With California elections coming up On June 8th it is important for students to know what may soon become law.  Some Corona del Mar students will be able to vote for their first time next Tuesdays, some wish they could and according to voter trends, even more could care less.  Nonetheless, this article is meant to inform CdM students of the upcoming propositions.

Proposition 13:

Proposition 13 is a minor revision to the famous California initiative passed in 1978.  The original law was a land mark reform of California property tax that set the tax rate at exactly 1% of total purchasing price of a home.  The revision on Tuesday makes it so that property value is not reassessed after owners retrofit new earthquake safety mechanisms in their buildings.

The proposition is virtually unopposed.  In fact, the Secretary of State released no counter argument to the bill in the Official Voter Information Guide.  This proposition is expected to pass.

Proposition 14:

This law establishes open primaries in California.  Currently, California has a closed primary, which means that when voting a California residents can only vote for a primary candidate in the party they are registered for.  This applies to both federal and state elections.  Under an open primary registered voters can vote for whichever candidate they want, regardless of party.  Proposition 14 will not effect elections for the presidency.

Proponents of this this proposition typically site the fact that this will increase voter participation in California.  They also believe that by having a more open primary partisanship will decrease.  Opponents believe that, because the law would allow candidates to withhold their party on the ballot which would encourages business as usual politics.  The proposition will also make the voting process slightly mroe expensive, because changes will have to be made to voting procedures.

Proposition 15:

The California Fair Elections Act repeals the ban on public funding of California candidates.  Currently no state money is given to candidates seeking office in California.  This law would allow candidates to apply for a grant provided they are willing to accept restrictions on campaign spending and private contributions.

Proponents of the act argue that politicians currently spend too much time trying to fund raise  and not enough time make the lives of Californian’s better.  They also believe that candidates receive too much money from special interest groups, influencing their decisions.  They says that, “Campaigns should be won, not bough by special interests.”  Opponents to act argue that it is wrong for taxpayer’s money to be used in political campaigns and that the amount of money can be increased without voter approval.  They aslo say that proposition 15 is “full of hidden loopholes” however no specifics are given.  While proponents point out the fact that the act does not increase taxes, opponents argue that because proposition 15 increases spending it will inevitably lead to more taxes in a state that is already struggling to make ends meet.

Proposition 16:

The Taxpayers Right to Vote Act requires that in order to provide or expand electricity services to new customers, local governments must get a 2/3 vote from voters in a community.  In California approximately 24% of utilities are publicly owned, this proposition only affects these providers.  In layman’s terms in order for local governments to use “public funds” (defined loosely), local municipalities must get a 2/3 vote from the community.  The act has an unknown impact on state and local budgets.

Proponents of the act stress that the law gives more rights to the people because they have a say in how their local governments will spend money.  They believe that this is extremely important especially considering current economic times.  Opponents claim that the act will drastically limit one’s choice for an electrical provider, reducing competition; albeit without giving specifics as to how or why this would happen.  The “reductions monopoly on electricity” would increase the price of electricity for California’s residents.

Proposition 17:

Proposition 17 will allow auto insurance companies to offer a discount to drivers who have maintained their auto insurance coverage, regardless of whether they have changed providers.  It also allows companies to raise rates on those who have no history of auto insurance coverage.

Proponents argue that this will make insurance more affordable for the 80% of responsible drovers in California.  This is due to the fact that currently drivers can be penalized and lose their discounts by changing insurance companies.  Opponents dismiss this completely as a fallacy saying that the act will raise insurance rates on responsible drivers and will hurt the middle class.