged with another crime, like petty theft (theft of property worth less than $950), they will be charged with a felony that results in a stint in state prison or a county jail for up to three years.
Drug addiction is not a crime, it’s a societal failure. Instead of adding to the state prison population, increasing the state court workload and criminalizing crimes of desperation, money should be contributed to working on effective and inclusive help for those struggling with drugs. Vote no on Proposition 36.
