California Props

[Reason]

prop 19 yes
prop 20 yes
prop 21 no
prop 22 yes
prop 23 yes
prop 24 no
prop 25 no
prop 26 yes
prop 27 no

 

[dannno]

# 19 Legalizes Marijuana Under California but Not Federal Law. Permits Local Governments to Regulate and Tax Commercial Production, Distribution, and Sale of Marijuana. Initiative Statute.

# 20 Redistricting of Congressional Districts. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.

# 21 Establishes $18 Annual Vehicle License Surcharge to Help Fund State Parks and Wildlife Programs. Grants Surcharged Vehicles Free Admission to All State Parks. Initiative Statute.

# 22 Prohibits the State from Borrowing or Taking Funds Used for Transportation, Redevelopment, or Local Government Projects and Services. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.

# 23 Suspends Implementation of Air Pollution Control Law (AB 32) Requiring Major Sources of Emissions to Report and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions That Cause Global Warming, Until Unemployment Drops to 5.5 Percent or Less for Full Year. Initiative Statute.

# 24 Repeals Recent Legislation That Would Allow Businesses to Lower Their Tax Liability. Initiative Statute.

# 25 Changes Legislative Vote Requirement to Pass Budget and Budget-Related Legislation from Two-Thirds to a Simple Majority. Retains Two-Thirds Vote Requirement for Taxes. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.

# 26 Requires That Certain State and Local Fees Be Approved by Two-Thirds Vote. Fees Include Those That Address Adverse Impacts on Society or the Environment Caused by the Fee-Payer's Business. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.

# 27 Eliminates State Commission on Redistricting. Consolidates Authority for Redistricting with Elected Representatives. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.

 

[Deinonychus]

That's how I'm voting too, Reason.

 

[South Park Fan]

Same way I'm voting.

 

[iloveronpaul]

Mostly the same but... I've been digging around and I found some stuff about Monsanto and George Soros supporting prop 19. Makes you wonder... Don't get me wrong I'm 100% against the drug war, not just pot.

I was just wondering what you guys thought.

 

[dannno]

Mostly the same but... I've been digging around and I found some stuff about Monsanto and George Soros supporting prop 19. Makes you wonder... Don't get me wrong I'm 100% against the drug war, not just pot.

I was just wondering what you guys thought.

Well the Obama admin has said that it will continue to prosecute non-medicinal cannabis in CA if it is legalized. Not sure why Monsanto would be supporting this, also this is about more than the specific regulations of the bill..

Don't buy the hype on pot legalization
By Jeffrey A. Miron, Special to CNN
October 19, 2010 9:27 a.m. EDT

Editor's note: Jeffrey A. Miron is senior lecturer in economics and director of undergraduate studies at Harvard University and a senior fellow at the Cato Institute.

...

If Prop 19 passes, this will encourage other states to legalize. And if enough states do so, the pressure on the federal government could pass a tipping point.

In a free society, the presumption must be that people can smoke, snort, eat or inject whatever they wish, so long as they do not harm others. The burden of proof should rest on those who would ban marijuana, not those who want it legal. That burden has never been met.

By adopting Prop 19, California can restore a presumption of liberty. That is reason enough.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/10/19/miron.prop.19/index.html?hpt=T2


Interesting read..

 

[Brian4Liberty]

I need to research these...be back later.

 

[Free Moral Agent]

I will be voting YES on Prop 25.

Prop 25 provides that all members of the Legislature will permanently forfeit any reimbursement for salary and expenses for every day until the day the Legislature passes a budget bill. It also preserves the constitutional requirement that 2/3rds of the Legislature must approve new or higher taxes.

Couple that with the passing of Prop 26 that redefines "fees" as taxes and you got a responsible budget that won't be held captive to last minute Republicrat concessions.

Right now Sacramento politicians could care less if a budget is late, they still get paid after it passes! They are beholden to their pockets, not a date on the calendar.

I would be curious to find out how different last year's budget would have been if Prop 25 were passed... I have a hard time believing Republicans that held out ended up saving CA more money than if the budget was passed on time by a majority and signed off by the Governor. Last year's late budget cost taxpayers $8 million in interest payments on IOUs alone, being late is becoming a liability for the state.

 

[Brian4Liberty]

Here are the California Libertarian Party recommendations:

http://www.ca.lp.org/201011_proposition.shtml/

LPC Proposition Recommendations - November 2010

* Proposition 19: VOTE YES
* Changes California Law to Legalize Marijuana and Allow It to Be Regulated and Taxed
*
* Proposition 20: No position taken
* Redistricting of Congressional Districts
*
* Proposition 21: VOTE NO
* Establishes $18 Annual Vehicle License Surcharge to Help Fund State Parks and Wildlife Programs and Grants Free Admission to All State Parks to Surcharged Vehicles
*
* Proposition 22: VOTE YES
* Prohibits the State from Taking Funds Used for Transportation or Local Government Projects and Services
*
* Proposition 23: VOTE YES
* Suspends Air Pollution Control Laws Requiring Major Polluters to Report and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions That Cause Global Warming Until Unemployment Drops Below Specified Level for Full Year
*
* Proposition 24: No position taken
* Repeals Recent Legislation That Would Allow Businesses to Carry Back Losses, Share Tax Credits, and Use a Sales-Based Income Calculation to Lower Taxable Income
*
* Proposition 25: VOTE NO
* Changes Legislative Vote Requirement to Pass a Budget from Two-Thirds to a Simple Majority. Retains Two-Thirds Vote Requirement for Taxes
*
* Proposition 26: VOTE YES
* Increases Legislative Vote Requirement to Two-Thirds for State Levies and Charges. Imposes Additional Requirement for Voters to Approve Local Levies and Charges with Limited Exceptions
*
* Proposition 27: No position taken
* Eliminates State Commission on Redistricting. Consolidates Authority for Redistricting with Elected Representatives

 

[Brian4Liberty]

I will be voting YES on Prop 25.

Prop 25 provides that all members of the Legislature will permanently forfeit any reimbursement for salary and expenses for every day until the day the Legislature passes a budget bill. It also preserves the constitutional requirement that 2/3rds of the Legislature must approve new or higher taxes.

Couple that with the passing of Prop 26 that redefines "fees" as taxes and you got a responsible budget that won't be held captive to last minute Republicrat concessions.

Right now Sacramento politicians could care less if a budget is late, they still get paid after it passes! They are beholden to their pockets, not a date on the calendar.

I would be curious to find out how different last year's budget would have been if Prop 25 were passed... I have a hard time believing Republicans that held out ended up saving CA more money than if the budget was passed on time by a majority and signed off by the Governor. Last year's late budget cost taxpayers $8 million in interest payments on IOUs alone, being late is becoming a liability for the state.

The Democrats always have a simple majority in California. This Proposition guarantees that the Democrats will be able to set the budget themselves, and will never have to work with anyone else.

I'll vote No on this one. I'd like to increase it to 90%, not reduce it to 50%.

If it was only about them not getting paid, I would support a Prop that only did that.

 

[Brian4Liberty]

This is how it's shaping up for me. Prop 24 is tricky. It repeals some laws that reek of corporatism. Probably going YES on 24:

* Proposition 19: VOTE YES
* Changes California Law to Legalize Marijuana and Allow It to Be Regulated and Taxed

* Proposition 20: VOTE YES
* Redistricting of Congressional Districts

* Proposition 21: VOTE NO
* Establishes $18 Annual Vehicle License Surcharge to Help Fund State Parks and Wildlife Programs and Grants Free Admission to All State Parks to Surcharged Vehicles

* Proposition 22: VOTE YES
* Prohibits the State from Taking Funds Used for Transportation or Local Government Projects and Services

* Proposition 23: VOTE YES
* Suspends Air Pollution Control Laws Requiring Major Polluters to Report and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions That Cause Global Warming Until Unemployment Drops Below Specified Level for Full Year

* Proposition 24: VOTE YES(?)
* Repeals Recent Legislation That Would Allow Businesses to Carry Back Losses, Share Tax Credits, and Use a Sales-Based Income Calculation to Lower Taxable Income

* Proposition 25: VOTE NO
* Changes Legislative Vote Requirement to Pass a Budget from Two-Thirds to a Simple Majority. Retains Two-Thirds Vote Requirement for Taxes

* Proposition 26: VOTE YES
* Increases Legislative Vote Requirement to Two-Thirds for State Levies and Charges. Imposes Additional Requirement for Voters to Approve Local Levies and Charges with Limited Exceptions

* Proposition 27: VOTE NO
* Eliminates State Commission on Redistricting. Consolidates Authority for Redistricting with Elected Representatives

 

[Free Moral Agent]

This is how it's shaping up for me. Prop 24 is tricky. It repeals some laws that reek of corporatism. Probably going YES on 24:

* Proposition 24: VOTE YES(?)
* Repeals Recent Legislation That Would Allow Businesses to Carry Back Losses, Share Tax Credits, and Use a Sales-Based Income Calculation to Lower Taxable Income

Call me a populist, but I will be voting YES on Prop 24 as well. It was one of the toughest props to decide on, but I believe these tax breaks favor corporations more than any other business ownership model (sole proprietor or partnerships).

As a sole proprietor, wouldn't it be nice to spread around tax credits to your family and friends? Oh wait, you have to be a corporation in order to do that. Instead of family and friends, they call it a "business or unitary group"

Also what kind of small business (or any sole proprietorship or partnership) is able to operate at a loss for years? Corporations that run on credit can, and if Prop 24 doesn't pass they can use taxes already paid in the prior two years to recoup losses for the current year. They can also use losses in one year to offset future taxes paid for the following 20 years!

 

[Brian4Liberty]

Call me a populist, but I will be voting YES on Prop 24 as well. It was one of the toughest props to decide on, but I believe these tax breaks favor corporations more than any other business ownership model (sole proprietor or partnerships).

As a sole proprietor, wouldn't it be nice to spread around tax credits to your family and friends? Oh wait, you have to be a corporation in order to do that. Instead of family and friends, they call it a "business or unitary group"

Also what kind of small business (or any sole proprietorship or partnership) is able to operate at a loss for years? Corporations that run on credit can, and if Prop 24 doesn't pass they can use taxes already paid in the prior two years to recoup losses for the current year. They can also use losses in one year to offset future taxes paid for the following 20 years!

Yeah, the fact that the Libertarian Party couldn't give a recommendation means it's a mixed bag. Big corporations in my area are telling their employees to vote NO on 24. They are all looking forward to moving losses retroactively to previous years and getting huge rebate checks from the government. Corporatism and cronyism at it's finest. You might find it unfair that this favorable tax treatment doesn't apply to individuals too. Then again, the truly wealthy individuals put all of their wealth into "corporations" as shelters; corporations that don't create any jobs at all. You can almost always assume that anything that makes the tax code more complex does not benefit individuals.

 

[Brian4Liberty]

Unfortunately, it looks like the simple majority for Budgets (Proposition 25) will pass. This will result in complete Democrat control in California.

 

[Brian4Liberty]

Unfortunately, it looks like the simple majority for Budgets (Proposition 25) will pass. This will result in complete Democrat control in California.

To add to this, it really seems like there is something wrong with a system that says a simple majority (Proposition) can change the rules to reduce a Budget vote down from two-thirds to simple majority. We are fully implementing a tyranny of Democracy, where 50.001% of the population can force the other 49.999% to do whatever they want.

 

[Free Moral Agent]

If it was only about them not getting paid, I would support a Prop that only did that.

Point, I've switched my vote on this Prop to NO.

 

[tremendoustie]

I'll vote No on this one. I'd like to increase it to 90%, not reduce it to 50%.

Amen to that!!

 

[tremendoustie]

Point, I've switched my vote on this Prop to NO.

Yay!