Conservative Donnybrook

I have included a summary of each proposition from the Secretary of State in California and then given my commentary and advice on voting.  Here we go!

1A
To provide Californians a safe, convenient, affordable, and reliable alternative to driving and high gas prices; to provide good-paying jobs and improve California’s economy while reducing air pollution, global warming greenhouse gases, and our dependence on foreign oil, shall $9.95 billion in bonds be issued to establish a clean, efficient high-speed train service linking Southern California, the Sacramento/San Joaquin Valley, and the San Francisco Bay Area, with at least 90 percent of bond funds spent for specific projects, with private and public matching funds required, including, but not limited to, federal funds, funds from revenue bonds, and local funds, and all bond funds subject to independent audits? Fiscal Impact: State costs of $19.4 billion, assuming 30 years to pay both principal and interest costs of the bonds. Payments would average about $647 million per year. When constructed, unknown operation and maintenance costs, probably over $1 billion annually; at least partially, and potentially fully, offset by passenger fares.

MY TAKE: $19.4 billion to start, and then at least $1 billion annually!  And who knows when the damn thing would be operational.  Do you have any idea how many tunnels and bridges would be required to build this?  There is a reason why private industry has not done this: It is not expensive or difficult to make this flight on an airplane.  This is a huge waste of taxpayer money.  The state is already in dire financial straits.  This proposition makes things worse.
NO

2
Requires that certain farm animals be allowed, for the majority of every day, to fully extend their limbs or wings, lie down, stand up and turn around. Limited exceptions apply. Fiscal Impact: Potential unknown decrease in state and local tax revenues from farm businesses, possibly in the range of several million dollars annually. Potential minor local and state enforcement and prosecution costs, partly offset by increased fine revenue.

MY TAKE: Its not that I am for the inhumane treatment of animals, but I am against over-reaching government practices.  Besides, our state has better things to do that police chicken coops for the required wing room.
NO

3
Authorizes $980,000,000 in general obligation bonds for construction, expansion, remodeling, renovation, furnishing and equipping of eligible children’s hospitals. Fiscal Impact: State cost of about $2 billion over 30 years to pay off both the principal ($980 million) and interest ($933 million) costs of the bonds. Payments of about $64 million per year.

MY TAKE: A better way to save money for ailing health care institutions is to recoup loses by charging the federal government for the costs incurred as a result of illegal immigrants.  This is just too costly and the wrong bandage for the bleeding.
NO

4 Changes California Constitution, prohibiting abortion for unemancipated minor until 48 hours after physician notifies minor’s parent, legal guardian, or, in limited cases, substitute adult relative. Provides an exception for medical emergency or parental waiver. Fiscal Impact: Potential unknown net state costs of several million dollars annually for health and social services programs, court administration, and state health agency administration combined.

MY TAKE: You can’t even give a student medicine in school without parental approval.  A minor is in the care of the guardians/ parents.  Notification is a positive thing that may reduce unwanted pregnancies and definitely will reduce abortions.
YES

5
Allocates $460,000,000 annually to improve and expand treatment programs. Limits court authority to incarcerate offenders who commit certain drug crimes, break drug treatment rules or violate parole. Fiscal Impact: Increased state costs potentially exceeding $1 billion annually primarily for expansion of offender treatment programs. State savings potentially exceeding $1 billion annually on corrections operations. Net one-time state prison capital outlay savings potentially exceeding $2.5 billion.

MY TAKE: Our prisons and jails should not be over-crowded because Johnny does some blow on the weekend.  We are looking to save money and reducing the cost for Californians on these sorts of victimless crimes is a great place to start
YES

6
Requires minimum of $965,000,000 of state funding each year for police and local law enforcement. Makes approximately 30 revisions to California criminal law. Fiscal Impact: Increased net state costs exceeding $500 million annually due to increasing spending on criminal justice programs to at least $965 million and for corrections operating costs. Potential one-time state prison capital outlay costs exceeding $500 million.

MY TAKE: That is a first year cost of $1 billion!  We just don’t have the money and we have enough police as it is.  Passing prop. 5 will make this prop un-necessary.
NO

7
Requires government-owned utilities to generate 20% of their electricity from renewable energy by 2010, a standard currently applicable to private electrical corporations. Raises requirement for all utilities to 40% by 2020 and 50% by 2025. Fiscal Impact: Increased state administrative costs up to $3.4 million annually, paid by fees. Unknown impact on state and local government costs and revenues due to the measure’s uncertain impact on retail electricity rates.

MY TAKE: This will raise the cost of every Californians energy use.  I can’t afford it and I shouldn’t have to pay more for less.
NO

8
Changes California Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry. Provides that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. Fiscal Impact: Over next few years, potential revenue loss, mainly sales taxes, totaling in the several tens of millions of dollars, to state and local governments. In the long run, likely little fiscal impact on state and local governments.

MY TAKE: No matter your view of homosexuality, allowing two consenting adults to marry does not, in any way, affect your life.  Why deny them tax, probate, hospital and other rights simply because you disagree with their lifestyle?  You simply can not outlaw everything you find sinful.  Get over yourself.
NO

9
Requires notification to victim and opportunity for input during phases of criminal justice process, including bail, pleas, sentencing and parole. Establishes victim safety as consideration for bail or parole. Fiscal Impact: Potential loss of state savings on prison operations and increased county jail costs amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Potential net savings in the low tens of millions of dollars annually on parole procedures.

MY TAKE: I see both sides here.  Victims are often lost in the prosecutorial shuffle.  More focus on the victim is probably a positive thing.
YES

10
Authorizes $5 billion in bonds paid from state’s General Fund, to help consumers and others purchase certain vehicles, and to fund research in renewable energy and alternative fuel vehicles. Fiscal Impact: State cost of about $10 billion over 30 years to repay bonds. Increased state and local revenues, potentially totaling several tens of millions of dollars through 2019. Potential state administrative costs up to about $10 million annually.

MY TAKE: $10 billion for a few ugly prius’?!  Nope.  We are in a financially turbulent time, aren’t we?         NO

11
Changes authority for establishing state office boundaries from elected representatives to commission. Establishes multilevel process to select commissioners from registered voter pool. Commission comprised of Democrats, Republicans, and representatives of neither party. Fiscal Impact: Potential increase in state redistricting costs once every ten years due to two entities performing redistricting. Any increase in costs probably would not be significant.

MY TAKE: It is about time we freed our legislature from the grip of partisan gerrymandering.  This helps return the make up of the California legislature to the people, where it belongs.
YES

12
This act provides for a bond issue of nine hundred million dollars ($900,000,000) to provide farm and home aid for California veterans. Fiscal Impact: Costs of about $1.8 billion to pay off both the principal ($900 million) and interest ($856 million) on the bonds; costs paid by participating veterans. Average payment for principal and interest of about $59 million per year for 30 years.

MY TAKE: I would be tempted to say yes if we were not in such dire straits (not the band).  Sorry, but we can’t afford this.
NO