Upcoming election: November 3, 2020

 

Here are the PaliDems endorsements to date, with more to come as we get closer to November

 

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George Gascón for L.A. District Attorney

Read PPDC's statement of admonition against incumbent Jackie Lacey's office here

 

 

California Proposition 14, the Stem Cell Research Institute Bond Initiative

Sixteen years ago, California voters approved a $3 billion state bond issue for stem cell research. The money has all been spent and researchers drafted Proposition 14, a $5.5 billion bond for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

Authorizes $5.5 billion in state general obligation bonds to fund grants from the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine to educational, non-profit, and private entities for: stem cell and other medical research, including training; stem cell therapy development and delivery; research facility construction; and associated administrative expenses.

Dedicates $1.5 billion to research and therapy for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, epilepsy, and other brain and central nervous system diseases and conditions.

• Appropriates General Fund monies to pay bond debt service.

From Michael Hiltzik of the L.A. Times:

"The initiative’s ambitious financial ask could remind voters that, for all its achievements, the program’s initial $3-billion expenditure has so far failed to yield a single marketable clinical product. That’s despite the sales pitch for Proposition 71 in 2004—that all that stood in the way of “cures” for Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, spinal cord injuries and other maladies was money.
The initiative’s promoters also projected that taxpayers would reap a financial windfall from their spending — indeed, that the program would pay for itself by generating at least $14 billion from royalties and reduced health costs for California. That hasn’t happened, and the bar will be much higher for the proposed new borrowing. Assuming an interest rate of 5%, a 30-year, $5.5-billion bond would cost taxpayers $275 million in interest every year for three decades.

Robert Klein, the Initiative's sole funder, fails to set forth a clear justification for nearly doubling CIRM’s funding for the next 10 years. It places new restrictions on how the money can be spent, depriving CIRM’s governing board of the flexibility it needs to serve a science that is evolving at a dizzying pace."

Moreover, the proposal perpetuates the cardinal error of Proposition 71 of rendering the program virtually immune to legislative oversight, despite its immense demand on taxpayer resources. Like Proposition 71, the new measure bars the Legislature from making amendments without a 70% vote in both houses, almost certainly an unattainable goal."

Official Ballot Opposition: Marcy Darnovsky, Executive Director of the Center for Genetics and Society "California faces an enormous budget deficit and proposals to slash high-priority social programs that benefit all of us by investing in healthcare, housing, jobs, education, and other pressing needs."

Recommendation: Oppose — NO on Prop 14

 

Prop 15 – Tax on Commercial and Industrial Properties for Education and Local Government

Funding Initiative

If passed, Prop 15 would amend California tax code to require commercial and industrial properties to be taxed at their market value rather than their purchase price. This would change longstanding provisions of Prop 13 (1978) and create a “split-roll” between commercial and residential property.

Changes would take effect in FY 2022-2023. Some properties, such as retail centers with more than 50% occupancy of small business would have until FY 2025-2026 for changes to take effect. Exceptions would be made for small businesses and start-ups with $3m or less in holding in CA. These properties would continue to be assessed at their purchase price.

Prop 15 would also exempt small businesses tangible personal property from taxes and $500,000 of tangible personal property from non-small businesses.

It is estimated that, if passed, Prop 15 would generate $8b - $12b per year. This new revenue would primarily be dedicated to education funding.

Recommendation: Endorse — YES on Prop 15

 

Prop 16: Repeal Proposition 209 Affirmative Action Amendment

If passed this proposition would repeal Prop 209 (1996) which banned the use of affirmative action involving race- or gender-based preferences in CA. This proposition would not require, but allow, state government, local governments, public universities, and other political subdivisions and public entities, to develop and use affirmative action programs that grant preferences based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, and national origin in employment, education, and contracts within the limits of federal law.

There is no financial impact associated with passage of Prop 16.

Recommendation: Endorse — YES on Prop 16

 

Proposition 17 is a constitutional amendment that would allow people on parole for felony convictions to vote in California

Currently, the California Constitution disqualifies people with felonies from voting until their imprisonment and parole are completed. The ballot measure would amend the state constitution to allow people with felonies who are on parole to vote; therefore, the ballot measure would keep imprisonment as a disqualification for voting but remove parole status. It is estimated that 50,000 parolees would have their voting rights reinstated if this measure passes.

Taina Vargas-Edmond, executive director of Initiate Justice, stated, "The removal of the right to vote is not based in an interest in public safety. Rather, it is rooted in a punitive justice belief system that intentionally attempts to rob marginalized people of their political power."

The Brennan Center for Justice provided an argument to the state legislature, which said, "California is one of only a handful of states that denies the right to vote to people on parole but allows people on probation to vote. Few people, including election administrators, understand the difference between probation and parole. And as Californians know, those distinctions are becoming increasingly opaque and confusing as new forms of supervision get created. The result is that eligible voters think that they cannot or refrain from voting out of fear that they may be breaking the law, a phenomenon we call "de facto disenfranchisement."

Recommendation: Support — YES on Prop 17

 

 

More local endorsements to come. PPDC is also supporting Democrats around the country to take back the Senate. See below for the list we're working off — tip of the hat to our friend Jon Katz, president of the Santa Monica Democratic Club and co-leader of the Westside Democratic HQ!

 

PPDC has donated directly to the first several campaigns below, and will add more candidates as funds come in. We encourage you to donate too! Here are links to the "must-win" campaigns:

 

ARIZONA ... Mark Kelly

COLORADO ... John Hickenlooper

MAINE ... Sara Gideon

N. CAROLINA ... Cal Cunningham

 

PPDC voted to give $500 apiece to Senate candidates

John Hickenlooper

Sara Gideon

Teresa Greenfield

Steve Bullock

Cal Cunningham

and L.A. DA candidate

George Gascón

 

If we had a Medal of Honor handy, we'd give it to each and every person reading this who was brave enough to vote in person on March 3.

We heard from many of you that your experience at the polls on Election Day was as difficult as ours here in the Palisades.

Every time we fielded a complaint — and thank you to all who reported to us — we forwarded it to our contact at the L.A. County Registrar of Voters office.

This story from the L.A. Times at least offers the hope of immediate investigations and future fixes.

Elected officials are demanding action, including State Senator Ben Allen, who will introduce legislation this month to address the snafus encountered across Los Angeles. We've got only eight months to get everything cleaned up.

Until then, watch this space for the many ways you can work with us to make a difference in November's election ... and ensure Democratic victories ... without having to stand in long lines!

PREVIOUS ELECTION INFO (for historical interest)

March 3, 2020 Primary Election

Scroll (way) down for our endorsements

 

This is it — today's the big day. Time to vote!

We've gotten reports of longer-than-usual lines at the polls

Please leave yourself extra time, unless you're just dropping off your Vote-by-Mail ballot

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First election to use the new Vote Center system!

L.A. County has switched (they optimistically say "upgraded") from polling places to Vote Centers. Voters now have the option to cast a ballot in person at any Vote Center in the county, rather than only in what used to be their assigned polling place ...

Around 250 Vote Centers are open

Sat., Feb. 22 to Mon., March 2 ... 8 AM – 5 PM

That expands to around 1000 open

Sat., Feb. 29 to Mon., March 2 ... 8 AM – 5 PM

On Election Day, Tue., March 3, all are open 7 AM – 8 PM

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Nearest Vote Center for the Palisades:
Palisades Rec Center Small Gym, 851 Alma Real
open Sat., Feb. 29 to Tue., Mar. 3 (see above for hours)

Santa Monica has several Vote Centers, including at
Santa Monica Place
and the SM Public Library on SM Blvd. and 6th

Brentwood has centers at the Luxe Hotel
and Village Lutheran Church

Click anywhere above or here for addresses and the full list

There was a glitch on opening day in the Palisades —
big thanks to the club members who reported it!
We followed up and have been told things are back on track.
Call or email us to report problems: 310-230-2084, or
info@palisadesdemclub.org

 

•

 

You can find all the other Vote Centers here: https://locator.lavote.net/locations/vc

Check your registration and get general info about the vote here:

https://lavote.net/

Why check your registration? Voters registered No Party Preference will receive a ballot without the U.S. Presidential candidates unless they take the following step:

To vote for candidates in the Democratic Party, check the box in the Vote by Mail online application and select the Democratic Party ballot

 

 

 Vote by Mail ballots can only be requested at https://lavote.net/ or 800-815-2666 until Tue., 2/25/20

Didn't mail your Vote-by-Mail ballot?

You can drop it off at any Vote Center through Election Day
You can also still mail it, but that's riskier.
If postmarked no later than March 3 and received within three days, it will be counted

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Want to track your ballot to see if it's been counted?
https://losangeles.ballottrax.net/voter/

 

Voter Registration does NOT end on Feb. 18. Same-day registration is available at the Vote Centers Feb. 22 through Election Day. Voters must bring ID and proof of address (e.g., utility bill). These same-day-registration votes will be counted only after registration is verified

 

 

 

Here are the PaliDems endorsements for March 3

For a printable doc (without additional details) to take to the polls,

>>click here<<

For  additional details, see below

 

PPDC Endorsements
March 3, 2020 Primary Election

 

​US Congress, 33rd District​
TED W. LIEU (incumbent)

**Note about Ted Lieu's placement on the electronic ballot: In half of Rep. Lieu's district, his name won’t be on the first “page” of the ballot. Voters will have the option of hitting either “NEXT” or “MORE” on the touchscreen, with no indication of which brings up the next “page” of names (that would be "MORE") or the next section of the ballot ("NEXT")**

This may happen in other places on the ballot as well, as with County Central Committee votes, so be aware!

State Assembly, 50th District
RICHARD BLOOM (incumbent)

L.A. County District Attorney
GEORGE GASCÓN

(read our admonition of the current DA here)

•

L.A. County Judge of the Superior Court
Office No. 42 … Linda L. Sun
Office No. 72 … Steve Morgan
Office No. 76 … Emily Cole

Office No. 80 … David A. Berger
Office No. 97 … Sherry L. Powell
Office No. 129 … Kenneth M. Fuller

Office No. 145 … Adan Montalban
Office No. 150 … Tom Parsekian
Office No. 162 … Scott Andrew Yang

•

Member, County Central Committee, 50th AD
(see note below)

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CA State Measure 13 (school bonds) — SUPPORT

L.A. County Measure R (sheriff civilian oversight) — SUPPORT

L.A. County Fire District Measure FD (parcel tax) — SUPPORT

(Though endorsed by PPDC, Measure FD doesn't appear on all neighborhoods' ballots. Don't worry if you don't see it on yours)

 

See below for arguments in favor of the measures

 

•

A note on County Central Committee endorsements:

Because the PaliDems board vote requires support of 60% of voting members present in order to endorse, it's difficult for the non-politicians running for County Central Committee to secure an official endorsement, even when they have a fair amount of support from board members. Only Paul Koretz, a sitting L.A. City Councilmember, crossed the 60% threshold. But that doesn't mean PPDC advises against voting for the others -- we leave it up to you to research and choose!

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More on the measures:

PROPOSITION 13 would provide $9 billion for desperately needed renovations to public preschools and grade schools throughout the state, and $6 billion for construction to community colleges, the Cal State system, and the UC system. This will allow the state of California to use tax revenue to pay for improvements that local communities cannot afford themselves.

The funding would come from bonds the state would pay back over 35 years, totaling an estimated $26 billion, which includes $15 billion in principal and $11 billion in interest. This investment is well worth the costs. It takes money, after all, to ensure that students — especially those in districts that can’t afford major capital improvement projects — do not have to learn in dangerous environments.

The vast majority of Democrats in the state legislature support it, as does Gov. Newsom, and the only major opposition is a group called the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. This is the group famous for destroying California’s school funding system in 1978 through another proposition, ironically one that was also dubbed Prop 13. The group spends most of its time lobbying to reduce tax rates. It has never shown any interest in supporting California’s children, at least if that means wealthy individuals or giant corporations would pay their fair share in taxes. Without question, 2020’s Prop 13 is worth the investment since it means children will soon be able to attend school in buildings that are retrofitted to withstand earthquakes and no longer have lead in their water.

 

LA COUNTY MEASURE R creates a study on how to reduce jail population and provide alternatives to incarceration. Adds powers to the Sheriff’s Civilian Oversight Commission. Placed on the ballot by signatures gathered (not by the CountyBoard of Supervisors).

Our county jails are filled with people who are awaiting trial, or have been convicted of minor crimes. We need to find alternative ways to handle our crime rates. Restorative justice methods can be adopted here as they have been in other places. In addition to jail reform, this measure would reinforce the powers of the Sheriff Oversight Commission, which provides a voice for the community to assess the Sheriff’s Department.

 

LA COUNTY MEASURE FD is a parcel tax. It requires a 2/3-majority vote.

Imposes a parcel tax to be levied on all unincorporated areas and the 58 cities that utilize the L.A. County Fire Department. Although it does not apply to Pacific Palisades, we have experienced the impact of fire-related incidents along with Malibu, Topanga, and other unincorporated communities. FD was placed on ballot by the Board of Supervisors.

County firefighters and paramedics/ambulance services are overstretched and need resources to serve the large areas that depend on the county for these services. The increase in the incidence of fires and the growing, aging population of the county require more resources to ensure that first responders are available for both fires and health emergencies. This tax will go directly to the County Fire Department; it cannot be mingled with general funds.

 

[END OF MARCH 3, 2020 PRIMARY ELECTION INFO]

 

MORE HISTORICAL ELECTION INFO

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

In L.A. we'll have just one item to vote on. PPDC has endorsed it, and it requires a 2/3 majority, so we hope everyone will vote, even though nothing else is on the ballot!

Homeowners over age 65 can be exempted from this tax
[Click here to fill out the exemption form -- DUE JULY 1, 2019]

Here's the text:

LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT(1)

MEASURE EE – QUALITY TEACHER, CLASS SIZE REDUCTION, AND LOCAL SCHOOL SAFETY MEASURE

To retain/attract quality teachers; reduce class sizes; providecounseling/nursing/library services, arts, music, science, math, preschool, vocational/career education, safe/well-maintained schools, adequate instructional materials/supplies; support disadvantaged/homeless students; shall Los Angeles Unified School District levy $0.16 per square foot of building improvements annually, exempting seniors/certain disability recipients, providing approximately $500,000,000 annually for 12 years, requiring annual audits, oversight, and funding local schools?

Measure EE – SUPPORT

Click here to read the L.A. Times endorsement

 

Here's our analysis:

Election info here: https://lavote.net/home/voting-elections/current-elections/upcoming-elections

 

2019 ISSUES ENDORSED BY PPDC

PaliDems supports

Clean Money -- get big $$ out of politics!

Click image or here for more info from CA Clean Money, and to learn how you can help!

 

 

Excited about the prospects of a Green New Deal?

The PaliDems are, and we've sent letters

(click here to read one)

to Sens. Feinstein and Harris, along with Rep. Ted Lieu, to urge them to champion it. Read our letter here, and if you're inspired, call the Congressional switchboard at 202-224-3121 to tell their offices how you feel!

More background here on why Republicans are attacking the very idea of a GND.

 

 

DIABLO CANYON -- TEST IT NOW

We have only days for the state to conduct independent safety testing of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Unit I, located about 170 miles outside of L.A., while it is shut down for refueling. Please, sign the petition to the Governor.

A Fukushima-like meltdown would cause a mass migration out of California, and because coastal winds always blow inland, Diablo's radioactive clouds would irradiate and poison the fruits and vegetables that flourish in our fantastic Central Growing Valley. Diablo's radioactive clouds would also contaminate the drinking water that flows from the Sierra Mountains, through the Central Valley and into cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles.

If there is a meltdown at Diablo, much of California and its economy would be destroyed.

Click here to read the letter PPDC is sending and you can send to elected officials.

Click here to sign the petition

RESTART L.A. GAS PLANTS? NO WAY

California is aiming for 100% clean energy. But Los Angeles might invest billions in fossil fuels -- Los Angeles Times

From Mike Bonin: "I am 100% with environmental activists on this. It’s certainly not an issue without complexity, but I simply cannot support reinvesting more money in fossil fuels. We’re killing our planet. I’d encourage you to endorse the letter" (that PPDC has indeed endorsed). Learn more about the issue here:

https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-100-clean-energy-gas-plants-20181220-story.html

 

 

WE NEED A BETTER WAY TO FIGHT FIRES

The Palisades Dem Club is supporting the idea, proposed by our friends at the Malibu Dem Club, of a California Fire Reserve Corps. Read about it here.

 

 

PPDC has also endorsed Physicians for a National Healthcare Plan's call to action regarding a new Medicare-for-All bill Rep. Pramila Jayapal plans to introduce in the House. Read about it here and let's all follow their advice and make some calls!

 

 

Tuesday, November 6, 2018 RESULTS

State election results are here:

https://vote.sos.ca.gov/

L.A. County results here:

https://lavote.net/home/voting-elections/current-elections/election-results

•

Spoiler alert -- thanks to you and people like us across the country, Democrats did phenomenally well. Some pundits initially fretted that there wasn't a big Blue Wave, but there was.

From Salon (full article here)

The 2018 midterms were a blue wave — despite what Fox News hosts blared on Wednesday morning, mimicking the line White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders offered late on election day.

But that wave doesn’t mean the anti-democratic features of America’s electoral process didn’t kick in, to say nothing of a catalog of intentional partisan obstructions to voting in a handful of states—led by Georgia, where it may take days for all the paper mail-in and provisional ballots to be validated and counted. When those totals are added in, there may be a run-off gubernatorial election in early December.

The first affirmation of the wave was the volume of voters. As millions of votes are still being counted (in states like California), the votes cast so far total approximately 100 million, with experts estimating that figure will reach 111 million — a 47.3 percent national turnout. That is the first 100-million voter midterm, and the highest turnout since 1970, according to the University of Florida’s Michael McDonald.

•

Your polling place was open from 7 AM to 8 PM

General information: https://votersedge.org

http://www.lavote.net/home/voting-elections/current-elections/find-my-election-information

https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/

 

Fantastic new app called Vote with Me for getting your friends/contacts to vote:

Truly worth checking out! From their site:

We know, asking your friends to do things is awkward. That’s why it is so much more powerful than talking to strangers.

We’ve done the science and found that messages from friends are about twenty times more effective at encouraging voter turnout than other common methods.

You may have seen similar apps before, but you haven’t seen this one. We don’t force you to register with us or with any other group. We don’t put you on an email list, because we don’t have one. The app contains no ads, and we never ask you to donate money.

 

Get VoteWithMe here or learn more

 

 

 

Endorsement update for the General Election as of September 2018

Detailed proposition explanations follow our at-a-glance recommendations

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** CLICK HERE FOR A ONE-PAGER TO PRINT AND TAKE TO THE POLLS **

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Questions of the week:

-- Wondering where Sheila Kuehl is on your ballot?

Don't worry, she's not there, but it's because she did well enough in the primary to retain her seat!

-- And what about the judges not listed in our endorsements?

Per CA Dems, OK to say yes to all of them!

 

 

Props at a glance:

Proposition 1 – SUPPORT

Authorizes Bonds to Fund Specified Housing Assistance Programs. Legislative Statute.
Allows the state to sell $4 billion in general obligation bonds to fund veterans and affordable housing.

 

Proposition 2 – SUPPORT

Authorizes Bonds to Fund Existing Housing Program for Individuals with Mental Illness. Legislative Statute.
The state could use existing county mental health funds to pay for housing for those with mental illness who are homeless.

 

Proposition 3 – OPPOSE

Authorizes Bonds to Fund Projects for Water Supply and Quality, Watershed, Fish, Wildlife, Water Conveyance, and Groundwater Sustainability and Storage. Initiative Statute.
The state should not sell $8.9 billion in general obligation bonds to fund various water and environmental projects. This bond does not address fundamental water infrastructure problems in the state such as decaying aqueducts and dike infrastructure in the San Joaquin Delta.

 

Proposition 4 – SUPPORT

Authorizes Bonds Funding Construction at Hospitals Providing Children’s Health Care. Initiative Statute.
The state could sell $1.5 billion in general obligation bonds for the construction, expansion, renovation, and equipping of certain hospitals that treat children.

 

Proposition 5 – OPPOSE

Changes Requirements for Certain Property Owners to Transfer their Property Tax Base to Replacement Property. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.
This is essentially a tax break for seniors and a stimulus for the residential real estate market but it comes with a future cost of likely cuts to education spending and doesn’t do much to address the overall shortage of housing in CA. It does not address the fundamental problems of Prop 13.

 

Proposition 6 – OPPOSE

Eliminates Certain Road Repair and Transportation Funding. Requires Certain Fuel Taxes and Vehicle Fees be Approved by The Electorate. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.
This proposition would eliminate funding for more than 6,500 local transportation improvement projects underway in every community in California. Fuel and vehicle taxes recently passed by the Legislature should continue to be in effect and pay for highway and road maintenance and repairs, as well as transit programs.

 

Proposition 7 – OPPOSE

Conforms California Daylight Saving Time to Federal Law. Allows Legislature to Change Daylight Saving Time Period. Legislative Statute. 
California should not change to daylight saving time year round for a variety of reasons, including being out of sync with other West Coast states, having to compensate for varying time difference with New York (3 hours in summer, 2 in winter), more accidents, etc.

 

Proposition 8 – SUPPORT

Regulates Amounts Outpatient Kidney Dialysis Clinics Charge for Dialysis Treatment. Initiative Statute.
California kidney dialysis companies are charging $150,000 for a year of treatment, a 350% markup from cost of care. They should have their revenues limited by a formula and be required to pay rebates to certain private health insurance companies that pay for dialysis treatment.

 

Proposition 10 – SUPPORT

Expands Local Governments’ Authority to Enact Rent Control on Residential Property. Initiative Statute.
Many Californians are in dire need of housing reform, and local governments are best situated to respond with the most effective measures. Repealing Costa-Hawkins to go will enable local officials to protect residents from mass displacement, and protect communities.

Proposition 11 – OPPOSE

Requires Private-Sector Emergency Ambulance Employees to Remain On-Call During Work Breaks. Eliminates Certain Employer Liability. Initiative Statute.
Private ambulance companies would be subject to labor laws for this industry. Based on a recent court decision, these laws likely would require ambulance companies to provide EMTs and paramedics with off-duty meal and rest breaks that cannot be interrupted by a 911 call.

Proposition 12 – SUPPORT

Establishes New Standards for Confinement of Specified Farm Animals; Bans Sale of Noncomplying Products. Initiative Statute.

New requirements on farmers to provide more space for egg-laying hens, breeding pigs, and calves raised for veal.

L.A. County Property Tax to Clean Storm Water, Measure W – SUPPORT

More than 100 billion gallons of storm water is lost to the ocean from L.A. County every year, and the Safe, Clean Water Program could capture up to 42 billion of those gallons. The measure would allow the county to levy a tax of 2.5 cents per square foot of "impermeable space' on private property and cost an average tax on a single family house of $83 per year. The revenue from the tax is estimated to be $300 million annually would fund the construction, operation and maintenance of projects that collect, clean, and conserve storm water.  

L.A. City Measure Public Bank, Charter Amendment B – SUPPORT

AMENDMENT B is the first step towards exploring the creation of a socially, economically, and environmentally responsible city-owned bank. The measure is cost-free and risk-free. If voters approved such a charter amendment, it would remove one of a handful of hurdles standing in the way of a city-owned bank, and instead of paying $100M a year in banking fees and interest, funds could be reinvested into our communities, reduce the cost of infrastructure projects, instead of siphoned out by Wall Street.

L.A. City Measure, Realign City, State Election Dates, Charter Amendment E – SUPPORT

We support amending the City Charter to realign city elections with CA’s primary election in even years to boost voter participation.

 

L.A. School Measure, Realign LAUSD, State Election Dates, Charter Amendmt. EE – SUPPORT

We support amending the City Charter to realign LAUSD BOE elections in even years to boost voter participation.

 

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Detailed explanations of the propositions:

 

 

HISTORICAL INFO ON THE

June 5, 2018 PRIMARIES

May 21, 2018: Last day to register to vote in this election
May 29, 2018: Last day to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot

Your polling place is open from 7 AM to 8 PM

General information: https://votersedge.org

http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/statewide-direct-primary-june-5-2018/

http://www.lavote.net/home/voting-elections/current-elections/find-my-election-information

 

ENDORSED BY PPDC

US Senate
NO CONSENSUS

​US Congress, 33rd District​
TED LIEU (incumbent)

Governor​
GAVIN NEWSOM

Lt. Governor
ED HERNANDEZ

Secretary of State
ALEX PADILLA (incumbent)

Attorney General
DAVE JONES

State Treasurer​
FIONA MA

State Controller
BETTY YEE (incumbent)

Insurance Commissioner
RICARDO LARA

​ Board of Equalization District 3 ​
CHERYL TURNER

​Superintendent of ​Public Instruction​
TONY THURMOND

State Senate, 26th District
BEN ALLEN (incumbent)

State Assembly, 50th District
RICHARD BLOOM (incumbent)

L.A. County Assessor
JEFFREY PRANG (incumbent)

L.A. County Supervisor,​ District 3
SHEILA KUEHL (incumbent)

​ Los Angeles County Sheriff
NO ENDORSEMENT

 

L.A. COUNTY, JUDGE OF SUPERIOR COURT
(L.A. County Dem Party recommendations)

Office No. 4 ………………………………. Veronica Sauceda
Office No. 16 ………………………………. Patricia (Patti) Hunter
Office No. 20 ………………………………. Wendy Segall
Office No. 60 ………………………………. Tony Cho
Office No. 63 ………………………………. no consensus
Office No. 67 ………………………………. Hon. Maria Lucy Armendariz
Office No. 71 ………………………………. no endorsement
Office No.113 ………………………………. Javier Perez
Office No.118 ………………………………. David D. Diamond
Office No.126 ………………………………. Rene Caldwell Gilbertson
Office No.146 ………………………………. Hon. Armando Duron

 

BALLOT MEASURES

68-69 endorsed

70 opposed

71-72 endorsed

 

YES on Proposition 68 — Bonds for Environment, Parks and Water
Authorizes $4 billion in general obligation bonds for: parks, natural resources protection, climate adaptation, water quality and supply, and flood protection. Fiscal Impact: increased state bond repayment costs averaging $200 million annually over 40 years. Local government savings for natural resources-related projects, likely averaging several tens of millions of dollars annually over the next few decades.

All Californians deserve access to clean drinking water and safe local parks. Prop 68 helps protect California’s air quality and places where families hike, camp, swim and play.

YES on Proposition 69 — Transportation Funding
Requires that certain revenues generated by a 2017 transportation funding law be used only for transportation purposes and generally prohibits Legislature from diverting funds to other purposes. Fiscal Impact: no direct effect on the amount of state and local revenues or costs but could affect how some monies are spent.

Prop 69 would make sure that money from gas and diesel taxes is only spent for transportation purposes like fixing roads and mass transit. This would help every community in the state and guarantee that taxes go to valuable transportation projects.

NO on Proposition 70 — Cap-and-Trade Amendment
Beginning in 2024, requires that cap-and-trade revenues accumulate in a reserve fund until the Legislature, by a two-thirds majority, authorizes use of the revenues. Fiscal Impact: beginning in 2024, potential temporary increase in state sales tax revenue, ranging from none to a few hundred million dollars annually, and possible changes in how revenue from sale of greenhouse gas emission permits is spent.

Requiring a two-thirds vote would make it far too difficult for lawmakers to reach an agreement and would adversely affect climate change policy.

YES on Proposition 71 — Ballot Measure Effective Date
Provides that ballot measures approved by a majority of voters shall take effect five days after the Secretary of State certifies the results of the election. Fiscal Impact: likely little or no effect on state and local finances.

Prop 71 is a simple, common sense update of our election laws. In a state where 53 percent of voters are registered to vote by mail, ballot measures should not go into effect until all votes have been counted.

YES on Proposition 72 — Taxes for Rainwater Capture Systems
Permits Legislature to allow construction of rain-capture systems, completed on or after January 1, 2019, without requiring property-tax reassessment. Fiscal Impact: probably minor reduction in annual property-tax revenues to local governments.

California has experienced periods of drought and will likely face more dry years in the future. Homeowners should not be penalized for installing rainwater capture systems that help our entire state.