Yesterday I published my CA statewide ballot initiative recommendations for the upcoming election on November 6. Today’s list endorses state and local office candidates, as well as upcoming LA City Charter Amendments. Remember to vote November 6!

Governor - Gavin Newsom. Newsom’s public positions on civil rights, health care, immigration rights and environmental issues make him my choice for governor. Given today’s political climate and the GOP’s continued loyalty to Donald Trump, I do not believe California can afford to vote for John Cox.

United States Senator - No endorsement.

Lt. Governor - No endorsement.

Secretary of State - Alex Padilla.

Controller - Betty Yee.

Treasurer - Fiona Ma.

Attorney General - Xavier Becerra.

Insurance Commissioner - Ricardo Lara.

State Board of Equalization 3rd District - Tony Vazquez.

United States Representative, 30th District - Brad Sherman.

CA State Senator, 18th District - Bob Hertzberg.

CA State Assembly, 46th District - Adrin Nazarian.

CA Supreme Court and Appeals Court Justices - LA Times has an overview of why to vote yes for these justices.

LA County Measure W - YES. Measure W is a $0.025 parcel tax per square foot of “impermeable area” to capture and cleanup storm water. There are credits available to properties that address stormwater runoff. The LA Times doesn’t have an endorsement on it as I can tell, but it does have a good overview of it here.

LA City Measure B - YES. This measure gives LA the right to create a municipal bank. Now y’all might think I’m nuts for voting yes, and maybe I am. After all, there’s really no parameters set for the creation and management of such a bank. Additionally, a municipal bank might be subject to influence and benefit local special interests, such as developers. Politicians may try to use the bank to influence and gain favors. As well as push for investments that benefit political donors. And yet, the prospect of local banking and capital management might actually lead to more investment in Los Angeles. A bank of Los Angeles that has local influence and local incentives might actually work for the benefit of Los Angeles residents, much in the way that employee federal credit unions try to work for the benefit of the employees of a company. it may spur more investment in local housing. If a bank of Los Angeles can open up doors to more investments in housing, transportation, and infrastructure with public accountability then I’m for taking the risk.

LA Measures E and EE - YES. These measures align LA City and LAUSD election dates to the state’s primary election dates. This will help boost voter turnout.