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Monday, October 11, 2010

California State Propositions Ballot Recommendations

My ballot recommendations for the state propositions are the same as that of the Southern California Tax Revolt Coalition with one exception.

PROP 19 - B-Daddy Yes, SoCal Tax Revolt - NO

Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010
• Regardless of one’s position on Marijuana use, this initiative creates an ENTIRELY NEW BUREAUCRACY (i.e. new state employees) to regulate the industry.
  • B-Daddy's response. We will never end drug prohibition unless we first move through some regulation, just like we have with alcohol. Doesn't make it right, just being realistic about what is needed to end the drug war.

PROP 20 - YES

Redistricting of Congressional Districts
• A voter-approved independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, vs. politicians, will be in charge of REDISTRICTING OF CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS in addition to drawing state legislative districts.


PROP 21 - NO

Vehicle License Fee for Parks Act
• Would increase vehicle license fees in the state by $18 a year on most vehicles in order to raise about $500 million a year in a dedicated fund for the state's 278 parks. Drivers will be allowed to enter parks for free, but fees INSIDE parks will increase. Just another Car Tax, not budget reform.

PROP 22 - NO

The Local Taxpayer, Public Safety, and Transportation Protection Act
• Trickiest measure on the ballot. Worthy intentions of sending tax dollars back to local governments, but the ACTUAL LANGUAGE will codify redevelopment agencies and severely restrict how local governments can use their own tax dollars. Strengthens eminent domain powers. Needs a re-write.


PROP 23 - YES * YES * YES


Initiative to Suspend AB 32, the Global Warming Act of 2006
• Would suspend AB32 until unemployment drops to 5.5 percent or less for a full year. AB32 is Cap & Trade...a massive tax and regulation scheme that will cost California 1.1 Million jobs and the average family upwards of $3000 in added household expenses every year. Homeowners, businesses and municipalities will suffer under massive unfunded mandates and regulation. California’s economy is on the verge of collapse and cannot afford to become an even more hostile environment for businesses and families. SAVE A MILLION JOBS.
  • B-Daddy adds - Cap and trade is the lousiest way to advance an agenda of carbon reduction, and will in fact do nothing. Further, carbon production will just move out of state and harm our economy while doing nothing to actually reduce emissions. A single state can not do anything about this issue.

PROP 24 - NO

Repeal of Corporate Tax Breaks
• At a time when unemployment is spiraling, California cannot afford to drive away MORE companies and employers.
  • B-Daddy adds: This proposition will impact small businesses, not just multinationals. While the subject of how to appropriately tax businesses is somewhat arcane, burdening small businesses at this time seems especially fool hardy.





PROP 25 - NO * NO * NO

Majority Vote for Legislature to Pass the Budget
• HIDDEN in the language of this initiative is the authority of the legislature to USE A SIMPLE MAJORITY RAISE SALES, INCOME & GAS TAXES if those taxes are IN the budget...undoing Prop 13’s 2/3’s majority that protects taxpayers. It will also make it too easy to pass budgets that are full of gimmicks.


PROP 26 - YES

Supermajority Vote to Pass New Taxes and Fees Act
• Would require a two-thirds supermajority vote, instead of a simple majority, in the California State Legislature to pass many fees, levies, charges and tax revenue allocations. Would stop the growing number of hidden taxes that plague Californians.



PROP 27 - NO

Elimination of the Citizen Redistricting Commission
• Would eliminate the citizen based State Commission on Redistricting and consolidate authority BACK in the hands of the California Legislature.

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