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Proposition 19

Prop 19, the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010 would, according to Ballotpedia.org, “legalize various marijuana-related activities, allow local governments to regulate these activities, permit local governments to impose and collect marijuana-related fees and taxes, and authorize various criminal and civil penalties.” Medical marijuana is already legal in California, due to the enactment of Proposition 215 in 1996. A wide array of support for Prop 19 comes from celebrities like Danny Glover to the NAACP, coalitions of mothers, and former and current law enforcement officers. Prop 19 is opposed by the Obama Administration’s Justice Department, and the LA County Sheriff’s office. Find out more at www.yeson19.com.

GUEST: Kyle Kazan, retired police officer, member of Law Enforcement Officers Against Prohibition (LEAP)

Propositions 20 and 27

Propositions 20 and 27 on California’s November ballot each tackle redistricting, and they are in direct opposition to each other. Both are reactions to Proposition 11, the successful 2008 ballot initiative that created a Citizens’ Redistricting Committee, which shifted the power to redistrict away from state legislators to an independent 14-member commission. Both major parties are recommending No on Prop 20 and Yes on 27. But Common Cause, IndependentVoice.org, and the Green Party recommend the opposite: Yes on 20, and No on 27. Our guests are Derek Cressman, Western States Regional Director for Common Cause, and Jim Mangia, Chair of IndependentVoice.org.

Find out more at www.yes20no27.org.

Propositions 22 and 25

Proposition 25 seeks to make California the 48th state where only a simple majority vote of approval is needed to pass the annual budget. Currently, California’s budget must be approved by 2/3 of all legislators. Proposition 25 would NOT change the current requirement of a 2/3 approval to raise taxes. Most major progressive organizations from the Sierra Club to the Union of Concerned Scientists, to the California Labor Federation are urging a Yes vote on 25. Find out more at www.endbudgetgridlock.com

A second budget related initiative, Prop. 22, seeks to dramatically change the way the state of California can borrow funds. The No on Prop. 22 campaign says the proposition is advertised as a way to protect small city budgets from raids by the State, but in reality it is a money grab for redevelopment agencies. The California Federation of Teaches, the California Teachers Association, and the California Nurses Union are urging a No vote on 22. Find out more at www.votenoprop22.com

GUESTS: Marty Hittleman: President of the California Federation of Teachers (CTA), Jean Ross, Executive Director of the California Budget Project

Propositions 21, 24, and 26

Propositions 21, 24, and 26 all relate to taxes. Prop 24, called the Tax Fairness Act, targets three recently enacted corporate tax loopholes. In 2008 and 2009 the California legislature approved 1.3 billion dollars in tax cuts that benefit less than 2% of California’s businesses. One tax cut gave businesses more flexibility in how they calculated their tax rate. Another allowed more opportunities to claim a tax refund from previous years based on the losses of the current year. And the third allowed different companies operating under the same management to share tax credits. Prop. 24 would end these loopholes. Most major progressive organizations call for a Yes vote on 26. Find out more at www.paytheirfairshare.com.

Supporters of Prop 26 call it the “Stop Hidden Taxes” bill. But 26 is backed by the oil, alcohol, and tobacco industries and would change California’s constitution, redefining regulatory fees – like those imposed on major polluters – as taxes. If 26 passes a 2/3 vote of the legislature would be required to approve any new taxes that were once considered fees. Most major progressive organizations call for a No vote on 26. Find out more at www.noonproposition26.com.

Finally, Proposition 21, the third initiative on taxes, is called the Vehicle License Fee for Parks Act. It would increase annual vehicle licensing fees by $18 to fund state parks. The fees would raise about $500 million a year in a dedicated fund for the state’s 278 parks. Some progressive organizations like the Sierra Club support 21. But others say it is a regressive tax, forcing all Californians regardless of their incomes to foot the bill for park maintenance which should already be paid for by our state income taxes. Check out the websites for both sides of this measure at www.voteno21.com and www.yesforstateparks.com so you can make an informed decision.

GUEST: Lenny Goldberg, Executive Director of California Tax Reform Association

Proposition 23

Supporters of Prop.23 call it the “California Jobs Initiative”, and argue that California’s environmental standards inhibit job growth. The ballot initiative suspends the provisions put in place four years ago by California Assembly Bill 32 until the state unemployment rate dips and holds steady at 5.5% for a full year. The No on 23 campaign says this has only happened three times in the last 40 years and warns that this suspension would become a de facto repeal of environmental protections. Find out more at www.stopdirtyenergyprop.com.

GUEST: Steven Maviglio, Spokesperson with the NO on Prop. 23 Campaign