Here we are again, more ballot initiatives. I won’t go on another rant about the process other than to say that I thought the voter guide legislative analysis was not as informative or well written as it has been in years past. Onto the recommendations:

Proposition 14 - NO. Prop 14 authorizes another $5.5 billion for stem cell research. Sounds good in principle, except we don’t really know how well the $3B approved in 2004 was spent, other than a vague pie chart with that doesn’t even have amounts or percentages attached to it. We are in a pandemic right now, and I believe our triage efforts should be focused on relief for housing, food insecurity, health care and education; if we have to borrow money it should be for these items. Not sure why we have to approve this bond at this moment.

Proposition 15 - YES. Prop 15 would permit businesses with over $3 million in land and buildings to be taxed at current market value to be used for schools and local governments, both of which are in dire need of funding during this pandemic. It also reduces taxes on business equipment. We need to invest in our schools and cities - vote YES on Prop 15.

Proposition 16 - YES. Prop 16 would repeal Prop 209, the 1996 measure that prohibited consideration of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public education, public employment and public contracting (a/k/a “affirmative action”). This measure would permit consideration of these characteristics as one of several factors when making these decisions. Opponents will say that we should not consider any of these issues - that to do so would be racist. The problem with that argument is that government policies create racial inequities today, and these policies and results must be remediated. Permitting consideration of these characteristics as one factor in making decisions is a reasonable place to begin to chart a path to real equity. YES on 16.

Proposition 17 - YES. Prop 17 would restore the right to vote for prisoners who have been released from prison but are still on parole. Parole is supposed to be a chance and a pathway back to civilian life. Giving a person a voice at the ballot box is one way to get that person invested back into civil society. YES on 17.

Proposition 18 - YES. Prop 18 would give 17 year olds the right to vote in a primary if they would be 18 in November. Us adults have done a fine job of mucking things up for our kids’ future. My older son would qualify for this when he is 17 and I would GLADLY give him a vote. YES on 18.

Proposition 19 - NO. Currently seniors over 55 can keep their Prop 13 tax benefit if they downsize to a new home if they so choose if that home is equal or less than their existing home - the theory being that we don’t necessarily want seniors to be penalized if they want to sell and downsize their home. This tax benefit can be used only once. Prop 19 would expand this benefit to permit purchase of more expensive homes, and increases the access to the tax benefit to three times. We don’t need to expand Prop 13 benefits. No on 19.

Proposition 20 - NO. This is an insane measure that authorizes felony charges for theft between $250 and $950. Really? We do not need to fill up our jails for this. No on 20.

Proposition 21 - YES. Prop 21 would expand rent control to cover buildings over 15 years old; currently only buildings built prior to 1995 are subject to rent control. Additionally, currently single family homes and condos are exempt from rent control. Prop 21 would permit rent control on single family homes and condos if an individual owns more than two homes. Cities need tools to address our current housing and rent crisis, especially during COVID. Yes on 19.

Proposition 22 - NO. This measure would turn Uber and Lyft drivers, currently classified as employees by California, back into independent contractors and overrule California law that provides significant protections for these drivers. This is massively supported by the rideshare companies. No on 22.

Proposition 23 - NO IDEA SO I AM VOTING NO. Prop 23 would require a physician to be on-site all hours of a dialysis center’s operations. Proponents claim safety, opponents say not necessary and unduly raises costs. I am not a health professional and this is the type of thing the legislature should regulate instead of the general public... right?

Proposition 24 - NO. Prop 24 will make changes to California’s landmark Consumer Privacy Act. The Electronic Frontier Foundation has a good rationale opposing it here.

Proposition 25 - YES. This proposition would end cash bail in California and replace it with a risk assessment. Cash bail permits those with money to get out of jail pretrial but not those who don’t have the money. Opponents rightly point out that risk assessments may become arbitrary and impact BLIPOC communities. But cash bail discriminates against these communities TODAY. The LAT has a good rundown here.