Ballot Recommendations

The Times endorses selectively, on a case-by-case basis. Here are recommendations in state and local races in Tuesday’s elections.

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STATE

Proposition 40. YES. The state has gained ground toward preserving its natural treasures, thanks to previous bond issues. This $2.6-billion bond measure would continue the improvement, dedicating funds for urban parks and other purposes. The state would remain within its informal limits on bond debt.

Proposition 41. YES. This $200-million bond issue would help counties buy new voting machines and retire Florida-style punch-card models before the state has a Florida-style voting mishap.

Proposition 42. NO. This would designate state gasoline sales tax money for transportation projects, permanently. This is poor policy and lazy lawmaking, shoving a decision unnecessarily onto voters. The Legislature can renew the current earmarking law, which expires in 2008, if economic conditions dictate.

Proposition 43. YES. Writes into the state Constitution a guarantee that a vote cast is a vote counted. The high-toned rhetoric would underpin laws extending recount periods.

Proposition 44. NO. Since 1922, voters have had to approve changes in state oversight of the chiropractic profession. Enough. Instead of passing this measure, whatever its modest merits, voters should demand that the Legislature craft another proposition removing this from voters’ responsibilities.

Proposition 45. YES. The current strict term limits in the Legislature shuttle members in and out, treating political deadbeats and the best and brightest alike. Leadership has suffered badly. This measure would allow legislators to run again by collecting signatures equal to 20% of votes cast in the last election. It could help restore stability and a little expertise to lawmaking in Sacramento.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction. State Sen. Jack O’Connell. A former high school teacher who has specialized in education during nearly two decades as an assemblyman and senator, O’Connell has the right portfolio and accomplishments for the job.

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LOS ANGELES CITY

Proposition Q. YES. This $600-million bond measure would finance two new police stations, repair existing police and fire stations and build facilities for better support of 911 emergency calls. The city’s history on similar projects is not great. But new oversight mechanisms bring accountability to this measure.

Charter Amendment R. YES. Changes the dates of odd-year city elections to avoid holidays and put more time between the primaries and general elections, and between general elections and the taking of office July 1. The extra time after general elections would allow for more thorough recounts, if necessary.

City Council District 2. Wendy Greuel. She has good local political experience working for former Mayor Tom Bradley and expertise on civic issues. Her opponent, state Assemblyman Tony Cardenas, is damaged by his deep involvement with some of the nastiest attack ads of the last mayoral race.

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LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Sheriff. Lee Baca. Incumbent Baca has made steady progress in addressing the department’s problems, including its handling of mentally ill inmates, and has taken a tough line on officer misconduct while also tackling crime hot spots. He has weak areas, particularly in handling his budget, but has earned reelection.

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SUPERVISORS AND ASSESSOR

District 1. Gloria Molina. Incumbent Molina isn’t much of a compromiser, but she is a solid and imaginative community-builder.

District 3. Zev Yaroslavsky. Running unopposed for his third term, Yaroslavsky is a budget expert and an adept pragmatist.

Assessor. Rick Auerbach. Elected in 2000 to fill an unfinished term, he has modernized his office and made it friendlier to constituents.

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BALLOT MEASURES

Charter Amendment A. NO. This measure, limiting county officials to 12 years in office, is more generous than the damaging state limits, but officials would still be lame ducks after eight years, and limits remove voter choice.

Charter Amendment B. NO. Similar to Amendment A, except that it would apply term limits only to the five county supervisors.

Charter Amendment C. YES. This charter amendment would help the sheriff strengthen the management structure of the department.

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SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES

Office No. 2. Hank Goldberg. A 15-year deputy district attorney who has handled a wide range of prosecutions, he has experience training new prosecutors and has written and lectured extensively.

Office No. 39. Richard Naranjo. A political newcomer, Naranjo is a deputy district attorney with business experience, the best choice in a fairly weak field.

Office No. 40. Superior Court Judge Floyd Baxter. He deserves reelection, especially against an opponent rated “not qualified” by the County Bar Assn.

Office No. 53. Lauren Weis. A 23-year prosecutor, she has improved the way local law enforcement handles sexual assault cases.

Office No. 67. Paul Bacigalupo. The supervising judge for the state bar, he has a strong background in civil law and a “well-qualified” rating from the bar.

Office No. 90. Superior Court Judge Robert Simpson. The bar association rated Simpson highly, and his previous years in civil practice are valuable. He deserves reelection.

Office No. 100. Richard Walmark. A deputy district attorney for 16 years, he has earned the bar’s “well-qualified” rating, unlike his challengers for this open seat.

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For the full texts of Times election recommendations, go to latimes.com/recommend and click on the headlines of the summaries.