On the ballot

Voters today will decide 13 statewide ballot measures involving such disparate subjects as abortion, campaign contributions, levees, sex offenders and taxes.

Proposition 1A-1E

Infrastructure bonds

The state Legislature put this package of mostly multibillion-dollar borrowing measures on the ballot to pay for modernization of the state’s crumbling public works.

Proposition 1A would prevent the state from using the gasoline taxes it collects for anything other than transportation projects. In recent years, the state has raided that fund for other government programs.

Proposition 1B would authorize $19.9 billion in borrowing to pay for transportation projects. More than half of the money would be used to improve and repair freeways and local roads. Another large chunk would be spent improving local public transit services. Funds also would be used to speed the movement of goods through ports and to improve disaster preparedness.

Proposition 1C would authorize $2.9 billion in borrowing to build affordable housing for low-income and elderly Californians as well as emergency shelters for battered women and their children. The largest share of the money would be devoted to urban development near public transportation. The measure also would provide funds for down payment assistance to low- and medium-income Californians.

Proposition 1D would authorize $10.4 billion in borrowing for construction and modernization of schools, community colleges and University of California and Cal State schools. It would provide funds the state could use to build facilities, retrofit old ones, replace portable classrooms and expand vocational education classroom space. Nearly a third of the money would be set aside for capital improvements at colleges and universities.

Proposition 1E would authorize $4.1 billion in orrowing for levee improvements, flood control and flood mapping. It would enable the state to rebuild and repair its most vulnerable flood-control structures to protect homes and drinking water supplies.

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Proposition 83

Sex offender restrictions

The measure would increase prison and parole terms for some violent and repeat sex offenders and child molesters. It also would bar registered sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of a school or park and require them to wear electronic tracking devices for life, and it would expand the definition of a sexually violent predator.

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Proposition 84

Water and resource bond

The measure would authorize $5.4 billion in bonds to be distributed among state and regional agencies for water quality and supply projects; flood control; park acquisition and improvements; and protection of streams, wildlife habitat and coastal land.

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Proposition 85

Abortions for minors

The measure would amend the California Constitution to bar abortions for a patient under age 18 until 48 hours after her parent or guardian has been notified by a physician. It would provide exceptions for medical emergencies or with a waiver from a judge. It also would authorize monetary damages against physicians for violations.

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Proposition 86

Tobacco tax

The measure would increase the tax on cigarettes from 87 cents to $3.47 per pack, raising about $2.1 billion that would go to hospitals, health programs and disease research.

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Proposition 87

Tax on crude oil production

The measure would raise $4 billion over 10 years by taxing oil pumped from the ground in California. The tax would range from 1.5% to 6% of the value of a 42-gallon barrel of oil, depending on the market price of crude. Money would be distributed by an appointed board to finance research, development and commercialization of nonpetroleum-based alternative fuels for motor vehicles. The board also would fund research into wind and solar power.

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Proposition 88

Parcel tax

The measure would create an annual parcel tax of $50 for homeowners statewide to pay for reduced class sizes, school safety and textbooks. The legislative analyst’s office estimates that the tax would raise about $450 million a year. Low-income homeowners who are disabled or elderly would be exempt.

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Proposition 89

Public campaign financing

The measure would raise corporate and banking taxes by $200 million a year to pay for public financing of campaigns for state office; cap donations to state candidates; limit the amount contributors could give per year to candidates and political parties; and restrict corporate donations to $10,000 per ballot measure.

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Proposition 90

Eminent domain restrictions

The measure would bar governments from seizing private property for nongovernmental uses, such as commercial development, in effect limiting their present eminent domain powers. It would require government to pay property owners for substantial economic losses resulting from new laws and rules, except those concerning public health and safety.

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Sources: Times staff reports, California secretary of state