Ballot Recommendations

The Times endorses selectively, on a case-by-case basis. Here are our recommendations in state and local races in the Nov. 5 general elections.

State Offices

Governor. Gray Davis. He deserves another term on the basis of his well-balanced record, despite his unseemly fund-raising. Davis’ GOP opponent, Bill Simon Jr., has repeatedly demonstrated that he is not up to the task of governing California.

Lieutenant Governor. Cruz Bustamante. He has done a credible job in his first term in a thankless post.

Attorney General. Bill Lockyer. He has been active as the chief law enforcement officer -- with abusive nursing homes among his targets -- and has earned another term.

Treasurer. Phil Angelides. This hard-working incumbent is the Energizer Bunny on everything from financing the state’s growing deficit to fighting corporate fraud.

Secretary of State. Kevin Shelley. He had a fine record as a state legislator, advocating improvements in state voting systems and a bond issue for new voting machines.

Controller. Steve Westly. He is an executive and economic development expert with the attitude and background to help get the state’s fiscal house in order.

Insurance Commissioner. John Garamendi. The state’s first elected insurance commissioner seeks office again. Garamendi is a well-known quantity for a troubled office that needs to regain consumers’ trust.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Jack O’Connell. A former high school teacher who specialized in education issues during his 20 years in the state Legislature, O’Connell has the right portfolio for the job.

State Ballot Measures

Proposition 46. YES. This $2.1-billion bond measure would finance housing ranging from shelter for the family on the streets to apartments for low-income seniors and down-payment help for first-time buyers. It’s a grab bag but answers real needs.

Proposition 47. YES. The state’s schools are still overcrowded and run-down, especially in cities. This $13-billion bond would match local school bonds and would not raise state debt to unsafe levels.

Proposition 48. YES. Merely conforms the state charter with consolidation of municipal and superior courts.

Proposition 49. NO. Funding after-school programs is fine, but this measure locks up its budget from the state general fund, depriving fundamental programs.

Proposition 50. YES. This $3.4-billion bond would help assure state water supplies and quality.

Proposition 51. NO. An ugly example of the misuse of the ballot initiative. Groups that financially backed this measure for 45 projects got their own included in it.

Proposition 52. NO. Election-day registration offers too many chances for fraud.

Local Measures

Measure A. YES. This $250-million bond would match private funds to improve safety at Los Angeles County cultural facilities. A good investment.

Measure B. YES. A small parcel tax, based on property size, to fund L.A. County emergency and trauma care. State and federal governments have shirked their responsibility for the county’s public health crisis, making this measure a last resort.

Measure F and Measure H. NO. Los Angeles is a powerful, remarkable city that won’t be better off if the San Fernando Valley and Hollywood secede.

Measure K. YES. The Los Angeles Unified School District has finally hired professionals who understand big projects. Add to this the district’s desperate need for more classrooms and this $3.3-billion bond is solidly worth voting for.

Judicial Endorsements

California Supreme Court

Vote yes to retain these incumbents.

Carlos R. Moreno

Marvin R. Baxter

Kathryn M. Werdegar

State Court of Appeal

Vote yes to retain these incumbents.

Robert M. Mallano

Miriam A. Vogel

Judith M. Ashmann

Kathryn Doi Todd

Joan Dempsey Klein

Gary Hastings

Paul A. Turner

Richard M. Mosk

Arthur Gilbert

Steven Z. Perren

Kenneth R. Yegan

Mildred L. Lillie

Dennis M. Perluss

Candace D. Cooper

Paul Boland

Laurence D. Rubin

Superior Court

These are contested elections, none involving incumbents. The candidates below were endorsed by The Times in the March primary and the recommendations stand.

Office No. 2. Hank Goldberg

Office No. 39. Richard Naranjo

Office No. 67. Paul Bacigalupo

Office No. 100. Richard Walmark

Orange County

Measure A: Yes. Brings Orange County’s long-standing campaign reform ordinance into compliance with recent court decisions.

To see full text of Times recommendations, go to www.latimes.com. Click on Editorials, then click on Election Recommendations.