Opponents: National Org. for Women; Consumer Watchdog; Coalition for Economic Survival; AIDS Healthcare Foundation; Dolores Huerta
The initiative process in California is badly broken. What was supposed to be a way for private citizens to have a say in the legislative process, the epitome of direct democracy, has been corrupted by big money politics. In 2022, sponsors spent $16.18 per required signature just to get initiatives on the ballot. Currently the number of valid signatures needed is 546,651 or almost $9 million. That is before a single cent is spent on marketing.
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation is the sponsor of PROP 33 which would repeal the state law limiting the types of rent control that localities can enact. In retaliation, the California Apartment Association place PROP 34 on the ballot. According to the Los Angeles Times, "It applies only to healthcare providers that have spent more than $100 million in the last decade on anything not considered direct patient care and that operate multifamily housing with more than 500 high-severity health and safety violations. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation meets all of those criteria."
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation is able to get discounts from pharmaceutical companies but is reimbursed for the full price under federal programs. The non-profit then uses some of the resulting "revenue" to support tenant protection measures like PROP 33. Under this proposition, it would lose its tax-exempt status if it continued these activities.
This weaponization of the initiative process needs to be opposed. I am voting "No."
Proposition 35
Provides Permanent Funding for Medi-Cal Health Care Services. Initiative Statute.
Makes permanent the existing tax on managed health care insurance plans, which, if approved by the federal government, provides revenues to pay for Medi-Cal health care services. Fiscal Impact: Short-term state costs between roughly $1 billion and $2 billion annually to increase funding for certain health programs. Total funding increase between roughly $2 billion to $5 billion annually. Unknown long-term fiscal effects.
Supporters: Planned Parenthood Affiliates of CA; American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists; American Academy of Pediatrics, CA
Opponents: None submitted
Under existing law, managed care insurance plans are taxed, with the proceeds used to increase the reimbursement rate for primary and specialty care providers serving Medi-Cal patients. This proposition would prevent this law from sunsetting and ensures that the state does not redirect these revenues to non-health care purposes.
No opinion in opposition was provided to the Secretary of State. Without a reason not to I am voting "Yes."
Proposition 36
Allows Felony Charges and Increases Sentences for Certain Drug and Theft Crimes. Initiative Statute.
Allows felony charges for possessing certain drugs and for thefts under $950, if the defendant has two prior drug or theft convictions. Fiscal Impact: State criminal justice costs likely ranging from several tens of millions of dollars to the low hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Local criminal justice costs likely in the tens of millions of dollars annually
Supporters: Crime Victims United of California; California District Attorneys Association; Family Business Association of California
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