LWV Ballot Recommendations Announced
The League of Women Voters of California recommends Yes or No votes on five measures on the November 6 statewide ballot –
YES on Prop 30: Proposition 30 begins to move California toward financial stability and adequate funding for all the services we want from our government; we can’t continue to cut vital public services such as schools and public safety.
NO on Prop 31: Proposition 31 is based on good intentions and has some pieces that, taken alone, the League could support. However, Proposition 31 has several significant flaws and raises questions about whether or not the provisions allow local governments to suspend state environmental requirements.
NO on Prop 32: This measure is not the campaign finance reform measure its proponents say it is. Proposition 32 promises “political reform” but is actually designed by special interests to help themselves and harm their opponents. It unfairly targets one set of large campaign donors while giving other donors unlimited power.
YES on Prop 34: The SAFE California Act will replace the death penalty in California with a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Convicted killers will stay in prison for the rest of their lives, eliminating the possibility of executing an innocent person in California. It will save over $100 million every year— because the court and incarceration costs are so much higher for prisoners at risk for a death penalty.
YES on Prop 40: One last step to lock in independent redistricting for California. The League strongly urges a “YES” vote on this referendum on the state Senate maps drawn by the independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. The question on a referendum is not intuitive; it asks if you want to retain the new law, or in this case, the maps drawn by the Citizens Redistricting Commission. Vote YES to affirm the maps drawn by the Citizens Redistricting Commission.
NEUTRAL on Prop 38 & Prop 39: Adequate revenue to provide for the public good is critically needed. The League supports Prop 30 on this ballot as the best way to provide some relief from the endless cutting of vital government services. We see some merit in Propositions 38 and 39, but have taken a neutral position on them because of their earmarking of revenues.
For more detailed information on the recommendations, go to www.lwvc.org and click on Ballot Recommendations. The League has not studied the issues in Propositions 33, 35, 36 and 37, and therefore has no recommendations.
Editors’ Note: The opinions expressed are those of the League of Women Voters of California. The Piedmont Civic Association does not support or oppose ballot measures or candidates.
