News (Media Awareness Project) - US CA: Some of California's November Ballot Initiatives Tug at Personal Convicti |
| Title: | US CA: Some of California's November Ballot Initiatives Tug at Personal Convicti |
| Published On: | 2008-06-29 |
| Source: | Los Angeles Times (CA) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-06-30 19:00:12 |
SOME OF CALIFORNIA'S NOVEMBER BALLOT INITIATIVES TUG AT PERSONAL CONVICTIONS
Of the 11 Issues on the Docket, Voters Will Have to Decide on
Measures Involving Same-Sex Marriage, Abortion and Animal Treatment.
SACRAMENTO -- Emotions may run high for California voters in
November, not just over the choice of the next president but also
over many of the 11 initiatives on the same ballot that tap into
their personal beliefs.
Voters will decide whether to ban same-sex marriage, require parents
to be notified before an abortion is performed on a minor, free farm
animals from tight enclosures and put criminals in jail longer.
Other measures involve less charged issues, such as stripping
legislators of the power to draw their districts and promoting clean energy.
"You have political reform, cultural issues; there will be something
to interest everybody," said Allan Hoffenblum, a Republican
strategist who publishes Target Book, a nonpartisan handicapper of
political races in California. "If you are not interested in
redistricting, then maybe you are interested in gay marriage."
The deadline has passed for initiatives to qualify for the ballot by
petition, but the Legislature could still choose to add propositions
to the list.
Although voters may face some hard work wading through piles of
election guides and campaign mailers, they can take some comfort in
that they were not voting in November 1913, when there were 48 ballot
measures, a record that stands today.
A heated debate is brewing over the measure that would amend the
California Constitution to say that only marriage between a man and a
woman is valid or recognized in the state. The issue will be decided
less than five months after same-sex couples throughout California
began exchanging wedding vows in the wake of a court decision
upholding their right to do so.
Eight years ago, about 61% of California voters approved a ballot
measure that said the state would recognize only marriages between a
man and a woman. That measure, which did not change the Constitution,
was invalidated by the recent court ruling.
"It's important to . . . overturn the court decision and to reaffirm
the voters' will as expressed by the approval of Proposition 22,"
said Jeff Flint, a spokesman for the measure's supporters.
Opponents of the latest initiative, including state Sen. Sheila Kuehl
(D-Santa Monica), said the courts have established that marriage is a
right of same-sex couples and that public opinion has changed.
Predicting that the measure will fail, Kuehl said: "I have a very
positive feeling about how the people of California will treat this
initiative."
Another contentious issue is a proposed amendment to the state
Constitution that would prohibit abortions for minors until 48 hours
after a physician notifies a minor's parent, legal guardian or, if
parental abuse is reported, another adult family member.
The measure would also allowmonetary damages to be imposed against
physicians who violate the notification rule.
"This is to protect girls for medical reasons. This is a serious
medical procedure," said Grace Dulaney, a spokeswoman for Friends of
Sarah, a group of the initiative's supporters named after a
15-year-old Texas girl who died from an infection after an abortion.
Opponents predicted that voters would be consistent and reject the
proposal as they did similar ones in 2005 and 2006.
"We all support the safety and health of California's young women,"
said Amy Everitt, state director of NARAL Pro-Choice California. "But
this ballot measure will do nothing but threaten our state's most
vulnerable teens. . . . Some teens, for whatever reason, can't talk
to their parents."
Livestock treatment is the subject of another measure, which would
require that an enclosure or tether confining certain farm animals
allow them to fully extend their limbs or wings, lie down, stand up
and turn around for most of every day.
That initiative is aimed at protecting calves raised for veal,
egg-laying hens and pregnant pigs, which proponents said are often
inhumanely confined by the food industry.
Californians for Sound Farm Animal Agriculture, a group of
egg-producing and farming interests, has formed to defeat the measure.
Three of the November propositions will address crime and criminals.
One would require the state to increase funding and oversight for
individualized treatment and rehabilitation programs for nonviolent
drug offenders and parolees. It also would reduce sentences for
nonviolent drug offenses by mandating probation with treatment and by
providing for case dismissal and/or sealing of records after probation.
State Sen. George Runner (R-Lancaster) is a leading proponent of a
separate initiative called "The Safe Neighborhoods Act: Protect Crime
Victims, Stop Gangs and Thugs." It would require the state to
increase spending on programs to combat crime and street gangs.
It also would raise penalties for some crimes, including violations
of gang injunctions; use of methamphetamines or possession of them to
sell; and the carrying of loaded or concealed firearms by certain
felons. And the measure would eliminate bail for illegal immigrants
charged with violent or gang-related felonies.
A third proposition, referred to as the "Crime Victims' Bill of
Rights Act of 2008: Marsy's Law," would require that crime victims be
notified and allowed to have input when defendants and convicts are
up for bail, pleas, sentencing or parole. It also would reduce the
number of parole hearings to which prisoners are entitled.
Marsy's Law is named after the murdered sister of billionaire Henry
T. Nicholas III, a founder of Broadcom Corp., who has donated about
$5.8 million to campaigns for that initiative and the Runner proposal.
Nicholas, who pleaded not guilty this month to securities fraud and
drug charges,has since resigned as a co-sponsor of the Marsy's Law campaign.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will not appear on the November ballot,
but his presence will be felt. He's the leading supporter of a
proposal to create a 14-member commission that would draw new
district lines for the state Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization.
The measure would take the job away from the state Legislature, which
has set up districts that tend to protect incumbents. Instead, the
state auditor would randomly select people from a voter applicant
pool for the panel of five Democrats, five Republicans and four
others unaffiliated with either party.
The measure would not change the way congressional districts are
drawn. The Legislature would retain that task.
If the measure passes, "the old gerrymandering that protects
incumbents and divides minority communities will be a thing of the
past," said Kathay Feng, the head of California Common Cause, a
sponsor of the initiative.
Democrats dominate the Legislature, and state Democratic Party
officials voted to oppose the measure.
There are also two measures on clean energy.
One would require all utilities, including those owned by the
government, such as the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, to
generate 20% of their power from renewable energy by 2010. The
requirement would be raised to 40% by 2020 and 50% by 2025.
The other would authorize $5 billion in bonds to provide grants from
$2,000 to $50,000 to buyers of alternative-fuel vehicles. It would
also provide money for research, development and production of
renewable energy technology and incentives for research
onalternative-fuel vehicles.
Voters will also decide whether the state may borrow $980 million for
the expansion, remodeling and equipping of 13 children's hospitals in
the state, including five in the UC system.
And they'll vote on a $9.95-billion bond measure to cover most of the
state's share of a $33-billion high-speed rail system connecting
Anaheim, Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area.
[sidebar]
2008 PROPOSITIONS
2008 propositions Voters will decide on at least 11 propositions in
November. They are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot:
1: High-speed rail
Borrow $9.95 billion to link Los Angeles and San Francisco.
2: Farm animals
Set minimum pen space for calves, hens, pregnant pigs.
3: Children's hospitals
Borrow $980 million for construction and renovation.
4: Abortion
Notify parents before abortions for minors.
5: Drug offenses
Reduce penalties and expand treatment.
6: Crime
Increase drug-, gang- and firearm-related penalties.
7: Energy
Require utilities to increase renewable energy.
8: Marriage
Ban same-sex marriage.
9: Victims' rights
Increase victim input in justice process.
10: Alternative fuels
Borrow $5 billion to promote cleaner fuels.
11: Redistricting
Independent panel to draw legislative districts.
Source: California Secretary of State
Of the 11 Issues on the Docket, Voters Will Have to Decide on
Measures Involving Same-Sex Marriage, Abortion and Animal Treatment.
SACRAMENTO -- Emotions may run high for California voters in
November, not just over the choice of the next president but also
over many of the 11 initiatives on the same ballot that tap into
their personal beliefs.
Voters will decide whether to ban same-sex marriage, require parents
to be notified before an abortion is performed on a minor, free farm
animals from tight enclosures and put criminals in jail longer.
Other measures involve less charged issues, such as stripping
legislators of the power to draw their districts and promoting clean energy.
"You have political reform, cultural issues; there will be something
to interest everybody," said Allan Hoffenblum, a Republican
strategist who publishes Target Book, a nonpartisan handicapper of
political races in California. "If you are not interested in
redistricting, then maybe you are interested in gay marriage."
The deadline has passed for initiatives to qualify for the ballot by
petition, but the Legislature could still choose to add propositions
to the list.
Although voters may face some hard work wading through piles of
election guides and campaign mailers, they can take some comfort in
that they were not voting in November 1913, when there were 48 ballot
measures, a record that stands today.
A heated debate is brewing over the measure that would amend the
California Constitution to say that only marriage between a man and a
woman is valid or recognized in the state. The issue will be decided
less than five months after same-sex couples throughout California
began exchanging wedding vows in the wake of a court decision
upholding their right to do so.
Eight years ago, about 61% of California voters approved a ballot
measure that said the state would recognize only marriages between a
man and a woman. That measure, which did not change the Constitution,
was invalidated by the recent court ruling.
"It's important to . . . overturn the court decision and to reaffirm
the voters' will as expressed by the approval of Proposition 22,"
said Jeff Flint, a spokesman for the measure's supporters.
Opponents of the latest initiative, including state Sen. Sheila Kuehl
(D-Santa Monica), said the courts have established that marriage is a
right of same-sex couples and that public opinion has changed.
Predicting that the measure will fail, Kuehl said: "I have a very
positive feeling about how the people of California will treat this
initiative."
Another contentious issue is a proposed amendment to the state
Constitution that would prohibit abortions for minors until 48 hours
after a physician notifies a minor's parent, legal guardian or, if
parental abuse is reported, another adult family member.
The measure would also allowmonetary damages to be imposed against
physicians who violate the notification rule.
"This is to protect girls for medical reasons. This is a serious
medical procedure," said Grace Dulaney, a spokeswoman for Friends of
Sarah, a group of the initiative's supporters named after a
15-year-old Texas girl who died from an infection after an abortion.
Opponents predicted that voters would be consistent and reject the
proposal as they did similar ones in 2005 and 2006.
"We all support the safety and health of California's young women,"
said Amy Everitt, state director of NARAL Pro-Choice California. "But
this ballot measure will do nothing but threaten our state's most
vulnerable teens. . . . Some teens, for whatever reason, can't talk
to their parents."
Livestock treatment is the subject of another measure, which would
require that an enclosure or tether confining certain farm animals
allow them to fully extend their limbs or wings, lie down, stand up
and turn around for most of every day.
That initiative is aimed at protecting calves raised for veal,
egg-laying hens and pregnant pigs, which proponents said are often
inhumanely confined by the food industry.
Californians for Sound Farm Animal Agriculture, a group of
egg-producing and farming interests, has formed to defeat the measure.
Three of the November propositions will address crime and criminals.
One would require the state to increase funding and oversight for
individualized treatment and rehabilitation programs for nonviolent
drug offenders and parolees. It also would reduce sentences for
nonviolent drug offenses by mandating probation with treatment and by
providing for case dismissal and/or sealing of records after probation.
State Sen. George Runner (R-Lancaster) is a leading proponent of a
separate initiative called "The Safe Neighborhoods Act: Protect Crime
Victims, Stop Gangs and Thugs." It would require the state to
increase spending on programs to combat crime and street gangs.
It also would raise penalties for some crimes, including violations
of gang injunctions; use of methamphetamines or possession of them to
sell; and the carrying of loaded or concealed firearms by certain
felons. And the measure would eliminate bail for illegal immigrants
charged with violent or gang-related felonies.
A third proposition, referred to as the "Crime Victims' Bill of
Rights Act of 2008: Marsy's Law," would require that crime victims be
notified and allowed to have input when defendants and convicts are
up for bail, pleas, sentencing or parole. It also would reduce the
number of parole hearings to which prisoners are entitled.
Marsy's Law is named after the murdered sister of billionaire Henry
T. Nicholas III, a founder of Broadcom Corp., who has donated about
$5.8 million to campaigns for that initiative and the Runner proposal.
Nicholas, who pleaded not guilty this month to securities fraud and
drug charges,has since resigned as a co-sponsor of the Marsy's Law campaign.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will not appear on the November ballot,
but his presence will be felt. He's the leading supporter of a
proposal to create a 14-member commission that would draw new
district lines for the state Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization.
The measure would take the job away from the state Legislature, which
has set up districts that tend to protect incumbents. Instead, the
state auditor would randomly select people from a voter applicant
pool for the panel of five Democrats, five Republicans and four
others unaffiliated with either party.
The measure would not change the way congressional districts are
drawn. The Legislature would retain that task.
If the measure passes, "the old gerrymandering that protects
incumbents and divides minority communities will be a thing of the
past," said Kathay Feng, the head of California Common Cause, a
sponsor of the initiative.
Democrats dominate the Legislature, and state Democratic Party
officials voted to oppose the measure.
There are also two measures on clean energy.
One would require all utilities, including those owned by the
government, such as the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, to
generate 20% of their power from renewable energy by 2010. The
requirement would be raised to 40% by 2020 and 50% by 2025.
The other would authorize $5 billion in bonds to provide grants from
$2,000 to $50,000 to buyers of alternative-fuel vehicles. It would
also provide money for research, development and production of
renewable energy technology and incentives for research
onalternative-fuel vehicles.
Voters will also decide whether the state may borrow $980 million for
the expansion, remodeling and equipping of 13 children's hospitals in
the state, including five in the UC system.
And they'll vote on a $9.95-billion bond measure to cover most of the
state's share of a $33-billion high-speed rail system connecting
Anaheim, Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area.
[sidebar]
2008 PROPOSITIONS
2008 propositions Voters will decide on at least 11 propositions in
November. They are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot:
1: High-speed rail
Borrow $9.95 billion to link Los Angeles and San Francisco.
2: Farm animals
Set minimum pen space for calves, hens, pregnant pigs.
3: Children's hospitals
Borrow $980 million for construction and renovation.
4: Abortion
Notify parents before abortions for minors.
5: Drug offenses
Reduce penalties and expand treatment.
6: Crime
Increase drug-, gang- and firearm-related penalties.
7: Energy
Require utilities to increase renewable energy.
8: Marriage
Ban same-sex marriage.
9: Victims' rights
Increase victim input in justice process.
10: Alternative fuels
Borrow $5 billion to promote cleaner fuels.
11: Redistricting
Independent panel to draw legislative districts.
Source: California Secretary of State
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