NON-PARTISAN VOTER GUIDE For The February 5, 2008 Election
The state’s General Fund will not be allowed to borrow from the Transportation Investment Fund and must repay funds borrowed before 2008 by 2017.
Proposition 91
Arguments For
Closes a loophole in Prop 1A which currently allows the State Legislature to borrow money from the Transportation Investment Fund as long as it is repaid in 3 years.
Arguments Against
Authors of the initiative now oppose Prop 91 because the problem it was written to address was resolved in Prop 1A which passed in 2006.
Supporters
Southern California Transit Advocates
Transportation California (coalition which sponsored proposition)
Opponents
Separates K-12 and community college minimum funding requirements. Reduces community college fees to $15 per unit and limits future inceases. Fees will go up in proportion to growth in average household income. Establishes independent community college districts and board of governors.
Proposition 92
Arguments For
Fee reduction means more people can afford community college. Separating K-12 and community college minimum funding requirements means both K-12 and community college funding grows in proportion to the growth of their distinct populations.
Arguments Against
Reduction in fees means less revenue for community colleges. Increased spending may come from new taxes and/or cuts to critical programs.
California Federation of Teachers California Federation of Labor
Supporters
California Teachers Association League of Women Voters of California
Opponents
Reduces the total amount of time a person can serve on the state legislature from 14 years to 12 years, all of which can be served in the Assembly or the Senate. Presently, someone can serve up to 3 two-year terms in the Assembly and 2 four-year terms in the Senate. Current legislators can serve up to 12 years in the house they are currently in regardless of service in another house.
Proposition 93
Arguments For
Allows new people to enter the legislature. Allows experienced people to stay longer in either the Assembly or the Senate to address complex matters.
Arguments Against
Lengthens term limits in each house, limiting the ability of new people to enter. Term limits of current legislators would be lengthened beyond 12 years due to previous service in the other house.
Former State Controller Steve Westly Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Supporters
Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
Opponents
Allows additional 17,000 slot machines in casinos owned by the Pechanga, Morongo, Agua Caliente and Sycuan tribes. Requires annual payment of $131 million from the tribes to the state’s General Fund. Allows Tribal Environmental Impact Report and intergovernmental procedure to address environmental impact.
Propositions 94-97
Arguments For
Ensures money for the state budget. Provides new environmental and labor protections. May increase employment in casinos.
Arguments Against
Doesn’t guarantee money transferred to the state will go to needed services. Casino expansion may hurt the environment. Doesn’t guarantee workers’ rights.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Linda Adams, Secretary, California Environmental Protection Agency
Supporters
Dolores Huerta, Co-Founder, United Farm Workers American Indian Rights & Resources Organization
Opponents
Proposition S Reduces a Los Angeles city tax on landline and wireless phone users from 10% to 9%. Exempts low income senior and disabled households. Funds from tax will go to city services.
Arguments For
If Prop S does not pass, the City of Los Angeles stands to lose $270 million in revenue which could go to essential services such as fire and police
Arguments Against
Expands a tax without guaranteeing exactly where increased revenue to the city will be spent.
Antonio R. Villaraigosa, Mayor, City of Los Angeles
Supporters
Opponents
Walter Moore
ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY FEBRUARY 5, 2008
Know Your Rights!
You have the right to request a ballot in a language other than English. If you make a mistake on your ballot and have not yet cast it, you have the right to request a new ballot. You have the right to vote if you are homeless or do not have a permanent address. If you have been convicted of a misdemeanor you have the right to vote, even if you are currently incarcerated. If you have been convicted of a felony and have completed your sentence, including a period of parole, and have registered to vote since completion of your parole, you have the right to vote. If you are eligible to vote and your name is on the roster at your poll you have the right to vote and do not need identification, unless you are a new voter. However, you may want to bring identification in case there is a problem with your registration. If you are physically challenged/disabled, and your polling place is inaccessible, you have the right to vote in a place that is as near as possible to the polling place and is accessible. If you are unable to go to a polling place on Election Day, you can vote in person with an emergency absentee ballot between Wednesday January 30, 2008 and Tuesday February 5, 2008 at the Registrar-Recorder County Clerk office, 12400 Imperial Hwy., Norwalk, CA 90650; or by sending a written and signed request for an absentee ballot to PO Box 1024, Norwalk, CA 90651-1024 which authorizes another person to bring your ballot and return it to the elections office or any polling place.
Report Voting Problems to an Election Protection Hotline
Asian Pacific American Legal Center – Chinese (800) 520-2356; Vietnamese (800) 267-7395; Khmer (800) 867 -3126 Korean Resources Center – Korean (323) 937-3718 National Association of Latino Elected Officials – Spanish (888) VE-Y-VOTA People for the American Way Election Protection Hotline – (866)-OUR-VOTE Voter registration forms available at 1 – 800 – 345 -- VOTE; or go online to www.lavote.net or www.sos.ca.gov; or visit any Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or public assitance offices (DPSS, WIC) Find your polling place on your Sample Ballot or call (800) 815-2666 or go to http://lavote.net/locator
The Liberty Hill Foundation partners with innovative and effective Los Angeles grassroots organizations to combat poverty and injustice, and help transform the “City of Angels” into a place that promises safety, equality and opportunity for everyone who lives here. Liberty Hill’s voter guide is designed to provide disenfranchised communities with the critical information they need to bring about change in their lives through civic participation. The promise of democracy will only be realized when every American has a voice. This guide is not intended to take a position on any of the propositions, but to provide unbiased, non-partisan information to voters. To learn more about Liberty Hill please visit our website at www.LibertyHill.org or call (310) 453-3611. Supporters and opponents listed in this guide are individuals or organizations who have come out publicly for or against the listed ballot measures, as identified by Liberty Hill Foundation from media reports, ballot measure campaigns, and/or web sites as of January 28, 2008.