A Guide to Propositions on the California Ballot - 6 Through 12

Proposition 6: Police and Law Enforcement Funding

• What it means: Proposition 6 is basically requesting that almost $1 million be used to fund police and local law enforcement.
• Pros and cons: This proposition argues that it is a measure that will bring about crime and anti-gang reduction and will increase efficiency and accountability for public safety programs. Proponents against the measure argue that it will take away money from schools, health care and proven public safety programs.
• How I will vote: I’m a big fan of public safety, however I don’t think more money for funding law enforcement is the way to solve crime and reduce gang behavior. I know it takes a lot of money, however I think the fundamental problem lies in the structure of the programs and how officers are trained.

Proposition 7: Renewable Energy Generation

• What it means: This would require government-owned utilities to generate 20 percent of their electricity from renewable energy by 2010. This would cost up to $3.4 million annually and the impact on state and local government costs is unknown.
• Pros and cons: This proposition extends beyond the year 2010. A yes vote would require all utilities to increase their proportion of electricity from renewable sources to 40 percent by 2020 and 50 percent by 2025. However, opponents of the measure say that it’s poorly drafted, results in less renewable power, higher electric rates and a potential energy crisis. It also forces small renewable companies out of California’s market.
• How I will vote: The wording of this entire proposition is really confusing and I’m not really clear on it by any means, however leading environmental groups including the California Solar Energy Industries Association, the Union of Concerned Scientists, the California Green Party and BOTH the California Democratic and Republican Party. They argue that it is so poorly written that it would hurt the cause of renewable energy, and I couldn’t agree more, seeing as to how I couldn’t fully understand it just by reading a few paragraphs.

Proposition 8: Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry

• What it means: Proposition 8 would change the California Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry. It would also mean that only a marriage between a man and a woman would be valid in the state. The fiscal impact includes potential revenue loss.
• Pros and cons: Supporters argue that this proposition fixes the mistake committed by four judges in San Francisco who overturned “the people’s vote” to ban gay marriage. They argue that “it doesn’t take away any rights or benefits from gay domestic partners” but that it reaffirms traditional marriage. Those against the measure argue that “equality under the law is a fundamental freedom” and that singling people out to be treated differently is wrong.
• How I will vote: There is perhaps no other proposition on this ballot that I feel as strongly about as this one. The people who support yes on proposition 8 are in my opinion homophobic, bigoted and hateful scums of the Earth. How dare anyone tell another person who they have the right to marry and who they do not? How dare you take a fundamental right away from other human beings, who have just as much right to love anyone they want and get married to anyone they want as you? I will be whole-heartedly voting NO on proposition 8 and I encourage anyone who is reading this to vote no on it with me.

Proposition 9: Criminal Justice System: Victim’s Rights and Parole

• What it means: This proposition requires notification to the victim and opportunity for input during phases of the criminal justice process, including bail, please, sentencing and parole. It would also mean that payments of restitution without be required to crime victims without exception and that early release of inmates to reduce prison or jail overcrowding would be restricted in certain circumstances.
• Pros and cons: People in favor of this proposition argue that California’s constitution gives convicted criminals generous rights, and that crime victims don’t have similar protections which they are entitled to. They also say it will improve public safety and justice, giving victims enforceable constitutional rights. Those against the measure say that it asks voters to support victims’ rights already protected under state law and that the millions of dollars it requires will not go to crime victims, however it will go to building more prisons.
• How I will vote: As a whole, I think this sounds good in theory, but this proposition is a bit useless, considering the fact that voters have already approved many components of it when they passed California Proposition 8 in 1982. Notable organizations that are against Prop. 9 include the California Democratic Party, the California Teachers Association and the Los Angeles Times. I will be voting no.

Proposition 10: Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Renewable Energy.

• What it means: This proposition will authorize $5 billion in bonds paid from the state’s General Fund to help consumers purchase alternative certain vehicles and fund research in renewable energy. It would cost the state $10 billion every 30 years to repay bonds.
• Pros and cons: The argument goes that a yes vote will produce more electricity from solar and wind power as well as give Californians rebates to purchase clean alternative fuel vehicles, while getting polluting diesels off the roads. On the other hand, those against it say that it gives away billions in taxpayer dollars to benefit one company with little accountability and actually does not guarantee the environmental benefit.
• How I will vote: The Clean Energy Fuels Corp. which is owned by Boone Pickens (the 117th richest person in the world, according to Forbes magazine) has donated over $17 million to this proposition. Interestingly, the company is the largest provider of vehicular natural gas for fleets of vehicles in North America. It’s obvious that this proposition is entirely self-serving for the Clean Energy Fuels Crop. I’m going to stick it to the man and vote no.

Proposition 11: Redistricting

• What it means: Proposition 11 changes authority for establishing state office boundaries from elected representatives to commission. Como what? Basically, Prop. 11 would, according to the Los Angeles Times, “change the process that is undertaken once every ten years of setting (which sometimes means re-drawing) the geographic boundaries of the state’s 120 legislative districts and four Board of Equalization districts. At present, the task of setting these boundaries falls to the state legislature itself. If Proposition 11 passes, that task would instead be given to a new, 14-member commission.”
• Pros and cons: Supporters of this proposition say that this would end the conflict of interest of politicians that draw their own election districts. This would mean that politicians would be held accountable for solving problems like gas prices, health care and education. Those who do not support it argue that the power of the vote is being undermined by this proposition, stating that the power to drawing districts are going to be given to people who are never elected and never accountable to voters.
• How I will vote: If politicians are being forced to be held accountable for things they should have been accountable for in the first place, then my vote is yes