Title
a. Consider adoption of recommendations from the Legislative Committee to support Propositions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 35 on the ballot for California’s General Election on November 5, 2024; and
b. Consider taking a position on Proposition 36 which the Legislative Committee referred to the Board for direction. (MOVED FROM AM SCHEDULE TO PM SCHEDULE VIA SUPPLEMENTAL)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Consider adoption of recommendations from the Legislative Committee to support Propositions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 35 on the ballot for California’s General Election on November 5, 2024; and
b. Consider taking a position on Proposition 36 which the Legislative Committee referred to the Board for direction.
SUMMARY:
The Legislative Committee met on August 12, 2024, reviewed propositions appearing on California’s General Election ballot on November 5, 2024, and recommended that the Board of Supervisors weigh in with support positions on Propositions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 35. The Committee received information, discussed, and referred Proposition 36 to the Board without a recommendation. Information was also provided to the Committee on Propositions 32, 33 and 34 but no discussion occurred on these measures and no recommendations were made.
DISCUSSION:
There are ten (10) propositions on California’s November 5, 2024, General Election ballot. The Legislative Committee reviewed the propositions and recommended that the Board support Propositions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 35:
Proposition 2: Authorizes Bonds for Public School and Community College Facilities. Legislative Statute.
• Authorizes $10 billion in general obligation bonds for repair, upgrade, and construction of facilities at K-12 public schools (including charter schools), community colleges, and career technical education programs, including for improvement of health and safety conditions and classroom upgrades. Requires annual audits.
• Fiscal Impact: Increased state costs of about $500 million annually for 35 years to repay the bond.
• Supporters: California Teachers Association; California School Nurses Organization; Community College League of California
• Opponents: Opponents: Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
Proposition 3: Constitutional Right to Marriage. Legislative Constitutional Amendment.
• Amends California Constitution to recognize fundamental right to marry, regardless of sex or race. Removes language in California Constitution stating that marriage is only between a man and a woman.
• Fiscal Impact: No change in revenues or costs for state and local governments.
• Supporters: Sierra Pacific Synod of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Dolores Huerta Foundation; Equality California
• Opponents: Jonathan Keller, California Family Council; Rev. Tanner DiBella
Proposition 4: Authorizes Bonds for Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, and Protecting Communities and Natural Lands from Climate Risks. Legislative Statute.
• Authorizes $10 billion in general obligation bonds for water, wildfire prevention, and protection of communities and lands. Requires annual audits.
• Fiscal Impact: Increased state costs of about $400 million annually for 40 years to repay the bond.
• Supporters: Clean Water Action; CALFIRE Firefighters; National Wildlife Federation; The Nature Conservancy
• Opponents: Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.
Proposition 5: Allows Local Bonds for Affordable Housing and Public Infrastructure with 55% Voter Approval. Legislative Constitutional Amendment.
• Allows approval of local infrastructure and housing bonds for low- and middle-income Californians with 55% vote. Accountability requirements.
• Fiscal Impact: Increased local borrowing to fund affordable housing, supportive housing, and public infrastructure. The amount would depend on decisions by local governments and voters. Borrowing would be repaid with higher property taxes.
• Supporters: California Professional Firefighters; League of Women Voters of California; Habitat for Humanity California
• Opponents: California Taxpayers Association; California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce; Women Veterans Alliance
Proposition 6: Eliminates Constitutional Provision Allowing Involuntary Servitude for Incarcerated Persons. Legislative Constitutional Amendment.
• Amends the California Constitution to remove current provision that allows jails and prisons to impose involuntary servitude to punish crime (i.e., forcing incarcerated persons to work).
• Fiscal Impact: Potential increase or decrease in state and local costs, depending on how work for people in state prison and county jail changes. Any effect likely would not exceed the tens of millions of dollars annually.
• Supporters: Assemblymember Lori Wilson
• Opponents: None submitted
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
The Committee received information, discussed, and referred Proposition 36 to the Board without a recommendation:
• Proposition 36: Allows Felony Changes and Increases Sentences for Certain Drug and Theft Crimes. Initiative Statute.
The Committee received information but did not discuss or make recommendations on:
• Proposition 32: Raises Minimum Wage. Initiative Statute.
• Proposition 33: Expands Local Governments’ Authority to Enact Rent Control on Residential Property. Initiative Statute.
• Proposition 34: Restricts Spending of Prescription Drug Revenues by Certain Health Care Providers. Initiative Statute.
The Secretary of State’s Official Voter Information Guide for California’s General Election on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, is available at the Secretary of State’s website or at this link:
<https://vig.cdn.sos.ca.gov/2024/general/pdf/complete-vig.pdf> The Voter Information Guide is also included in this report as EXHIBIT A.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Information contained in this report was provided by the California Secretary of State’s Office and the County’s state legislative advocate, Ashley Walker of Nossaman LLP.
FINANCING:
The requested actions have no impact of the General Fund.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Recommendations in this report could potentially impact every area of the Board’s Strategic Initiatives.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
x__Economic Development
x__Administration
x__Health & Human Services
x__Infrastructure
x__Public Safety
Prepared by: Annette D’Adamo, Legislative Program Manager, ext. 3045
Approved by: Nicholas E. Chiulos, Chief Assistant CAO, ext. 5145
Attachment: EXHIBIT A - Official Voter Information Guide