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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-02-05 City Council (3)City of Palo Alto City Manager’s Report TO: ATTN: FROM: HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL POLICY AND SERVICES COMMITTEE CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: 3 CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE DATE:FEBRUARY 5, 2002 CMR: 138:02 SUBJECT:CALIFORNIA BALLOT MEASURES FOR MARCH ELECTION 5, 2002 This is an informational report and no Council action is required. DISCUSSION Staff has prepared a summary of the propositions on the State ballot for the March 5, 2002, election. There are six propositions on the March ballot - one measure placed on the ballot by initiative and five measures placed by the Legislature. A brief description of each proposition along with the position of the League of California Cities follows. Summaries of the proposition prepared by the Secretary of State are attached. Additional information and analysis can be obtained by visiting the Secretary of State’s website at vvww.ss.ca.gov or the Legislative Analyst’s website at www.lao.ca.gov(.) Proposition 40 - California Clean -Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002 This measure allows the state to sell $2.6 billion of general obligation bonds to conserve natural resources (land, air, and water), to acquire and improve state and local parks, and to preserve historical and cultural resources. The League of California Cities supports this measure. Proposition 41 - Voting Modernization Act of 2002 This measure allows the state to sell $200 million in general obligation bonds for updated voting systems. The League of California Cities supports this measure. Proposition 42 - Transportation Funding." Sales and Use Tax Revenues This measure places in the State Constitution those provisions of current law that require that, from 2003-04 through 2007-08, gasoline sales tax revenues be used for specified state and local transportation pu~rposes. The League of California Cities supports this measure. Proposition 43 - Right to Have Vote Counted CMR:138:02 Page 1 of 2 This measure amends the Constitution to explicitly state that every vote cast in accordance with state law shall be counted, thus affirming in the Constitution the right of the voter to have his/her vote counted. The League of California Cities has taken no position on this measure. Proposition 44 - Insurance Fraud This measure requires the Board of Chiropractic Examiners to revoke for ten years the license of a chiropractor who is convicted for a second time, or is convicted of multiple counts in a single case, of various specified offenses, including insurance fraud. The League of California Cities has taken no position on this measure. Proposition 45 - Legislative Term Limits. Local Voter Petitions This measure allows local voters to petition the Secretary of State to permit their incumbent Senator or Assembly Member who is termed-out to run for reelection to that same office at the next election or elections (in the case of the Assembly), thereby allowing the legislator to serve up to an additional four years in office. The League of California Cities has taken no position on this measure. ATTACHMENTS Ballot Measure Summary PREPARED BY: Chris Mogensen, A~istant to the City Manager CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: Emilg]-Iarrison, Assistant City Manager CMR:138:02 Page 2 of 2 BALLOT MEASURE SUMMARY The California C lean Water, C Iean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks; and Coastal Protection Act of 2002. Summary To protect rivers, lakes, and streams to improve water quality and ensure dean drinking water; to protect beaches and coastal areas threatened by pollution; to improve air quality; to preserve open space and farmland threatened by unplanned development; to protect wildlife habitat; to restore historical and cultural resources; to repair and improve the safety of state and neighborhood parks; the state shall issue bonds totaling two billion six hundred million dollars ($2,600,000,000) paid from existing funds. This program is subject to an annual independent audit. Piscal Impact: State cost of about $4.3 billion over 25 years (average cost of about $172 million per year) to repay bonds. State and local operation and maintenance costs of potentially tens of millions of dollars annually. What Your Vote Means Yes No A YES vote on this measure A NO vote on this measure means: The state could sell $2.6 means: The state could not sell billion in bonds for natural $2.6 billion in bonds for these resources conservation, state purposes. and local park acquisition and improvement, and historical and cultural resources preservation purposes. Arguments Pro Con YES on 401 Clean water, clean air, and safe neighborhood parks protect our health and safety. Annual audits make this measure accountable. Keep California safe and beautiful, and protect the quality of your neighborhood. Supported by Audubon Society, California Organization of Police and Sheriffs, and L.A. Chamber of Commerce. California is facing huge budget deficits which will result in cuts in services, tax hikes, or both. Now is not the time to go another $2,600,000,000 into debt. The voters already approved $4,000,000,000 in bonds for water and parks in 2000. We must prioritize our spending in these uncertain times. For Additional Information For Against Bryan Blum Californians for Clean Water, Clean Air, Coastal Protection, and Safe Neighborhood Parks 926 J Street, #612 Sacramento, CA 95814 916-313-4539 bblum@voteyeson40.org www.voteyeson40.org Senator Ray Haynes EO. Box 51891 Riverside, CA 92517 909-698-2158 www.hjta.org Voting Modernization Bond Act of 2002.(Shel ley-Hertzberg Act). Summary This act is to ensure that every person’s vote is accurately counted. It authorizes the issuance of state bonds allowing counties to ~urchase modem voting equipment and replace outdated punch card (chad) systems. This act provides for bonds in the amount of two hundred million dollars ($200,000,000) and appropriates money from the General Fund to pay off bonds. Fiscal Impact: State costs of about $255 million over ten years (average cost of about $26 million annually) to repay bonds. One-time county costs of about $67 million statewide to match state funds. Additional annual county operating costs in the several tens of millions of dollars statewide. What Your Vote Means Yes No A YES vote on this measure A NO vote on this measure means: The state could sell $200 means: The state could not sell million in bonds to assist $200 million in bonds for this counties with the purchase of purpose. new voting systems. Arguments Pro Proposition 41 will modernize all of California’s antiquated voting machines with new high tech voting machines to ensure that every vote is counted. Proposition 41 is endorsed by the League of Women Voters of California, Congress of California Seniors, Assembly Majority Leader Kevin Shelley, and Secretary of State Bill Jones. Proposition 41 is another debt for Californians to pay. We should pay for new voting machines with current tax collections rather than increase our debt and interest payments. Californians cannot and should not assume more debt. Politicians should spend wisely, not keep asking us to shoulder more debt. For Additional Information For Against Robert Barnes or Mark Capitolo Yes on Prop. 41 1t21 L Street, Suite 401 Sacramento, CA 95814 916-325-8600 mail@41-yes.org www.41-yes.org Honorable Dennis Mountjoy Member of the Assembly P.O. Box 877 Monrovia, CA 91017 626-357-8237 dmountjoy59@aol.com *11 *Ballot Measure Summary BALLOT MEASURE SUMMARY Transportation Congestion Improvement Act. AI location of Existing Motor Vehicle Fuel Sales and Use Tax Revenues for Transportation PurpoSes On l y. Legis I ative Constitutiona I Amendment. SummaFy Requires, effective July 1, 2003, existing revenues resulting from state sales and use taxes on the sale of motor vehicle fuel be used for transportation purposes as provided by law until June 30, 2008. Requires, effective July 1, 2008, existing revenues resulting from state sales and use taxes be used for public transit and mass transportation; city and county street and road repairs and improvements; and state highway improvements. Imposes the requirement for a two-thirds of the Legislature to suspend or modify the percentage allocation of the revenues. Fiscal Impact: Starting in 2008-09, about $1.4 billion in state gasoline sales tax revenues, increasing annually thereafter, would continue to be used for state and local transportation purposes. What Your Vote Means Yes A YES vote on this measure means: The State Constitution would require, beginning in 2003-04, that gasoline sales tax revenues be used annually for state and local transportation purposes. No A NO vote on this measure means: Gasoline sales tax revenues would not be required by the State Constitution to be used for state and local transportation purposes. Arguments Pro Police, fire and public safety officials, taxpayer groups, auto clubs recommend YES on 42. Requires gasoline sales tax (we already pay at the pump) be used to improve road safety, mass transit and reduce tra~c-- WITHOUT RAISING TAXES. 6000 bridges/overpasses need repair. ANNUAL AUDIT required. Provides ACCOUNT- ABILITY to TAXPAYERS. ~on Prop 42 has us voting in 2002 on spending priorities that take effect in 2008. It woiJld force $1.2 billion in vital education, health care and public safety cuts to pay for increased spending on transportation. It locks into the Constitution a transportation spending formula with no taxpayer accountability. For Additional Information For Against Taxpayers for Traffic Relief/Yes No contact information on 42, A Coalition of Taxpayers, available. Construction, Business, Labor, Engineers and Commuters 11300 West Olympic Blvd., #840 Los Angeles, CA 90064 310-996-2671 info@yesprop42.com www.yesprop42.com Right to Have Vote Counted. Legislative Constitutional Amendment. Y Amends Constitution to declare that a voter who casts a vote in an election in accord with the laws of this state shall have that vote counted. Fiscal Impact: No additional cost to state or local governments. What Your Vote Means Yes A YES vote on this measure means: The State Constitution would be amended to affirm the right of a voter to have his/her vote counted. In addition, state law (1) would explicitly authorize county elections officials to ask the court for an extension of a post-election deadline to allow additional time to count votes and (2) would explicitly authorize courts to approve such a request. Arguments Pro The right to vote is meaningless if you cannot be sure that your vote will be counted. Proposition 43 expressly provides you with a constitutional right to have your vote counted. By voting YES, you help ensure that elections are decided by voters, and not by courts or government officials. No A NO vote on this measure means: The State Constitution would not be amended to affirm the right of a voter to have his/her vote counted. State law (1) would not explicitly authorize county elections officials to ask the court for an extension of a post-election deadline to allow additional time to count votes and (2) would not explicitly authorize courts to approve such a request. ~on Proposition 43 sounds good--but will do more harm than good. The problem in California is NOT that ballots are not counted. The problem is that special interest groups and giant corporations buy elections. We desperately need some form of public financing of campaigns for state offices. For Additional Information For ’ Against Ethan Jones 2707 O Street, #11 Sacramento, CA 95816 916-443-6036 YesOnProp43@sbcglobal.net Gary B. Wesley Voter Information Alliance(VIA) P.O. Box 90151 San Jose, CA 95109 408-882-5070 www.VoterIn formationAlliance.org Ballot Measure Summary BALLOT MEASURE SUMMARY Chiropractors. Unprofessional Conduct. Legislative Initiative Amendment. Summary Amends Chiropractic Act to specify practices constituting unprofessional conduct; require investigation of licensee in certain circumstances and license revocation upon second conviction, or multiple convictions, of specified insurance fraud offenses. Fiscal Impact: Negligible additional state implementation costs. Potential state savings of unknown amount resulting from lower workers’ compensation and Medi-Cal costs. What Your Vote Means, Yes No A YES vote on this measure means: The Board of Chiropractic Examiners would be required to revoke a chiropractor’s license for a period of ten years upon his or her conviction of various criminal offenses,including insurance fraud,and to investigate any licensed chiropractor who is criminally charged with committing insurance fraud. A NO vote on this measure means: The Board of Chiropractic Examiners would retain discretion to determine the disciplinary action to impose against a licensed chiropractor and whether to investigate every licensed chiropractor who is criminally charged with committing insurance fraud. Arguments Pro Insurance fraud creates higher insurance premiums for us all. Although most chiropractors practice lawfully, some do not. Stiffer penalties for second convictions of insurance fraud must be put in place like ones that exist for other professionals like doctors and lawyers. Vote "yes" on Proposition 44 to help stop fraud. Con Let the punishment fit the crime. The only reason a chiropractor should lose his license is for harming patients. Financial dishonesty has nothing to do with medical skill. Chiropractors who commit fraud should have to pay back their victims, and must be able to earn a living to do so. For Additional Information For Against Jackie Speier State Senator Re. Box 3113 Daly City, CA 94015 650-361-0301 Ted Brown Libertarian Party of California 14547 Titus Street, Suite 214 Panorama City, CA 91402 818-782-8400 tedbrown1776@hotmail.com www.ca.lp.org Legis I ative Term Limits. Loca I Voter Petitions. Initiative Constitutional Amendment. Summary Allows voters to submit petition signatures to permit their incumbent legislator to run for re-election(s) and serve maximum of four years beyond terms provided for in Constitution if majority of voters approves. Fiscal Impact: Unknown county costs potentially up to several hundreds of thousands of dollars biennially statewide to verily voter petition signatures; little or no state cost to track the eligibility of re-election candidates. ’ What Your Vote Means Yes A YES vote on this measure means: Local registered voters could petition the Secretary of State to permit their incumbent Senator or Assembly Member, who is otherwise ineligible due to term limits, to run for reelection to serve up to an additional four years. Consequently, a Senator could serve a maximum of three four- year terms and an Assembly Member a maximum of five two- year terms. Arguments Pro Prop. 45 will not end term limits. It will keep term limits in place while giving local voters the option of extending the term of their own lawmaker--one time only for four years. Proposition 45 gives back control to local voters. Prop. 45 is supported by respected organizations like the League of Women Voters of California. No A NO vote on this measure means: Local registered voters could not petition the Secretary of State to permit an incumbent Member of the Senate or Assembly, who is otherwise ineligible due to term limits, to run for reelection. Current term limits would remain in place, restricting Senators to two four-year terms and Assembly Members to three two-year terms. Con Prop. 45 would 1~11 term limits in California, and keep entrenched career politicians in office in Sacramento. Prop. 45 is funded with millions of dollars from career politicians, lobbyists, and powerful special interests like TOBACCO COMPANIES, TRIAL LAWYERS, AND ENERGY GIANTS. Vote NO on Prop. 45, and STOP THE POLITICIANS. For Additional Information Against Joe Camicia 555 Capitol Mall, Suite 1425 Sacramento, CA 95814 916-442-2952 Fax: 916-442-1280 www.petitionrigh ts.org mail@petitionrights.org Todd McCauley No on 45! Stop the Politicians 151 N. Sunrise Ave., Suite 901 Roseville, CA 95661 916-786-9400 Info@S topthepo]iticians.org www.Stopthepoliticians.org * IV *Ballot Measure Summary