LWV recommends, March 2004

Statewide

THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS RECOMMENDS…



 YES ON PROPOSITION 55      STATEWIDE SCHOOL BONDS

Support Proposition 55–Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2004.

This $12.3 billion bond measure is the second phase of a school construction and repair plan to meet expanding state needs. It includes $10 billion for K-12 school facilities, with
about half for new construction and a quarter each for modernization and
critically overcrowded schools. $2.3 billion will go to community colleges and
the CSU and UC.

The state treasurer confirms that in hard economic times, we should continue long-term investment in
education facilities. Prop. 55 will provide state matching funds for locally
approved school bonds. It will create hundreds of thousands of new jobs and
stimulate the local economy, while holding to strict accountability standards.
California’s total school population is projected to increase by one million in
the next decade; higher education expects 700,000 additional students. Prop. 55
will provide our kids the safe, clean learning environment essential to
improving student achievement. 


 YES ON PROPOSITION 56     BUDGET ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

Support Proposition 56 for real budget reform that holds our legislators accountable.

This constitutional amendment would require legislators to
pass the state budget on time. It holds legislators accountable; if they don’t
pass the budget on time, they face real consequences. They would have to stay in
session and work only on the budget. They would permanently forfeit their salary
and their expenses for every day after the deadline until the budget was passed.
Voters could learn how legislators voted on the budget from an easy-to-use
website The ballot pamphlet would contain a summary of how the state’s money is
spent.

Prop. 56 would end partisan gridlock by reducing the vote
required to pass the state budget and related bills, including tax measures,
from two-thirds to 55 percent. Only two other states require a two-thirds vote
to pass a budget. This high threshold has given a handful of California
legislators the power to demand concessions, such as spending on projects in
their districts or tax breaks for special interests, to get their support for a
budget. Under Prop. 56, the state would build up a “rainy day” reserve fund when
revenues are greater than needed to fund existing services and use the fund to
maintain service levels in bad times. Late, irresponsible budgets hurt all the
people of California. Proposition 56 will bring real reform of the budget
process now.

  © Copyright. League of Women Voters of California.



 In Alameda County

THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS RECOMMENDS…


 Yes on County Measure A     Essential Health Care Tax


Support Measure A to save essential health care services for all residents of Alameda County.

Measure A would relieve the fiscal
crisis in Alameda County health services by adding 1/2 cent to the tax rate for
retail transactions and use. A Citizen Oversight Committee would review and
evaluate the spending of money raised by this measure. The tax would end in 15
years. The County provides health care through the Health Care Services Agency
and the Medical Center, including Highland and Fairmont Hospitals and the John
George Psychiatric Pavilion. The services are funded by a combination of funds;
many Federal, State funds require local matches. All sources are being cut
severely. The County system is in deficit and has already closed some services.
At the same time, the number of uninsured patients is growing rapidly.

The need for funding is urgent. This
measure would ensure that everyone who is in an accident or is injured will
still be able to get emergency and trauma treatment. This funding is needed so
that clinics serving low-income children and families will stay open; trauma,
emergency and mental health services will not be cut further. Maintaining
primary and preventive services is cost-effective; it saves the higher cost of
treating patients when they become critically ill. Measure A is a frugal plan to
address the most essential health care needs throughout the County. Citizen
oversight will ensure the money is well spent.


 YES ON REGIONAL MEASURE 2
REGIONAL TRAFFIC RELIEF PLAN


Support an increase of $1 in bridge tolls on
seven state-owned bridges to pay for transportation improvements and transit
operations.

These funds are necessary to
accommodate an estimated 50% increase in trips in the bridge corridors
(1998-2025). Raising transportation money through bridge tolls, improving
transit connections and connecting HOV lanes will encourage use of transit and
carpools, reducing congestion and air pollution at the bridges. The measure
promotes improved connections between transit systems for cost-effectiveness. It
will generate a regional rail master plan to integrate passenger rail services
that the region now lacks.

Regional measure 2 will
strengthen the essential BART trans-bay tube to withstand earthquakes. It will
provide additional ferry capacity for flexible emergency service. Operating
costs for new transit systems are included to insure that we can operate what we
build. Measure 2 encourages long-term regional transportation planning by
creating a secure regional funding source for regional transit connections.

 


 In Berkeley

THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS RECOMMENDS…


 YES ON BERKELEY MEASURE I    INSTANT RUNOFF VOTING


Support Measure I to enable Berkeley to save money and expand democracy.

Berkeley has spent more than $1 million
on runoff elections since 1986. Replacing this system will save money and be
more democratic. The runoff election takes place instantly, without the need for
a costly later runoff election. With instant runoff voting, all voters can
participate in selecting the winner, by ranking their second, third and further
choices.

If your first choice doesn’t win, your
second choice will be counted. Thus, with IRV, you don’t need to be afraid that
you are throwing your vote away and helping a candidate you dislike. Instant
runoff voting enables you to vote for your preferred candidate as your first
choice. It permits you to rank a front runner you could live with as your second
choice.

Measure I authorizes the City Council to
implement Instant Runoff Voting only when IRV will cost no more than the current
election system and when all legal and technical barriers have been eliminated,
so that Berkeley elections could continue to be combined with state and county
elections.