A Breakdown of the Propositions for the California General Election
Video by Maritza Moulite and Max Holm
California general elections are right around the corner and there are six propositions people will be voting on. The California Secretary of State’s website has information on all of the props. Here's a breakdown of what a "yes" or "no" vote on each prop will mean.
Prop 1 is vote on a water bond dealing with funding for water quality, supply, and treatment projects in the state. This would mean $7.5 billion in general obligation bonds for water supply projects and would not raise taxes. Projects would include surface and groundwater storage, drinking water protection, ecosystem and watershed protection and restoration.
YES: Take $425 million in unsold general obligation bonds to fund water related-projects
NO: $7.545 billion could not be used for water projects
Prop 2 deals with transferring annual state general fund revenues to repay state debts. The leftover funds would go to emergencies or budget deficits.
YES: Possibility state debts could be paid faster. School district budgets would be capped in some years.
NO: The rules for payment of state debts, state budget reserves and local school district reserves would not change.
Prop 45 deals with healthcare insurance rates. Health insurers would not be able to change rates or anything affecting chargers without insurance commissioner’s approval.
YES: Approval would be needed for individual and small group health insurance.
NO: State will continue to review rates, but not approve them.
Prop 46 requires drug testing for doctors and review before prescribing controlled substances
YES: Medical malpractice damages would be increased from 250,000 dollars to 1.1 million dollars.
NO: Medical malpractice damages would stay at 250,000 dollars, drug testing would not be required for doctors, and the statewide prescription database would not be checked before prescribing controlled substances.
Prop 47, as discussed in the clip above, would give way to misdemeanor sentences for certain drug and property offenses unless the person has prior conviction for serious or violent crime or are a registered sex offender.
YES: Savings from shorter jail sentences would go towards programs such as mental health and drug abuse treatment and dropout prevention.
NO: Penalties would not be reduced for these offenders.
Prop 48 deals with the tribal gaming compacts with the North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians and Wiyot Tribes and the state.
YES: North Fork could open a new casino in Madera County and would make payments to state and local governments, and other tribes.
NO: North Fork Rancheria and Wiyot Tribes could not begin gaming without creating a new compact and obtaining approval from state and federal governments.
Voters can visit sos.ca.gov to find the nearest polling station.
