[GPSCC-chat] November ballot propositions

[Jim Doyle]

GREEN PARTY COUNTY CONTACTS MESSAGE

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Fellow Greens,

County polling on Ballot Measures for November will be beginning no
later than July 26th.

Before polling starts, we need volunteers to research and create a short
report on what the Green Party position should be on each Measure. We
have the first 3 weeks of July in which to do this research. Then, we
have the month of August in which to conduct county polling.

The ideal would be for all of our counties to read the ballot reports
(via email), research on your own if so desired, and then send us your
county position on each so we don't spend Plenary time on the Measures.

Richard Gomez and Tian Harter had both kindly offered to coordinate our
polling efforts at the last Plenary. (Thank you guys!). Please email
reply to all of us on which Propositions you are interested in
researching (there are 10) and when we can expect your report. A short
description of each Measure follows.

Reply addresses:
nate136_66 at yahoo.com, tnharter at aceweb.com, earthworks_works at yahoo.com

Thank you for the help - we really need you!

Kendra Gonzales
CCWG Co-Coordinator
805-419-4623


*(Thanks to Shane for getting this to us)
*
Ten propositions have qualified for the Nov. 2, 2010, general election
ballot. One, a water bond, was placed on the ballot by the legislature.
The other nine were proposed by voter initiative. Six of the
propositions deal with tax and budget issues; two are about
redistricting. Although the deadline for qualifying new initiatives has
passed, the legislature could still add to the list (or revise or delete
the water bond). Proposition numbers have yet to be assigned.

The propositions are:

*WATER BOND* -- Authorizes $11.14 billion in bonds for state water
projects, including storage, conservation, groundwater protection, and
recycling.

*MARIJUANA* -- Allows people 21 or older to possess, cultivate, or
transport marijuana for personal use, subject to regulation and
taxation. Prohibits use in public or when minors are present. Prohibits
providing marijuana to anyone under 21.

*CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING* -- Transfers redistricting authority for
congressional districts from the state legislature to the Citizens
Redistricting Commission that was established by Proposition 11 (2008).

*LOCAL GOVERNMENT* -- Prohibits state from shifting, taking, borrowing,
or restricting use of revenues dedicated to local government services,
community redevelopment projects, and transportation projects and
services. Prohibits the state from delaying distribution of tax revenues
for these purposes.

*SURCHARGE FOR PARKS* -- Establishes $18 annual state vehicle license
surcharge to be used solely to operate, maintain, and repair the state
park system, and protect wildlife and natural resources. Grants free
admission to all state parks to vehicles paying the surcharge. Exempts
commercial vehicles, trailers, and trailer coaches.

*SUSPENSION OF GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION LAW* -- Suspends the state's
greenhouse gas reduction law until California's unemployment rate has
been 5.5 percent or less for four consecutive quarters. Suspends
requirements for increased renewable energy and cleaner fuel, as well as
mandatory emission reporting and fee requirements for major polluters
such as power plants and oil refineries.

*CORPORATE TAXES* -- Repeals recent legislation which lowered corporate
taxes by allowing businesses to shift operating losses to prior tax
years; expanding the time in which losses can be shifted; allowing
businesses to share tax credits with affiliated corporations; and
allowing multi-state companies to use a sales-based income calculation
rather than one based on property, payroll, and sales.

*2/3 VOTE FOR LEVIES AND CHARGES* -- Increases to two-thirds, from a
simple majority, the vote required for the legislature to adopt state
levies and charges, with limited exceptions. Requires two-thirds vote of
the public for local levies and charges, with limited exceptions.

*MAJORITY VOTE FOR STATE BUDGET* -- Lowers the legislative vote required
for adopting a state budget from two-thirds to a simple majority.

*REPEAL OF REDISTRICTING COMMISSION* -- Eliminates the Citizens
Redistricting Commission that was established by Proposition 11 (2008),
and returns the job of drawing state legislative and board of
equalization districts to the Legislature.