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California will likely not repeal gas tax, Costa-Hawkins

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NOVEMBER 07, 2018

Californians voted on 11 propositions this election. As of press time at 5:24 a.m., 92.9 percent of precincts have reported. Here are the results:

Prop. 1 is a tight race but is projected to pass at 54.1 percent “yes” votes. 

Proposition 1 authorizes $4 billion in general obligation bonds to fund affordable housing for veterans, working families, seniors, people with disabilities and homeless residents. The measure does not increase taxes, but California would have to repay about $170 million annually for the next 35 years.

The proposition allocates money to build affordable housing, as well as funding for loans for veterans to allow them to purchase homes.

Prop. 2 is projected to pass at 61.2 percent “yes” votes.

Proposition 2 will fund the No Place Like Home program, which helps fund housing for California residents who have mental illnesses and are homeless.

The funding for Prop. 2 is secured by the 2004 passage of Proposition 63, the Mental Health Services Act. Prop. 63 placed a 1 percent tax on earnings above $1 million, allocating this money for mental health services. Like Prop. 1, it won’t raise taxes.

Many doctors, law enforcement groups, mental health care providers and homeless services providers supported Prop. 2, saying that supportive housing is an effective solution to homelessness.

Opponents of Prop. 2 argued that it takes money away from other mental health programs — which voters supported through voting for Prop. 63 — to just focus on housing.

Prop. 3 is a tight race but is projected to fail at 52.4 percent “no” votes.

Proposition 3 would have funded $8.877 billion in general obligation bonds to fund water and environmental projects. The money would have been split among many water-related goals, with a large chunk going toward protection of wetlands and watershed lands and improving water quality and supply.

Prop. 4 is projected to pass at 60.6 percent “yes” votes.

Proposition 4 allocated $1.5 billion to be used for construction and renovation in children’s hospitals. The funding would be used for infrastructure at hospitals, as well as providing new technology and advancing research.

Those opposed to Prop. 4 argued that it doesn’t take into account the “bigger picture” of improving health care outcomes for all Californians. The bonds must be paid back with interest, increasing state debt.

Prop. 5 is projected to fail at 58.2 percent “no” votes.

Proposition 5 would have allowed homeowners who are over 55 or have severe disabilities to transfer their existing property tax to a new, more expensive home.

The proposition would have allowed those living in homes that are too big or inaccessible to move to new homes without large changes in property tax. Proponents claim that this would have removed the “moving penalty” for older residents, freeing up homes for younger families to move in.

Opponents say it is essentially a tax break for the already rich and that it would have reduced funding for public schools, fire departments and other social services funded by property taxes. They also noted it lacked provisions to build any new housing.

Prop. 6 is projected to fail at 55.3 percent “no” votes.

The gas tax was passed last year and has been controversial ever since. Prop. 6 sought to repeal it, but the initiative is projected to fail.

The 12 percent increase in tax is set to bring in about $5.1 billion this year — money that funds road repairs and transportation programs. Its repeal would have meant immediately lower gas prices, as well as a requirement for voter approval on all future gas and vehicle taxes.

The argument against Prop. 6 says it would have jeopardized bridge and road safety, increased congestion and halted transportation projects.

Prop. 7 is projected to pass at 59.9 percent “yes” votes. 

The projected passage of Prop. 7 means permanent daylight saving time — with some conditions. The federal government would need to pass permanent daylight saving time first, and then the state Legislature would still need to pass a two-thirds vote.

Proponents of the proposition argue that the current biannual switches to and from daylight saving time are hazardous to the health and productivity of schoolchildren, the workforce and seniors.

“Those of you who like to wake up with the sun will wake up in the dark,” the argument against Prop. 7 said.

Prop. 8 is projected to fail at 61.6 percent “no” votes.

Proposition 8 aimed to regulate kidney dialysis clinics, prohibiting clinics from discriminating based on payment method. It would have also required clinics to pay rebates back for dialysis treatment based on profit.

The Yes on 8 campaign argued that dialysis corporations make billions of dollars in profits and overcharge dialysis patients.

Opponents of Prop. 8, including the American Nurses Association California and the California Medical Association, argued that it would have inadvertently limited access to care by causing dialysis clinics to close.

Prop. 9

Proposition 9, which would split California into three states, was removed from the ballot in July by the Supreme Court.

Prop. 10 is projected to fail at 61.7 percent “no” votes. 

Highly contested Proposition 10 aimed to repeal the 1995 CostaHawkins Rental Housing Act, allowing cities and counties to decide their own rent control laws.

The Yes on Prop 10 campaign was endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the California Democratic Party.

“There is a real consensus that the housing crisis is at a fever pitch in California,” said Ged Kenslea, a spokesperson for AIDS Healthcare Foundation who has worked on the Yes campaign. “We can’t just leave this to the private sector. We can’t just leave this to billionaire developers.”

Opponents argue that it would put bureaucrats in charge of housing and drive up the cost of existing housing.

Prop. 11 is projected to pass at 60.5 percent “yes” votes. 

Proposition 11 will require private-sector ambulance workers to stay on call through breaks. The proposition also gives emergency responders additional disaster training and mental health care coverage.

“It is essential that EMTs and paramedics are able to respond quickly and deliver lifesaving medical care during mass casualty events, like active shooter incidents and natural disasters,” the official argument reads.

No argument against Prop. 11 was submitted, according to the Official Voter Information Guide.

Prop. 12 is projected to pass at 61 percent “yes” votes. 

Egg-laying hens, breeding pigs and calves raised for veal will be mandated to have more space, following new standards for confinement set by Prop 12. Farms that do not comply will not be allowed to sell eggs or meat from the animals they house.

According to opponents of Prop. 12, it is a “rotten egg” initiative on the official argument. It was opposed by organizations such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, which says the proposition will perpetuate “giving hens a minuscule amount of space for years to come,” according to the organization’s website.

Contact Madeleine Gregory at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter at @mgregory_dc.
LAST UPDATED

NOVEMBER 07, 2018


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