Proposition 32

Summary:
Prohibits unions from using payroll-deducted funds for political purposes. Applies same use prohibition to payroll deductions, if any, by corporations or government contractors. Prohibits union and corporate contributions to candidates and their committees. Prohibits government contractor contributions to elected officers or their committees.

Pros:
Prop. 32 CUTS THE MONEY TIE BETWEEN SPECIAL INTERESTS AND POLITICIANS to the full extent constitutionally allowed. Bans contributions from corporations AND unions to politicians. Prohibits contributions from government contractors. Stops payroll withholding for politics, making ALL contributions voluntary. NO LOOPHOLES, NO EXEMPTIONS. Vote YES to clean up Sacramento.

Cons:
Prop. 32 isn’t reform—it exempts business Super PACs and thousands of big businesses from its provisions, at the same time applying restrictions on working people and their unions. It’s unfair, unbalanced, and won’t take money out of politics. The League of Women Voters urges a No vote!

Money:
$9.0 million raised in total for it (AMERICAN FUTURE FUND, CHARLES T. MUNGER, JR., THOMAS M. SIEBEL)
$45.6 million raised in total against it (California Teachers Association, Service Employees International Union, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE COUNTY & MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES)

Opinion:
It silences the voice of small unions, corporations and corruptively enable power to high, governmentally connected businesses.

Prop 36

Summary:
Proposition 36 mandates probation and drug treatment for people convicted of nonviolent drug possession offenses. Offenses that qualify as nonviolent drug possession include: personal use, possession for personal use and transportation for personal use. The drugs involved may be: heroin, LSD, cocaine base or crack cocaine, marijuana, opium, cocaine powder, methamphetamine or meth, PCP, methadone, and Khat.

Pros:
Restores the original intent of the Three Strikes law by focusing on violent criminals. Repeat offenders of serious or violent crimes get life in prison. Nonviolent offenders get twice the ordinary prison sentence. Saves over $100,000,000 annually and ensures rapists, murderers, and other dangerous criminals stay in prison for life.

Cons:
Proposition 36 will release dangerous criminals from prison who were sentenced to life terms because of their long criminal history. The initiative is so flawed some of these felons will be released without any supervision! Join California’s Sheriffs, Police, Prosecutors, and crime victims groups in voting No on Proposition 36.

Money:
For: 2.3mil (GEORGE SOROS, DAVID MILLS, N.A.A.C.P. LEGAL DEFENSE & EDUCATIONAL FUND, INC., PETER ACKERMAN, JAMES S. REGAN)
Against: 100,000 (PEACE OFFICERS RESEARCH ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA)

Opinion:
I believe some kind of a change to the three strikes law is essential. The law is good in theory, but is so outdated and flawed that it can lead to murders and rapists being sentenced less time in prison then repeat offenders convicted of even non-violent crimes. It is one of the leading causes behind prison overcrowding which is hurting our already overwhelming debt even more. It is not necessary to make people spend millions of dollars on prisoners convicted of such minor crimes. For these reasons I believe a more rehabilitative system for drug users would be more beneficial and prop 36 is a good start towards fixing this issue.

Prop 38

Summary: This proposition increases taxes on earnings by using a sliding scale for 12 years. The revenue goes to k-12 schools and early childhood programs for 4 years to repaying state debt. Increases personal income tax for annual earnings over $7, 316 using a sliding scale.

Pros: Makes school a priority, ensures new funding per person to every local public school to restore budget cuts and improve education. It prohibits Sacramento politicians from touching the money. Decisions on spending are made locally allowing the community to get involved.