20 Questions, 40 Points of View

Californians will decide on 20 ballot initiatives Tuesday.

Prop. A1

Would allow Indian tribes to operate slot machines and card games such as twenty-one on their lands in California. Would also allow tribal-state gaming compacts already approved by the state to go into effect if approved by the federal government.

For: Numerous Indian tribes, including the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, Rumsey Indian Rancheria and Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians.

Against: Assemblyman Bruce Thompson (R-Fallbrook), former Lt. Gov. Leo McCarthy.

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Prop. 12

Would provide $2.1 billion in bond money to repair and expand local and state parks and preserve open space and wildlife habitat. The state would pay $3.6 billion over 25 years to retire the bonds.

For: Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa (D-Los Angeles), National Audubon Society--California, California Chamber of Commerce, League of Women Voters.

Against: State Sen. Ray Haynes (R-Riverside), Assemblyman Brett Granlund (R-Yucaipa), Lewis K. Uhler, president, National Tax Limitation Committee.

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Prop. 13

Would provide $1.97 billion in bond money to improve drinking water, flood protection, water supply reliability. The state would pay $3.4 billion over 25 years to retire the bonds.

For: Gov. Gray Davis, California Chamber of Commerce, Nature Conservancy, Assn. of California Water Agencies, Agricultural Council of California, California Business Roundtable.

Against: Gail K. Lightfoot, former chairwoman, Libertarian Party of California; Calaveras County Supervisor Thomas Tryon; Ted Brown, investigator and insurance adjuster.

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Prop. 14

Would provide $350 million in bond money to build and renovate public libraries, with the goal of expanding access and improving reading and literacy throughout California. The state would pay $600 million over 25 years to retire the bond.

For: Christine M. Jurich, Californians for Literacy and Community Libraries; state Sen. Richard Rainey (R-Walnut Creek), chairman, Senate Local Government Committee; state Sen. Dede Alpert (D-Coronado), chairwoman, Senate Education Committee.

Against: State Sen. Ray Haynes (R-Riverside); Lewis K. Uhler, president, National Tax-Limitation Committee; Carl McGill, chairman, Black Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles County.

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Prop. 15

Would provide $220 million to build and remodel forensic laboratories. Creates Forensic Laboratories Authority to consider and approve applications for construction and renovation.

For: Gov. Gray Davis; Assemblyman Bob Hertzberg (D-Sherman Oaks); Daniel A. Terry, president, California Professional Firefighters.

Against: Ted Brown, Libertarian Party of California; Gail K. Lightfoot, former chairwoman, Libertarian Party of California; Thomas Tryon, Calaveras County supervisor.

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Prop. 16

Would provide $50 million to the Department of Veterans Affairs to fund construction and renovation of veterans homes in California. Would also complete renovation of a veterans home at Yountville. Any remaining funds would go toward a home for veterans with dementia disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.

For: Gov. Gray Davis, U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), state Sen. Joe Dunn (D-Santa Ana), Friends of California Veterans.

Against: Ted Brown, Libertarian Party of California; Gail K. Lightfoot, former chairwoman, Libertarian Party of California; Larry Hines, U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

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Prop. 17

Would change constitutional ban on private lotteries to permit raffles by nonprofit organizations. Requires that at least 90% of a raffle’s gross receipts go directly to charitable purposes in California, but permits the percentage to be later amended by a two-thirds vote of the Legislature without voter approval.

For: Kelly Norton, McNally Temple Associates Inc., Sacramento; state Sen. Bruce McPherson (R-Santa Cruz); state Sen. Jackie Speier (D-Daly City).

Against: State Sen. Richard Mountjoy (R-Arcadia); Art Croney, executive director, Committee on Moral Concerns.

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Prop. 18

Would add intentional murders committed in connection with kidnappings or arson to the list of special circumstances warranting the death penalty or life without parole. Would also add to the list murders committed by “means of” rather than “while” lying in wait.

For: Former Gov. George Deukmejian; Ventura County Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury; Mara Kopp, retired social worker.

Against: Mike Farrell, president, MJ&E; Productions Inc.; state Sen. John Vasconcellos (D-Santa Clara); Wilson Riles Jr., executive director, American Friends Service Committee of Northern America.

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Prop. 19

Would make the second-degree murder of a peace officer employed by the Bay Area Rapid Transit system or California State University punishable by life imprisonment without possibility of parole where aggravating circumstances are present.

For: State Sen. Richard Rainey (R-Walnut Creek); Thomas M. Blalock, vice president, BART Board of Directors.

Against: Ted Brown, Libertarian Party of California; Gail K. Lightfoot, former chairwoman, Libertarian Party of California; Larry Hines, legal secretary.

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Prop. 20

Would alter government rule that requires at least 34% of annual state lottery revenues to be directed to benefit public education. Would provide half of any increase beyond that 34% to be directed for purchase of instructional materials for schools and community college districts.

For: Assemblyman Tony Cardenas (D-Sylmar), Schoolbooks for the Children; Assemblywoman Nell Soto (D-Pomona); Manny Hernandez, trustee, Sacramento City Unified School District.

Against: Assemblyman George House (R-Hughson); Assemblyman Steve Baldwin (R-El Cajon); Wayne Johnson, president, California Teachers Assn.

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Prop. 21

Would allow prosecutors to decide that juveniles 14 and older charged with murder or sex crimes should be tried as adults. Would also increase punishment for gang-related felonies, allow the death penalty in gang-related murders and allow life sentences for home invasion robberies, carjackings and witness intimidation.

For: Gov. Gray Davis, former Gov. Pete Wilson, California District Attorneys Assn., California Police Chiefs Assn., California Peace Officers Assn.

Against: Los Angeles Police Chief Bernard C. Parks; Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors; Cardinal Roger M. Mahony; California PTA; Gail Dryden, president, League of Women Voters of California; Raymond Wingerd, president, Chief Probation Officers of California.

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Prop. 22

Would bar California from recognizing any marriages except those between a man and a woman. California law currently defines marriage as the civil contract between a man and woman, but generally recognizes the validity of other legal marriages that took place outside the state.

For: State Sen. William “Pete” Knight (R-Palmdale); Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Gary Beckner, executive director, Assn. of American Educators; Thomas Fong, president, Chinese Family Alliance.

Against: Gov. Gray Davis, League of Women Voters of California, California Teachers Assn., Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Sen. Barbara Boxer, Vice President Al Gore, former New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradley.

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Prop. 23

Would give California voters the option of choosing “none of the above” on major state and federal elections. The votes would be tallied and counted in official election results, but would not help determine winners.

For: Amanda Gutwirth, social worker; David James, small-business owner; Susan Howell, waitress; Alan F. Shugart, businessman.

Against: Green Party of California, Berkeley City Council member Dona Spring, Davis Mayor Julie Partansky.

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Prop. 25

Would restructure campaign finance laws to require disclosure of donations of $1,000 or more within 24 hours. Would restrict time periods when candidates can raise money. Would limit contributions, ban corporate donations, forbid the transfer of money from one campaign to another, establish voluntary spending limits and provide some free TV and radio air time for candidates who agree to abide by them.

For: Software entrepreneur Ron Unz, former acting Secretary of State Tony Miller, California Common Cause.

Against: California Taxpayers’ Assn., League of Women Voters of California, California Chamber of Commerce.

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Prop. 26

Would lower from two-thirds to a simple majority the vote required to pass local school construction, repair and technology bonds and would make the bond money available to charter schools. That change could increase local property taxes above the 1% limit set by Proposition 13. Would require a complete list of projects to be on the ballot; would require two annual state audits instead of one; would prohibit money from going to salaries.

For: California Teachers Assn., California Business Roundtable and charter school supporters, including Silicon Valley entrepreneur Reed Hastings.

Against: Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn.

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Prop. 27

Would permit congressional candidates to voluntarily sign nonbinding declarations to serve no more than three terms in the House of Representatives or two terms in the United States Senate. Requires placement of that information on ballots and state-sponsored voter education materials when authorized by candidates.

For: California Term Limit Committee; Lewis K. Uhler, president, National Tax Limitation Committee.

Against: Mark Whisler, president, Sacramento City Taxpayers’ Rights League.

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Prop. 28

Would repeal Proposition 10, a 50-cents-per-pack cigarette tax approved by voters in November 1998, which set aside the money--about $670 million a year--for childhood development programs. Would also require that any future tobacco taxes be approved by the Legislature.

For: Ned Roscoe, president of Cigarettes Cheaper!, a nationwide chain of discount tobacco stores.

Against: Rob Reiner, the force behind Proposition 10; American Lung Assn.; California Federation of Teachers.

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Prop. 29

Would affirm a 1998 law that authorized certain tribal-state gambling compacts, provided procedures for future negotiations with tribes and designate the governor to negotiate with tribes.

For: Harvey N. Chinn, California director, National Coalition Against Gambling Expansion; Art Croney, executive director, Committee on Moral Concerns; Cheryl Schmit, co-chairwoman, Stand Up for California.

Against: Richard M. Milanovich, tribal chairman, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians; Gene Raper of Russo, Marsh & Raper.

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Prop. 30

Would affirm 1999 legislation allowing injured accident victims to sue the at-fault party’s insurance company for failing to act in good faith to settle a claim. The lawsuit can only be filed if the insurer has rejected a settlement demand and the victim has sued the at-fault driver and obtained a judgment that exceeds the amount demanded from the insurance company. Provides for binding arbitration of claims under $50,000.

For: Consumer Attorneys of California, state Sen. Martha Escutia (D-Whittier), American Assn. of Retired Persons, consumer advocate Ralph Nader, Consumer Federation of California.

Against: State Farm Insurance Group, Farmers Insurance Group of Cos., Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, California Chamber of Commerce.

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Prop. 31

Would become law only if Proposition 30 passes. Provides that only individuals can sue insurance companies for unfair claims practices, and they cannot claim damages for emotional distress resulting from economic losses.

For: Gov. Gray Davis, Consumer Attorneys of California, California Nurses Assn.

Against: National Assn. of Mutual Insurance Companies, Civil Justice Assn. of California, Crime Victims United of California.

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Sources: California secretary of state; California Voter Foundation, Sacramento; California Joural.