Political Action-November Election 2008
On November 4th of this year, your vote can determine who is the next President, John McCain or Barack Obama and who will go to Congress, Laura Richardson or Nicholas Dibs (37th District)*. In the state of California, representing Long Beach, you will vote for Alan S. Lowenthal or Allen G. Wood (27th District); Roderick Wright or Lydia A. Gutierrez (25th District) for the State Senate*, and who will be the State Assembly person, Bonnie Lowenthal, Gabriella Holt, or John Kling (54th District); Isadore Hall or Gwen S. Patrick (52nd District); and Warren Furutani or Edwin R. Williams (55th District)*.
The City of Long Beach will have two measures in addition to the 11 Propositions approved for the general ballot.
- Long Beach Utility Users Tax Modernization Measure
- Long Beach Infrastructure Reinvestment Act
- Proposition 1
SB 1856 (Chapter 697, 2002). Costa.
Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act for the 21st Century - Proposition 2
1274. Treatment of Farm Animals. Statute. - Proposition 3
1271. Children's Hospital Bond Act. Grant Program. Statute. - Proposition 4
1287. Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor's Pregnancy. Constitutional Amendment. - Proposition 5
1310. Nonviolent Offenders. Sentencing, Parole and Rehabilitation. Statute. - Proposition 6
1326. Criminal Penalties and Laws. Public Safety Funding. Statute. - Proposition 7
1304. Renewable Energy. Statute. - Proposition 8
1298. Limit on Marriage. Constitutional Amendment. - Proposition 9
1325. Criminal Justice System. Victims' Rights. Parole. Constitutional Amendment and Statute. - Proposition 10
1332. Bonds. Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Renewable Energy. Statute. - Proposition 11
1307. Redistricting. Constitutional Amendment and Statute.
The Long Beach Municipal Code requires that a Utility Users Tax (UUT) be charged to anyone using a telephone service. The tax was first passed in 1985 and updated in 2006. In that same year, the IRS sent a notice that there were some discrepancies in the city’s Municipal Code. The revenue obtained through the UUT represents 4% of the General Fund and could be in jeopardy if the code is not further updated. One the November ballot, the city will propose the following ordinance:
-continuation of the existing UUT rate of 5 percent;
-continued exemptions for low income seniors and disabled residents, as well as other currently exempted entities; and,
-the incorporation of new and evolving technologies to ensure the users of older technologies are not unfairly burdened by the UUT.
This act is a parcel tax put forth by Mayer Bob Foster to give the city of Long Beach $571 million for infrastructure improvements. The cost to a single family residence would be about $120 per year through 2044. The cost for property owners depends on the companies square footage. The tax is 8.8 cents per square foot for an office building and 7.5 cents per square foot for a parking garage. The plan is to fix up streets, sidewalks, alleys, fire stations, libraries, community centers, and a police training center in the next 10 years. The tax still has to be approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in order to be placed on the November ballot. Seniors, the disabled, faith-based organizations and not-for-profit organizations will be exempt from the tax.
Approval would give $9 billion in bonds towards the financing of a high-speed (200 mph) passenger train system in California. Additional funds would be available to other transportation systems to improve safety and movement to the new system. The system would cover 700 total miles and connect major Californian cities. This plan is motivated by the need for convenience, speed, safety and economic benefit. The projected completion date for the system is 2020. A line running from San Francisco to Los Angeles would be completed first and the revenue from that line used for expansion of the system. Impact on the environment is a concern and measures will be taken to minimize the impact on surrounding natural and urban areas.
Approval of the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act would "prohibit the cruel confinement of farm animals in a manner that does not allow them to turn around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend their limbs.” The Act does not apply to listed situations such as transportation and scientific research. Violating the conditions of the Act is considered a misdemeanor and will be punished accordingly. The Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act is to supplement current laws regarding animal welfare.
Approval would provide $980 million to the system of children's hospitals in California. Regional children's hospitals provide care for children with life-threatening illnesses or diseases. The patients can include those children which are underserved. They are also institutions that conduct research, educate, and advocate in the medical field. This proposition would secure consistent funds for the operation and expansion of such facilities in order to increase access to medical care. The funds would go to a newly-created Children's Hospital Bond Act Fund. Grants would be awarded to qualifying facilities as resources are available and as long as deadlines are met.
This proposition is for the approval or rejection of an amendment called the Child and Teen Safety and Stop Predators Act. The purpose of this Act is to protect unemancipated minors from predators that seek secret abortions and to ensure that unemancipated minors receive the necessary health care after getting an abortion. A physician cannot perform an abortion until written notification has been submitted to the parent or adult member of the family of the minor in question. The minor must consent to the abortion, as they are mentally capable. Reasons for performing an abortion may include suspected child abuse, written in a report by the minor, or a medical emergency. A minor may petition to have a judge waive the notice to their parents. The Department of Health Services will report on all abortions performed, not to include the minor or physician's name.
This proposition recommends the passage of the Nonviolent Offender Rehabilitation Act of 2008. The submission comes from the concern over the failings of California's prison system which include: insufficient rehabilitation and safety, overcrowded facilities, and inappropriate punishment for nonviolent offenders. Nonviolent offenders should be educated and trained so as to be able to be reintegrated into society. Also, there are insufficient drug treatment programs, especially for youth. In general, California resources for the prison system are not efficiently distributed. Motivations for this proposition include concern for public safety, accountability throughout the system, expansion of current rehabilitation programs, drug addiction treatment, and living conditions of inmates.
This proposition is in regards to the Safe Neighborhoods Act: Stop Gang, Gun, and Street Crime. There has been a recent increase in crime in California, specifically homicides, vehicle thefts, and robberies. A main concern of this Act is to allocate resources more efficiently to alter the infrastructure of California's law enforcement agencies. Rehabilitation, safety, and punishment of crime are of specific concern. The Act recommends reform that would include increasing crime prevention and accountability throughout the system. Sufficient information about the criminal justice system and crime in California would be made available to the public.
The state is proposing the Solar and Clean Energy Act of 2008. Motivation for this Act comes from increasing concerns over global warming issues. The main goal is to reduce air-pollution in California and energy independence. Using solar and clean energy sources is cheaper and more convenient and will improve our environment in the long run. There is also the concern about our relationships with other nations and oil companies. The state is not currently complying with the law that requires 20 percent of energy to come from solar and clean sources.
The California Marriage Protection Act states that, "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in the state of California." The approval or rejection of this act will be voted on.
The Victim's Bill of Rights Act of 2008 concerns the rights and due process of victims of crime. A Victim's Bill of Rights was passed in 1982, but has since been inefficient in enforcing the proper treatment of crime victims and their families. Shortcomings include: the early release of offenders, an underfinanced prison system, and failure to notify families of victims about court proceedings. The Act specifically recommends the decrease of parole hearings to make the process more efficient, to save funds for the state, and to lessen the suffering of victims' families.
California's problems with greenhouse gas submissions have already been partly addressed in the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. The state is required to lower their greenhouse gas levels. California, however, is still too dependent on petroleum-based fuels used for a large portion of our transportation purposes. This proposal is to ensure funds that will go towards reducing carbon emissions from vehicles, thereby helping the environment and economy. Energy conservation and utilizing alternative energy sources are the main areas of focus. $5 billion dollars is being proposed to achieve multiple policy goals regarding these areas.
This proposition addresses the issue of drawing legislature districts and the representation of constituencies. Currently, districts are drawn so as to protect the positions of incumbents. The proposed reform would allow the Citizens Redistricting Commission to draw the district lines to increase fair representation while making the process accessible to the public. The Commission will be independent of partisan interests. The reform sets up criteria under which redistricting takes place and all Legislators are to abide by theses standards. Proposition 11 states the guidelines surrounding the creation and function of the Citizens Redistricting Commission.
To read the full text of any of the above propositions, visit: http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_j.htm#2008General.
To access election and voter registration information, visit: http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections.htm.
The Long Beach Branch NAACP advocates voter education, registration, and voting in each election either in person or absentee.
* For City of Long Beach residents
The NAACP urges you to register to vote and to make sure that your family, friends and neighbors are registered. We are asking that all Long Beach Branch members personally register one voter per month.