FYI, this is how I will vote on the State Ballot Measures this year. These are not recommendations by GFC or its chapters. Feel free to write me with questions, comments or criticisms. Voting starts Monday, October 5.
Prop 1, Housing Bond: NO
The number of houses this bond would add at taxpayer expense is just a tiny fraction of the millions of new houses needed in California. The only way that changes is liberalization of private-sector housing development, including the creation of new urban communities. Besides, where is the evidence that past housing bonds have made a difference?
Prop 2, Expansion of Rainy Day Fund, NO
As explained here, it can be harmful to boost a Rainy Day Fund so long as the governor and legislature can continue to raid that fund when it’s not raining.
Prop 3, Makes Permanent the 2012 Temporary Income Tax Increase, NO
The additional revenues from the 2012 Temporary Tax Increase have been used to cover increases in spending on unfunded pension liabilities that were created by public pension fund boards favoring plan participants over taxpayers. Making the tax increase permanent will reward the creation of more pension debt. That changes only if Proposition 162 (1992) is revised or plan participants are required to share both normal and unfunded liability costs with taxpayers.
Prop 4, Removes Prohibitions on Public Financing of Candidates, NO
Public financing of candidates will always be gamed, and candidates should be subjected to the consequences of having to compete for financial support.
Prop 5, Eliminates Successor Elections For Recalled State Officers, YES
Recalls should take place when there has been bad behavior, not just because there are better candidates.
Prop 37, Creates Loan Program For Buyers Of New Homes, NO
The state needs more houses, not more mortgages, especially 97% mortgages.
Prop 38, Authorizes Bonds For Immunology Institute, NO
As we’ve seen with the Stem Cell Institute (CIRM), bespoke institutions that are not directly controlled by the governor and legislature can feather the nests of promoters and are not accountable to taxpayers even when taxpayers provide all the funds.
Prop 39, Voter ID, YES
If I have to provide ID whenever I enter a commercial aircraft or the country, I should have to provide ID whenever I enter a voting booth.
Prop 40, SEIU-UHW Tax, NO
Voters should reject any tax proposed by a self-interested organization that would profit from the new tax.
Prop 41, Requires Audits, Prohibits New Taxes Excluded From Gann Limit, YES
The state is already spending more than $500 billion per year with next to no accountability.
Prop 42, Prohibits Retroactive Taxes and New State Taxes On Retirement Accounts, YES
Retirement accounts should always be protected and retroactive taxes should always be illegal.
Prop 43, Two-Thirds Vote Requirement For Local Taxes, YES
Typically I favor majority rule, but fairness demands consistency. So long as one type of local tax-increase measure requires a super-majority, then all types of local tax-increase measures should be subject to the same condition.
Prop 44, Requires Community Health Clinics Spend 90% Of Revenue On Services, NO
Micro-management by statute doesn’t reduce costs. If a clinic can produce better health for its customers even though it spends less than 90% of its revenues on services, so be it. Plus, the measure is promoted by a special interest that wants more dollars to flow into its pockets.
Prop 45, Amends CEQA For Certain Projects, YES
Doesn’t go far enough (CEQA should be amended for all projects) but it’s a good start.
