Statewide propositions

The seven statewide propositions appearing on the Nov. 5 ballot:

PROPOSITION 46

Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Bond Act

Would create a $2.1-billion trust fund to build and refurbish low-income housing and expand shelters for battered women and homeless families with children. Includes repairs and improvements to apartments for families and disabled citizens; military veteran homeownership assistance; and security improvements and repairs to existing emergency shelters. Makes cities and counties eligible to receive specified funds. Subjects expenditures to independent audit.

Supporters: Pete Major, executive director, Habitat for Humanity, Orange County; Barbara Inatsugu, president, League of Women Voters of California; Dr. Kathie Mathis, executive director, Assn. to Aid Victims of Domestic Violence; Tom Porter, state director of AARP; Dan Terry, president, California Professional Firefighters.

Opponents: State Sen. Ray Haynes (R-Riverside), chairman, Senate Constitutional Amendments Committee; Assemblyman Anthony Pescetti (R-Rancho Cordova), vice chairman, Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee; John Coupal, president, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn.; Lew Uhler, president, National Tax Limitation Committee.

PROPOSITION 47

Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Bond Act

Provides a bond issue of $13.05 billion to build new public schools and colleges to relieve overcrowding and accommodate growing student enrollment, and to repair older schools. Funds will be targeted to areas of greatest need and must be spent according to strict accountability measures.

Supporters: Allan Zaremberg, president, California Chamber of Commerce; Jan Harp Domene, president, California State PTA; Larry McCarthy, president, California Taxpayers Assn.; Wayne Johnson, president, California Teachers Assn.; Bill Hauck, co-chairman, Taxpayers for Accountability and Better Schools; Barbara Inatsugu, president, League of Women Voters of California.

Opponents: State Sen. William “Pete” Knight (R-Palmdale); Jon Coupal, president, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn.; Lewis Uhler, president, National Tax Limitation Committee; Edward J. Costa, chairman, California Taxpayers Coalition; Ralph Morrell, president, Northern California Committee for Limited Government; Ken Steadman, president, Waste Watchers Inc.

PROPOSITION 48

Court Consolidation

Would amend the state Constitution to delete references to the municipal courts, which are now obsolete because of the consolidation of superior and municipal trial courts into unified superior courts previously approved by the voters. Makes certain conforming and related changes in the Constitution to reflect consolidation.

Supporters: Assemblyman Howard Wayne (D-San Diego); David Huebner, chairman, California Law Revision Commission.

Opponents: Gary B. Wesley and Melvin L. Emerich, co-chairmen, Voter Information Alliance.

PROPOSITION 49

Before- and After-School Programs

Would require the state to spend up to $550 million a year on such programs that provide tutoring, homework assistance and educational enrichment. Current state spending is about $117 million a year. Beginning in 2004-05, money for the programs would have to come from the state general fund and not from education funding guaranteed under Proposition 98. The measure would not go into effect until the non-education portion of the budget grew by at least $1.5 billion over its highest level in the previous four years. Makes every public elementary and middle/junior high school, including charter schools, eligible for after-school grants ranging from $50,000 to $75,000. Maintains local funding match requirement. Gives priority to schools with predominantly low-income students. Spending could be reduced only if the Legislature suspended Proposition 98 (which is unlikely to happen, according to the legislative analyst’s office) or if voters passed a subsequent ballot measure. Critics contend that the proposition’s built-in protections could lead to cuts in other social, health and education programs during an economic downturn.

Supporters: Arnold Schwarzenegger, actor; Wayne Johnson, president, California Teachers Assn.; Warren Rupf, president, California State Sheriffs Assn.; Jon Coupal, president, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn.; Tom Porter, state director, AARP.

Opponents: Barbara Inatsugu, president, League of Women Voters of California.

PROPOSITION 50

Water Quality, Supply and Safe Drinking Water Projects

and Coastal Wetlands Purchase and Protections Bonds

Authorizes $3.44 billion in general obligation bonds to fund a variety of water projects; grants and loans to reduce Colorado River water use; the purchase, protection and restoration of coastal wetlands near urban areas; improved security for state, local and regional water systems; grants for desalination and drinking water disinfection; development of river parkways; restoration of habitat in the San Franciso Bay-San Joaquin Delta estuary.

Supporters: Barbara Inatsugu, president, League of Women Voters of California; Dan Taylor, vice president, National Audubon Society; Marguerite Young, California director, Clean Water Action; Dan Terry, president, California Professional Firefighters; Phillip J. Pace, chairman, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Opponents: Ernie Dynda, president, United Organizations of Taxpayers; Edward J. Costa, chief executive, Peoples Advocate; Tom C. Rogers, chairman, Citizens Against Unfair Taxation; Richard Ahern, vice president, Waste Watchers Inc.

PROPOSITION 51

Transportation. Distribution of Existing Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax

Will create a “Traffic Congestion Relief and Safe School Bus Trust Fund” by claiming 30% of the sales tax revenue from the lease and sale of new and used motor vehicles that currently goes to the state’s general fund. The money would be used for school bus safety, clean air programs, highway and mass transit improvements, among other things. Also identifies 45 transportation and environmental projects around the state that would receive specified amounts of money each year. Redirects specified General Fund revenues of $420 million in 2002-03, $910 million in 2003-04, and increasing amounts annually thereafter, depending on the increase in the sale and leasing of motor vehicles. Opponents contend that the measure will lock in spending on these projects at the expense of health, education or other needs.

Supporters: Lt. Ed Gray, president, California Organization of Police and Sheriffs; Kirk Hunter, co-chairman, School Transportation Coalition; Paul Burris, president, Partners for Highway Safety; Dana Rose, state coordinator, California Safe Kids Network; Dr. John Balmes, American Lung Assn. of California; Arturo Venegas Jr., Sacramento chief of police.

Opponents: Barbara Inatsugu, president, League of Women Voters of California; Lenny Goldberg, executive director, California Tax Reform Assn.; Lewis Uhler, president, National Tax Limitation Committee; Jon Coupal, president, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn.

PROPOSITION 52

Election Day Voter Registration. Voter Fraud Penalties

Would allow eligible citizens to register to vote up to and including election day. Increases criminal penalty for voter and voter registration fraud, and criminalizes conspiracy to commit voter fraud. In the 27 days before an election, citizens must register or re-register at their county registrar’s office. On election day, eligible residents could register or re-register at their local precinct, provided they have proof they live in the area. Creates a fund to implement the measure and requires trained staff at polling places to manage election day registration. Current law requires voters to register by the 15th day before an election. Opponents say the change would make the system more vulnerable to fraud.

Supporters: Lee Baca, Los Angeles County sheriff; March Fong Eu, former secretary of state; Barbara Inatsugu, president, League of Women Voters of California; Rocky Delgadillo, Los Angeles city attorney.

Opponents: Jan Scully, Sacramento County district attorney; Mike Carona, Orange County sheriff; Sharon Runner, co-chairman, Citizens & Law Enforcement Against Election Fraud; Ed Jagels, Kern County district attorney; Roy Burns, president, Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs Assn.; Jill Schall, president, Women Prosecutors of California.

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Source: California Budget Project; secretary of state; League of Women Voters of California.