California Propositions for November 8, 2016
PROP 51: SCHOOL BONDS
Should voters authorize $9 billion in general education bonds for new schools & modernization?
PROS: schools will have the money to maintain their facilities & build new ones for the growing population.
CONS: bond debts are expensive and will cost the state too much money.
PROP 52: HOSPITAL FEES
Right now, lawmakers currently have to reach a simple majority vote in order to divert Medi-Cal funds (which are meant to fund health for the state's poor). If voted in, this proposition would require lawmakers to reach a 2/3 majority vote in order to divert funds. It would also prevent an existing government fund for hospitals from expiring in 2017.
PROS: easier for hospitals & other healthcare facilities to obtain and maintain money.
CONS: makes it more difficult for government to modify funds when needed.
PROP 53: REVENUE BONDS
This proposition would prevent the state from issuing more than $2 billion in public infrastructure bonds without voter approval if repaying those bonds would increase taxes & fees.
PROS: ensures that the state doesn't have a blank check.
CONS: makes getting funds for construction projects less efficient; slows down current projects.
PROP 54: LEGISLATIVE TRANSPARENCY
This proposition would require lawmakers to wait 72 hours after a bill is made public before voting on it (except for national emergencies). This prop would also require Legislature to post videos of all their public hearings online.
PROS: makes the government more transparent and would not cost taxpayers anything.
CONS: would make the lawmaking process more inefficient and prevent bipartisanship.
PROP 55: TAX EXTENSION
In 2012, prop 30 was voted in, creating a temporary tax on people with personal incomes of $250,000 or more. The extra funds were primarily used for public schools. Prop 55 would extend this tax for 12 more years.
PROS: would prevent public schools from having billions of dollars cut from their fund.
CONS: would keep the tax temporary as promised and reduce taxes on those who had to fund it.
PROP 56: CIGARETTE TAX
Would cause the cigarette tax in California to raise from $0.87 to $2.87. Part of the extra revenue would go into tobacco-related healthcare and antismoking programs.
PROS: creates more incentives to quit smoking and generates revenue for antismoking research & healthcare.
CONS: unfair to the poor and creates antismoking campaigns dependent on revenues from cigarettes.
PROP 58: ENGLISH IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Removes ban on bilingual education; students would be able to take combination non-English/English courses in public schools.
PROS: allows students to learn English faster and easier, better education for multilingual students, creates cultural empathy.
CONS: requires a large amount of money to go towards language teachers.
PROP 59: ADVISORY MEASUREMENT
Asks voters whether or not there should be an amendment that no longer allows unlimited union and corporate spending for federal candidates.
PROS: would limit federal candidates from excessive spending, ensures voice of the people is heard.
CONS: advisory measure, so does not actually affect change.
PROP 60: CONDOMS IN PORN
Would require adult entertainers to use condoms in porn. It would also make those in the industry liable for certain violations. Producers would have to pay for certain health exams.
PROS: would hold pornographers accountable for health and safety, reduces STI risks in performers.
CONS: would cause many lawsuits and cost taxpayers.
PROP 61: PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS
Requires state agencies to pay the same price as the US Dept. of Veteran Affairs pays for prescription drugs (a lower price).
PROS: more accessible medication, prevents price-gouging from pharm companies.
CONS: reduces availability of some drugs as well as research.
PROP 62: REPEAL OF DEATH PENALTY
Gets rid of the death penalty. The new maximum punishment in California would be life without parole.
PROS: replaces costly, inefficient death penalty program; reduces racial disparity in death sentencing.
CONS: protects criminals, more expensive because of amount of people in prison.
PROP 63: AMMUNITION SALES
Requires background checks on ammunition sales, bans possession of large-capacity rifles, and requires gun owners to inform police if their weapons have been stolen.
PROS: stricter gun control, makes it more difficult for violent people to obtain weapons.
CONS: restricts second amendment, would not reduce violence.
PROP 64: MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION
Allows the state to legalize, license, tax, and regulate the sale/use of recreational marijuana.
PROS: saves money by decriminalizing marijuana use, raises money with revenues.
CONS: encourages drug use and increases crimes.
PROP 65: BAG TAX
Should the taxes stores place on paper bags be sent to a fund for environmental projects?
PROS: more funding for environmental project and an incentive to stop using paper bags.
CONS: hurts businesses as they will no longer keep the taxes made on paper bags.
PROP 66: DEATH PENALTY FIX
Speeds up the process for death penalties and limits appeals for inmates on death row.
PROS: would eliminate costs from too many inmates living for decades on death row.
CONS: would increase the chance of executing someone innocent/someone who doesn't deserve it.
PROP 67: PLASTIC BAG REFERENDUM
Causes 2014 the state ban on plastic bags to go into effect immediately.
PROS: finally puts into effect something California voters have already decided on, protects environment.
CONS: immediately creates a tax on citizens.