election research
EDIT: as of now, i still don't really know what to vote for 1A and 1E...
the rest; 1B YES, 1C NO, 1D YES, 83 NO, 84 YES (why is there 1E when this is here?), 85 HELL NO, 86 NO, 87 YES, 88 YES, 89 YES, 90 NO
here are places that i've been looking at;
i found a generally informative site that was more interested in supplying facts from both sides than pushing you to vote in their interest: http://www.californiaconnected.org/tv/archives/category/special-story/election-november-2006/
my sister directed me towards:
http://www.cagreens.org/media/Election2006.shtml#_e06_positions
the voter info guide directed me here:
http://www.plan4ourfuture.org/ (obviously demo)
http://protecttaxpayers.com/ (obviously repub)
moveon.org directed me to these;
http://www.noon85.com/
http://www.yesprop86.com/
http://www.yeson87.com/
http://www.cleanmoneyelections.org/
http://www.noprop90.com/facts/
the election rydot style!
General Election - 2006
This year, I would like to recommend everyone visit Video Voter for quick summaries of all the measures-- including non-partisain For and Against statements. The site appears to be getting busy on this election eve, so you may need to reload some of the pages to get trouble-free video playback...
Macintosh Users: I recommend getting the Flip4Mac WMV Plug-In and using the "View In External Player" link on the Video Voter Page for best results!
Remember, polling places close at 8pm. If you need to find out your polling place, go here for Los Angeles County.
The following is based on my ballot for Culver City. Your ballot may differ.
GOVERNOR - Phil Angelides
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR - John Garamendi
Should Governor Arnold prevail, Garamendi should make for an interesting counter-point.
SECRETARY OF STATE - Debra Bowen
She favors public campaign financing and redistricting, spells her name without an 'h', and will also return my dad's phone calls...
CONTROLLER - Joe Chiang
TREASURER - Bill Lockyer
ATTORNEY GENERAL - Jerry Brown
My dad used to work for him, once upon a time!
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER - Steve Poizner
Yes, he's a Republican. Don't say I didn't do nothing for no Republicans.. (And Bustamante stinks.)
MEMBER STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION 4th District - Judy Chu
UNTED STATES SENATOR - Dianne Feinstein
UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE 33rd District - Diane E. Watson
I've been proud to witness her efforts in pushing for better transit on the West Side!
STATE SENATOR 26th District - Mark Ridley-Thomas
MEMBER OF THE STATE ASSEMBLY 47th District - Karen Bass
JUDICIAL - SUPREME COURT JUSTICE:
Joyce L. Kennard - YES
Carol A. Corrigan - YES
JUDICIAL - COURT OF APPEAL JUSTICE
Robert M. Mallano - YES
Frances Rothschild - YES
Roger W. Boren - YES
Victoria M. Chavez - YES
Patti S. Kitching - YES
Richard D. Aldrich - YES
Norman L. Epstein - YES
Thomas L. Willhite - YES
Nora M. Manella - YES
Steven Suzukawa - YES
Richard M. Mosk - YES
Sandy R. Kriegler - YES
Arthur Gilbert - YES
Denis M. Perluss - YES
Fred Woods - YES
Laurie D. Zelon - YES
Candace D. Cooper - YES
Madeleine Flier - YES
Why all yes? In California, after first being appointed to serve, Supreme and Appellate Court Justices are "affirmed" when their term expires. Unless they're doing something completely off the handle, it's appropriate for us to ask them to continue in their service.
JUDICIAL - JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT
Office No. 8 - Deborah L. Sanchez
Office No. 18 - Daviann L. Mitchell
Office No. 102 - Hayden Zacky
Office No. 104 - Bobbi Tillmon
Office No. 144 - Janis Levart Barquist
The Superior Court Judges, on the other hand, are voted upon, election-style.
STATE MEASURES
1A Transportation Funding Protection - NO
This measure deals with how we control spending of the "sales tax" on gasoline. While I would prefer this funding to find its natural way to transportation projects, this proposition changes the constitution to take spending flexibility away from government in a very poor way.
1B Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006 - YES
Lofty title aside, this proposition would go a long way toward forwarding very important transportation projects in California. I highly recommend voting YES.
1C Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act of 2006 - YES
Funds construction of housing, primarily for low-income residents and transportation-centric developments.
1D Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2006 - YES
Continues the important improvements to our states education infrastructure.
1E Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Bond - YES
Visions of Hurricane Katrina disasters aside, remember that if the Northern California levies fail, we're all going to have major drinking water problems down here, to say nothing of the economic disaster.
83 Sex Offenders. Sexually Violent Predators. Punishment, Residence Restrictions and Monitoring - NO
More like "scarlet letter" treatment for ex-cons who have served their time. Global Position System ankle bracelets for time served? This is too big brother for my taste.
84 Water Quality, Safety and Supply. Flood Control. Natural Resource Protection. Park Improvements. Bonds. - Yes
Heal the bay, and the streams, and other pretty things. Good water is always nice.
85 Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of a Minor's Pregnancy - NO
Camel's. Nose. Under. Tent. DO NOT ALLOW.
86 Tax On Cigarettes. - YES
I've been wrestling with myself about this one. On the one hand, it's a huge increase and I doubt it will really motivate new smokers (read: kids) to not smoke. On the other hand, it devotes a lot of money to emergency rooms and smoking cessation programs.
87 Alternative Energy. Research, Production, Incentives. Tax on California Oil Producers. - YES
As I explained to someone recently, we're at a point where it's clear that we're on our way to developing our oil-free energy economy. It's just a question of whether we want to get there quickly or slowly. Just ask yourselves, Who Killed the Electric Car?
88 Education Funding, Real Property Parcel Tax - YES
I may not like the idea of having kids of my own. I may not even LIKE your kids, in fact. But, I hate stupid kids even more. So, yeah. Vote Yes for fewer stupid kids!
89 Political Campaigns. Public Financing. Corporate Tax Increase. Campaign Contribution and Expenditure Limits - YES
It may not outlaw those annoying phone calls, but the more we can level the campaign field, the better off we all will end up.
90 Government Acquisition, Regulation of Private Property - NO
Poison Pill Alert: The second half of this initiative is trying to sneak in behind the good intentions of the first half. I don't like the idea of eminent domain being used to further the interests of private companies, but not at the price being asked by the second half of this measure: property owners can sue government for passing regulations that "harm" their land value (such as environmental laws or zoning changes).
DISTRICT - WEST BASIN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT
Division 4 - Paul Koretz
the rest; 1B YES, 1C NO, 1D YES, 83 NO, 84 YES (why is there 1E when this is here?), 85 HELL NO, 86 NO, 87 YES, 88 YES, 89 YES, 90 NO
here are places that i've been looking at;
i found a generally informative site that was more interested in supplying facts from both sides than pushing you to vote in their interest: http://www.californiaconnected.org/tv/archives/category/special-story/election-november-2006/
my sister directed me towards:
http://www.cagreens.org/media/Election2006.shtml#_e06_positions
the voter info guide directed me here:
http://www.plan4ourfuture.org/ (obviously demo)
http://protecttaxpayers.com/ (obviously repub)
moveon.org directed me to these;
http://www.noon85.com/
http://www.yesprop86.com/
http://www.yeson87.com/
http://www.cleanmoneyelections.org/
http://www.noprop90.com/facts/
the election rydot style!
General Election - 2006
This year, I would like to recommend everyone visit Video Voter for quick summaries of all the measures-- including non-partisain For and Against statements. The site appears to be getting busy on this election eve, so you may need to reload some of the pages to get trouble-free video playback...
Macintosh Users: I recommend getting the Flip4Mac WMV Plug-In and using the "View In External Player" link on the Video Voter Page for best results!
Remember, polling places close at 8pm. If you need to find out your polling place, go here for Los Angeles County.
The following is based on my ballot for Culver City. Your ballot may differ.
GOVERNOR - Phil Angelides
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR - John Garamendi
Should Governor Arnold prevail, Garamendi should make for an interesting counter-point.
SECRETARY OF STATE - Debra Bowen
She favors public campaign financing and redistricting, spells her name without an 'h', and will also return my dad's phone calls...
CONTROLLER - Joe Chiang
TREASURER - Bill Lockyer
ATTORNEY GENERAL - Jerry Brown
My dad used to work for him, once upon a time!
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER - Steve Poizner
Yes, he's a Republican. Don't say I didn't do nothing for no Republicans.. (And Bustamante stinks.)
MEMBER STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION 4th District - Judy Chu
UNTED STATES SENATOR - Dianne Feinstein
UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE 33rd District - Diane E. Watson
I've been proud to witness her efforts in pushing for better transit on the West Side!
STATE SENATOR 26th District - Mark Ridley-Thomas
MEMBER OF THE STATE ASSEMBLY 47th District - Karen Bass
JUDICIAL - SUPREME COURT JUSTICE:
Joyce L. Kennard - YES
Carol A. Corrigan - YES
JUDICIAL - COURT OF APPEAL JUSTICE
Robert M. Mallano - YES
Frances Rothschild - YES
Roger W. Boren - YES
Victoria M. Chavez - YES
Patti S. Kitching - YES
Richard D. Aldrich - YES
Norman L. Epstein - YES
Thomas L. Willhite - YES
Nora M. Manella - YES
Steven Suzukawa - YES
Richard M. Mosk - YES
Sandy R. Kriegler - YES
Arthur Gilbert - YES
Denis M. Perluss - YES
Fred Woods - YES
Laurie D. Zelon - YES
Candace D. Cooper - YES
Madeleine Flier - YES
Why all yes? In California, after first being appointed to serve, Supreme and Appellate Court Justices are "affirmed" when their term expires. Unless they're doing something completely off the handle, it's appropriate for us to ask them to continue in their service.
JUDICIAL - JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT
Office No. 8 - Deborah L. Sanchez
Office No. 18 - Daviann L. Mitchell
Office No. 102 - Hayden Zacky
Office No. 104 - Bobbi Tillmon
Office No. 144 - Janis Levart Barquist
The Superior Court Judges, on the other hand, are voted upon, election-style.
STATE MEASURES
1A Transportation Funding Protection - NO
This measure deals with how we control spending of the "sales tax" on gasoline. While I would prefer this funding to find its natural way to transportation projects, this proposition changes the constitution to take spending flexibility away from government in a very poor way.
1B Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006 - YES
Lofty title aside, this proposition would go a long way toward forwarding very important transportation projects in California. I highly recommend voting YES.
1C Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act of 2006 - YES
Funds construction of housing, primarily for low-income residents and transportation-centric developments.
1D Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2006 - YES
Continues the important improvements to our states education infrastructure.
1E Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Bond - YES
Visions of Hurricane Katrina disasters aside, remember that if the Northern California levies fail, we're all going to have major drinking water problems down here, to say nothing of the economic disaster.
83 Sex Offenders. Sexually Violent Predators. Punishment, Residence Restrictions and Monitoring - NO
More like "scarlet letter" treatment for ex-cons who have served their time. Global Position System ankle bracelets for time served? This is too big brother for my taste.
84 Water Quality, Safety and Supply. Flood Control. Natural Resource Protection. Park Improvements. Bonds. - Yes
Heal the bay, and the streams, and other pretty things. Good water is always nice.
85 Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of a Minor's Pregnancy - NO
Camel's. Nose. Under. Tent. DO NOT ALLOW.
86 Tax On Cigarettes. - YES
I've been wrestling with myself about this one. On the one hand, it's a huge increase and I doubt it will really motivate new smokers (read: kids) to not smoke. On the other hand, it devotes a lot of money to emergency rooms and smoking cessation programs.
87 Alternative Energy. Research, Production, Incentives. Tax on California Oil Producers. - YES
As I explained to someone recently, we're at a point where it's clear that we're on our way to developing our oil-free energy economy. It's just a question of whether we want to get there quickly or slowly. Just ask yourselves, Who Killed the Electric Car?
88 Education Funding, Real Property Parcel Tax - YES
I may not like the idea of having kids of my own. I may not even LIKE your kids, in fact. But, I hate stupid kids even more. So, yeah. Vote Yes for fewer stupid kids!
89 Political Campaigns. Public Financing. Corporate Tax Increase. Campaign Contribution and Expenditure Limits - YES
It may not outlaw those annoying phone calls, but the more we can level the campaign field, the better off we all will end up.
90 Government Acquisition, Regulation of Private Property - NO
Poison Pill Alert: The second half of this initiative is trying to sneak in behind the good intentions of the first half. I don't like the idea of eminent domain being used to further the interests of private companies, but not at the price being asked by the second half of this measure: property owners can sue government for passing regulations that "harm" their land value (such as environmental laws or zoning changes).
DISTRICT - WEST BASIN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT
Division 4 - Paul Koretz