Been almost a month since I wrote anything. Not that anyone cares, but I thought I would list how I intend to vote on California's Ballot Propositions. I base almost my entire decision about all the propositions on the voter information guide. Californians will recognize the issues. Everyone else is free to ignore as always.


Prop 1A: Protect Local Government Revenues
Yes

A small revenue fluctuation can mean a lot to a local government, and yet they don't have the power to protect themselves whenever the state wants to swoop in and take money out of their coffers. I like the idea of telling local governments, "This is your money. When we need more for the state budget, we won't do it at your expense."


Prop 59: Public Records
Yes

Unanimously passed both the California Assembly and Senate. Doesn't cost anything. Good idea.


Prop 60: Primary Elections
No

I like the idea in proposition 62 better. Besides, the insane fear-mongering in the argument in favor of prop 60 makes me distrust its intentions.


Prop 60A: Surplus Property
Yes

Using funds to pay off debt before giving it to other budget items is good fiscal policy. As for the argument against, I don't think we should force the sale of surplus property. Those decisions should be made one at a time. It's just smart to earmark where the money will go as we sell off surplus property in the normal course of business.


Prop 61: Children's Hospitals
No

I don't think it is a responsible decision to add more debt to the state right now unless there is a dire, urgent need. Nowhere did the supporters of this bill make a case for the need for new construction at the hospitals.


Prop 62: Open Primary Elections
Yes

I like the idea for several reasons, but mostly because I think it will mean voters electing a candidate, and not just a party.


Prop 63: Mental Illness, 1% Tax Increase on incomes over $1 Million.
No

This bill seems poorly constructed to me. It throws money around without a plan. I don't like locking any government program and making it so we can't reduce it later, and tying it to a special tax that can fluctuate wildly is a mistake. I like the idea of funding this issue, but come up with a better plan so I can support it.


Prop 64: Unfair Competition Lawsuits
Yes

Hard for me to call this one. I like the environmental, labor, and consumer protections that have come from several lawsuits, but I hate that lawsuits have become the new form of legislation. In the end, my distrust of the court system won the decision.


Prop 65: Local Government Funds
No

There is no argument in favor of the bill, and the argument against says "Sorry. We proposed this bill, but then we came up with a better one. Vote for Prop 1A instead."


Prop 66: Amend Three Strikes Law
No

I don't like forcing the courts to re-sentence thousands of prisoners. Joe Klaas and Mark Klaas are on opposite sides of the issue?


Prop 67: Emergency Medical Service Funding
No

No financial controls. Even the legislative analyst says the health care providers falsely report their numbers.


Prop 68: Non-Tribal Gambling Expansion
No

Bad bill. Sneaky, deceptive, rotten bill.


Prop 69: Felon DNA Database
No

Would add a person's DNA to the database at the time of arrest, whether they are convicted or not. I would support the bill if it added you to the database only after conviction.


Prop 70: Tribal Gaming Rights
No

Expands the number and type of games allowed and forces the governor to sign 99 year contracts with the tribes. I like having gambling be a short trip across the Nevada border. I don't want it in my backyard.


Prop 71: Stem Cell Research
No

I fully expect this bill to pass, but I can't in good conscience support what I consider to be the cloning and the destruction of little human beings.


Prop 72: Health Care Coverage
No

I don't like what insurance companies have done to the health care system, but I trust the government even less.