A Guide to California Ballot Measures •Jello Biafra's Wrath •Emi Guereca
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Make it count! • A guide to california ballot measures • Jello Biafra’s wrath • Emi Guereca inspires women voters ® OCTOBER 30 - NOVEMBER 3, 2020 / VOL. 42 / NO. 51 / LAWEEKLY.COM 2 WWW.LAWEEKLY.COM | October 30 - November 6, 2020 | LA WEEKLY NEWS the California Pro-Life council, say that while any individual individual or group on the basis research is useful, it has yet to produce ground- of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin 3 breaking cures for degenerative diseases. And in the operation of public employment, public now that federal funding for embryonic re- education, or public contracting,” which essen- LA search is no longer banned, California should tially eradicated Affirmative Action practices. WEEKLY look into federal funding options. Considering the heightened climate due to While more than $13 million were contrib- social injustice across the nation, Prop. 16 has uted to the “yes” campaign for Prop 14, $250 received more than $16 million in support from A GUIDE TO THE were contributed for opposers, all coming from organizations like the California Teachers As- | the California Pro-Life Council. sociation, and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Yes: Allocates $5.5 billion through general and Hospitals, as supporters want to see Af- 6, 2020 October 30 - November obligation bonds for the California Institute firmative Action policies reintegrated into the of Regenerative Medicine. workforce and public education. No: Opposes allocating $5.5 billion through The opposition had significantly less in con- 2020 CALIFORNIA general obligation bonds for the California In- tributions ($1.2 million), notably from the Stu- stitute of Regenerative Medicine. dents for Fair Admissions organization and San Diego-based attorney Gail Heriot. Proposition 15: Tax on Commercial and The Prop. 16 opposition looks to keep the Industrial Properties for Education and Local policies the same, and claims that the meaning BALLOT MEASURES Government Funding Initiative of true equality is based on the non-preferential BY EVAN J. LANCASTER AND ISAI ROCHA Prop. 15 looks to raise property taxes on treatment of all individuals. commercial properties in order to create more Yes: Repeals Prop. 209 (1996), which states funding for schools and local government. Cur- that, “the government and public institutions cannot discriminate against or grant preferen- rently, commercial and industrial properties in | California pay property taxes based on the pur- tial treatment to persons on the basis of race, chase price. Each year after that, the property’s sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in pub- WWW.LAWEEKLY.COM taxable value is adjusted for inflation by up to lic employment, public education, and public 2 percent. However, Prop. 15 would amend contracting.” Repaling Prop. 209 would allow the California Constitution and require com- government and public entities to use affir- mercial and industrial properties to be taxed mative action to grant preferential treatment on their current market value. based on race, sex, and ethnicity when it comes This is an attempt to institute a “Split Roll to public education, employment and public Tax,” defined by the process in which the state contracting. assesses taxes on commercial and industrial No: Keeps Prop. 209, prohibiting the state properties at market value, while the taxes on from granting any individuals preferential residential property taxes are assessed by pur- treatment based on race, sex or ethnicity. chase price. The state would make exemptions for farm Proposition 17: Voting Rights Restoration land and for small businesses with less than for Persons on Parole Amendment $3 million in holdings in California. If passed, By state law, those who are convicted of a Prop. 15 would also define small business by felony in the state of California need to com- independently owned companies on state plete prison and parole sentences, prior to re- property, with 50 employees or less. gaining the right to vote. Prop. 17 would change Supporters include current Vice Presiden- the rules by allowing people on parole to vote tial Candidate Joe Biden, California Governor — and run for office, as long as the crime com- Gavin Newsom, and the California Teachers mitted did not result in a perjury or bribery Association. A “Yes” vote would increase prop- conviction. erty taxes on commercial businesses, a move Supporters say Prop.17 will lead to more n addition to selecting a candidate for from taxpayers, $1.5 billion would be allocated that could potentially generate between $6.5 civic engagement from convicted felons, which president of the United States, state As- for research for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Dis- billion to $11 billion in new tax revenue an- could have a positive result on rehabilitation. sembly and state Senate, along with local ease and stroke, along with other degenerative nually. However, the opposition for Prop. 17 empha- elected offices, California voters will also diseases. The Prop. 15 opposition, which includes sises that voting is a right that’s earned and the decide the fate of a dozen ballot measures The CIRM was established in 2004, when the California Chamber of Commerce and right will still be available to individuals once in this upcoming election. By now, Californians California voters passed Prop. 71, in response the California Association of Retailers, feel rehabilitated. Ihave seen the political ads pop up, asking for the to a federal funding ban on research using em- the economy must strengthen prior to adding Prop. 17 has received nearly $1 million in public’s “Yes” or “No” vote to support a specific bryonic cells — a critical component of stem massive taxes on commercial properties amid funding from supporters. There are no ma- proposition. cell research. In doing so, the state allocated $3 the financial hardships and uncertainty of the jor donors in opposition of Prop. 17, but the Still, without balanced information on both billion, along with the constitutional right to COVID-19 pandemic. Republican Party of California is part of the sides, it may be difficult to gain a clear picture conduct stem cell research in California. Yes: Supports a Constitutional amendment opposition. of what a vote in either direction will impact. However, the CIRM is now running low on to require commercial and industrial proper- Yes: Supports a constitutional amendment to With ballot measure topics ranging from re- funding — with approximately $132 million ties — with an exception for properties that allow individuals convicted of a felony or who instating the voting rights of convicted felons at hand — and has paused all projects and re- are commercially-zoned for agriculture — to are on parole the right to vote. to repealing affirmative action laws from 1996, search, as of July 2019. be taxed based on market value, rather than No: People on state parole would continue to there is plenty for voters to understand prior to If passed, the funds will be paid through purchase price. be unable to vote in California. casting their votes. California’s General Obligation Bonds — No: Opposes the constitutional amendment. Now, with less than two weeks until Election non-collateral bonds issued by a creditor to Commercial and industrial properties would Proposition 18: Primary Voting for Day, this Proposition Guide offers an explana- municipalities based on creditworthiness — continue to be taxed based on purchase price. 17-Year-Olds tion on each of California’s 2020 ballot mea- with the belief that funds can be regenerated A “Yes” vote on Prop. 18 would allow 17-year- sures, in order to help voters better understand through taxation. The initiaitive’s fiscal impact Proposition 16: Repeal Proposition 209 Af- olds, who will turn 18 by the following general what those “Yes” or “No” votes will actually is estimated to cost California taxpayers $260 firmative Action Amendment election to vote in primaries and special elec- mean in the real world. million per-year for 30 years. Affirmative Action was known as a set of tions. Proposition 14: Stem Cell Research Insti- Supporters of Prop. 14, such as the Califorinia social policies and resources aimed at helping Currently, more than a dozen states and tute Bond Initiative (2020) Democratic Party, including Gov. Gavin New- advance the employment and opportunities of Washington D.C. allow 17-year-olds to vote Prop. 14 would distribute $5.5 billion to the som and Mayor Eric Garcetti, say CIRM re- minority groups. in the primary election, as long as they will be California Institute for Regenerative Medicine search has led to medical breakthroughs, along In 1996 California voters passed Prop. 209, 18 by the next general election. (CIRM), California’s primary stem cell research with thousands of jobs in the biotech industry. which stated that California “shall not discrimi- agency. Of the $5.5 billion CIRM would borrow Those who oppose the proposition, such as nate against, or grant preferential treatment to, California voters will now have the opportunity to lower the voting age in their state. However, 4 there are mixed emotions behind lowering the voting age. Supporters argue that individuals are already paying taxes prior to the age of 18, so giving them a right to vote should be an in- centive for those in the workforce and already WEEKLY WEEKLY contributing to society. Those that oppose say that 17 years old is too LA young to be tasked with civic responsibility. Ad- ditionally, many teens are impressionable and | lack the resources needed to make informed decisions about the real world — without pa- rental supervision. Yes: Allows 17-year-olds, who will turn 18 by the following general election, to vote in primaries and special elections. No: No one younger than 18 years of age may vote in any election. Proposition 19: Property Tax Transfers, Ex- emptions, and Revenue for Wildfire Agencies and Counties Amendment For homeowners over the age of 55, home- October 30 - November 6, 2020 October 30 - November owners suffering from severe disabilities, and certain misdemeanor property crimes.