Consumer Federation of California's November 2008 Ballot Proposition Recommendations
One of the most important elections in our state's and country's history is rapidly approaching. This November 4th, we urge ALL Californians to go to the polls and exercise their democratic right to vote. The Consumer Federation of California has taken a position on six propositions placed on this year's ballot. We recommend the following:
NO on Prop 10 (Alternative vehicle and energy bonds) - A fossil fuel corporation owned by Texas oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens spent over three million dollars to put Proposition 10 on the ballot. That corporation will reap a bonanza if Prop 10 passes. Every major environmental group in the state - The Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, California League of Conservation Voters, Union of Concerned Scientists, and Environment California - opposes Prop 10 because it would do nothing to clean the air or reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
All Prop 10 would do is distort the marketplace in favor of a fossil fuel - natural gas - at the expense of the clean technologies of the future like hybrid plug ins and electric vehicles. Meanwhile, California taxpayers will be stuck subsidizing big trucking companies at a cost of $335 million per year. California faces a $15 billion budget deficit crisis. Prop 10's raid on the state's coffers will mean cuts to our schools, our public safety and health programs. Go to our website for more information: www.stopprop10.com
NO on Prop 7 (Increased renewable energy requirements for electric utilities) - It's no accident that every major environmental group in the state that has taken a position on 7 opposes it. Prop 7 is another example of a poorly written ballot measure bankrolled by a wealthy individual that could actually hurt the cause it is meant to help. At a time California faces a $15 billion budget crisis and a national economy in the depths of a recession, it's no time to raise electricity rates in hopes that a loophole filled energy scheme will work.
YES on Prop 1 A (High speed rail bonds) - Authorizes $10 billion in bonds to begin construction of a 220 MPH train to connect San Francisco to Los Angeles. Trains will be powered by renewable electricity and create an estimated 160,000 jobs over the next 10 years. Prop 1 is a historic opportunity for Californians to invest in a cleaner and more efficient transportation future that will pay for itself many times over.
YES on Prop 3 (Children's hospital bonds) - Children's hospitals provide an invaluable service to communities across our state but simply don't have enough room to handle the growing number of seriously ill and injured children sent to them every day. Prop 3 funds will help children's hospitals build more bed capacity and purchase essential equipment to ensure all children get the care they need.
YES on Prop 5 (Drug diversion and alternatives to incarceration) - California's failure to develop a comprehensive public health approach to address drug abuse, addiction and mental illness threatens the health of millions of state residents, crowds our jails with non-violent criminals, and costs taxpayers billions. Prop 5 would mean less overcrowding, better opportunities for rehabilitation, and decreased transmission of disease, while saving the state over $1 billion a year.
YES on Prop 12 (Veteran housing bonds) - Over the past 85 years, the Cal-Vet Home Loan Program has helped over 420,000 veterans. Prop 12 will enable more veterans to buy homes in California and help the economy at the same time, all with no direct cost to the state's taxpayers.
