Berkeley City Measures

Measure H: NO

Measure H would authorize public financing of city elections for candidates who agree to spending limits. It would not go into effect until the city is in good fiscal standing.

While public financing of city elections would level the playing field and make campaigning about the issues rather than fund raising, we should not pass a symbolic measure.

Vote No on Measure H.

Measure I: YES

Measure I would align the mayoral and presidential election cycle, making it more likely that Berkeley citizens will vote in the mayoral election. The next mayoral term, starting in 2006, would be only a two-year term; the mayoral and presidential elections will occur in 2008.

This measure would increase voter participation in local elections and has little negative repercussions for voters.

Vote Yes on Measure I.

Measure J: NO

Measure J would increase the utility tax rate by 1.5 percent for a four-year period to add to the city's general fund. The funds could be used at the city government's discretion.

Utilities in the city are already high, the money has no specific purpose, and the city's already high taxes show it needs to cut spending, rather than tax its residents further.

Vote No on Measure J.

Measure K: YES

Measure K, which needs a two-thirds majority to pass, would increase the property transfer tax by 0.5 percent for owners of property worth more than $600,000, and by 1 percent on property worth more than $1 million. This one-time tax supports youth services and safety programs that protect and provide for students, restoring cut after-school and enrichment programs.

Vote Yes on Measure K.

Measure L: NO

Measure L, in need of a two-thirds majority, would increase the library parcel tax by two or three cents on various properties. It would allow libraries to restore recently cut positions, hours and services, brining Berkeley's libraries up to a better level of functioning.

However, the library tax has increased by 45 percent in the past five years, the public library does not directly benefit UC Berkeley students, and the library has yet to learn to control its costs.

Vote No on Measure L.

Measure M: YES

Measure M needs a two-thirds majority to increase the existing paramedic services special tax rate by 1.5 cents per square foot on property improvements. The money will put trained paramedics on fire engines at all Berkeley stations.

Emergency services are vital everywhere, but especially in an urban area such as Berkeley. If passed, this tax will save lives in our city.

Vote Yes on Measure M.

Measure N: YES

Measure N is not a new tax but simply asks Berkeley voters to authorize the city's spending of already-collected money from previously passed taxes. The money funds libraries, parks, emergency medical services and disabled services.

To revoke the revenue from the city when it has already been allocated would be ridiculous, costly and unnecessary.

Vote Yes on Measure N.

Measure O: YES

Measure O would change the manner in which legal rent increases are calculated. It sets a standard Annual General Adjustment that both tenants and property owners agree on, eliminating costly litigation, consultation and lawsuits occurring each year over this issue. Tenants and landowners will benefit.

Vote Yes on Measure O.

Measure P: YES

Measure P makes adjustments to Berkeley's rent control and eviction laws, including lifting extreme penalties on property owners for minor issues and removing a landlord's ability to evict a tenant merely because the tenant replaces a roommate.

P protects the rights of both tenants and owners, making the system more user-friendly. It will allow students to change roommates or subletters without risking eviction for doing so.

Vote Yes on Measure P.

Measure Q: NO

Measure Q would make enforcement of prostitution laws the lowest priority in Berkeley and work to repeal state prostitution laws.

While the desire to reduce crimes against prostitutes and empower oppressed women is laudable, we need to find a better way to reduce prostitution and aid women than to simply let the problem slide. This measure does not work to reduce street prostitution.

Vote No on Measure Q.

Measure R: NO

Measure R would make it mandatory for the city to issue permits to medical marijuana dispensaries regardless of zoning, establish a Peer Review Committee to certify new dispensaries, and remove limits on legal marijuana possession.

The measure does not address security issues surrounding dispensaries or their need for regulation by the city.

Vote No on Measure R.

Measure S: NO

Measure S would create a "Public Tree Act" ordinance in Berkeley which would, among other things, prohibit the alteration of public trees and promote new plantings.

Berkeley is already very tree-friendly and needs no new bureaucracy to duplicate existing tree-planting efforts.

Vote No on Measure S.

Special District Measures

Measure B: YES

Measure B, which needs two-thirds of the vote to pass, would levy a two-year tax on various buildings, in order to reduce class size and expand course offerings, school libraries, music programs, teacher training and parent outreach services in Berkeley schools.

The measure will greatly improve the school district's quality of education in the face of state budget cuts.

Vote Yes on Measure B.

Measure AA: YES

Measure AA is a BART bond measure that seeks to issue up to $980 million in bonds to strengthen, seismically retrofit, and improve BART facilities.

The improved safety measures could save lives and rebuilding costs in the event of a natural disaster. Retrofitting BART tunnels and stations should be a top priority.

Vote Yes on Measure AA.

Measure CC: YES

Measure CC would create a 15-year tax wherein house-dwellers would pay $12 per year and those in multi-unit housing wo

uld pay $8.28. It would fund public access, safety and maintenance of district parks and trails, including Tilden Park.

Maintaining our parks is an essential investment in our community and natural history.

Vote Yes on Measure CC.

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