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California 2008 ballot propositions

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    Twenty-one (21) statewide ballot propositions were on the 2008 ballot in California.

    • Seven measures were on the ballot on February 5, 2008. Four were approved and three were defeated.
    • Two measures were on the ballot on June 3, 2008. One was approved and one was defeated.

    Twelve measures were on the ballot on November 4, 2008. Seven were approved and five were defeated. Cumulative spending on the November statewide ballot proposition campaigns was about $227 million.[1]

    Of the 21 propositions on the California ballot in 2008 (including all three election dates):

    On the ballot

    February 5

    See also: California 2008 presidential primary election results
    Type Title Subject Description Result
    CICA Proposition 91 Transportation Prohibits funds generated from certain gas taxes dedicated for transportation projects from being deposited into the state's general fund
    Defeatedd
    CICA/SS Proposition 92 Education Changes the existing formula for community college funding; reducing the credit fee from $20 per unit to $15 per unit; and establishing independent community college districts and board of governors
    Defeatedd
    CICA Proposition 93 Term limits Amends the state's term limits to limit state legislators to a maximum of 12 years in office without regard to what chamber they were serving in
    Defeatedd
    VR Proposition 94 Gambling Upholds or rejects an amendment to the gaming compact between the state and the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Mission Indians to allow them to operate an additional 5,500 slot machines and require the tribe to pay $42.5 million and a portion of the additional slot revenue to the state
    Approveda
    VR Proposition 95 Gambling Upholds or rejects an amendment to the gaming compact between the state and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians to allow them to operate an additional 5,500 slot machines and require the tribe to pay $36.7 million and a portion of the additional slot revenue to the state
    Approveda
    VR Proposition 96 Gambling Upholds or rejects a gaming compact enacted in early 2007 between the state of California and the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation
    Approveda
    VR Proposition 97 Gambling Upholds or rejects an amendment to the gaming compact between the state and the Aqua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians to allow them to operate an additional 3,000 slot machines and require the tribe to pay $23.4 million and a portion of the additional slot revenue to the state
    Approveda

    June 3

    Type Title Subject Description Result
    CICA Proposition 98 Eminent domain Places limits on the power of government to take property from one private owner through the process of eminent domain and give it to another private owner; prohibiting any future rent control measures; phases out rent control measures enacted prior to January 2007s
    Defeatedd
    CICA Proposition 99 Eminent domain Prohibits state and local governments from acquiring an owner-occupied residence for the purpose of conveying it to another person with certain listed exceptions, including, "protecting public health and safety; preventing serious, repeated criminal activity; responding to an emergency; or remedying environmental contamination that poses a threat to public health and safety"
    Approveda

    November 4

    Type Title Subject Description Result
    BI Proposition 1A Bonds Authorizes $9.95 in bonds for high-speed rail
    Approveda
    CISS Proposition 2 Animal rights Establishes minimum space requirements based on square feet for calves raised for veal, breeding pigs, and egg-laying hens
    Approveda
    CISS Proposition 3 Bonds Issues $980 million in bonds for children's hospitals
    Approveda
    CICA Proposition 4 Abortion Requires parental notification before a minor can receive an abortion
    Defeatedd
    CISS Proposition 5 Law enforcement Changes to drug crime policy, sentencing, and rehabilitation programs
    Defeatedd
    CISS Proposition 6 Law enforcement Changes to gang-related criminal laws, law enforcement funding, and parole agent caseloads
    Defeatedd
    CISS Proposition 7 Environment Changes the state's renewable portfolio standards
    Defeatedd
    CICA Proposition 8 Marriage Defines marriage as between one man and one woman, thus reversing a state judicial ruling that legalized same-sex marriage in California
    Approveda
    Overturnedot
    CICA/SS Proposition 9 Law enforcement Adds specific rights of crime victims, together known as Marsy's Law, to the California Constitution
    Approveda
    CISS Proposition 10 Environment Authorizes the state to issue $5 billion in bonds for alternative fuel projects
    Defeatedd
    CICA/SS Proposition 11 Redistricting Transfers the legislative redistricting power from elected representatives to a 14 member commission; establishes a process for selecting commissioners; and requiring a supermajority vote to approve redistricting map
    Approveda
    BI Proposition 12 Bonds Issues $900 million in bonds to provide loans to veterans to purchase homes or farms
    Approveda

    Getting measures on the ballot

    Legislative referrals

    The California State Legislature may refer constitutional amendments to the ballot with a two-thirds (66.67%) vote in each chamber.

    The legislature can refer statutes and bond issues with a simple majority vote, but the governor's signature is also required.

    In California, changes to voter-approved ballot initiatives need to be referred to voters for approval or rejection unless the changes further the initiative's purpose.

    Initiatives

    See also: Signature requirements for ballot measures in California

    The number of valid signatures for citizen-initiated measures in California are based on the votes cast for governor in the last gubernatorial election, which are held every four years. Initiated constitutional amendments require 8% of that total while initiated state statutes and veto referendums require 5%. The requirements for each type in 2008 were as follows:


    Cost of signatures

    See also: California ballot initiative petition signature costs
    Ballot measure Subject Signature collection company Cost Signatures required CPRS
    Proposition 91 Transportation 694,354
    Proposition 92 Education Arno Political Consultants $38,000[2] 694,354
    Proposition 93 Term limits Kimball Petition Management $2,238,538 694,354 $3.22
    Proposition 94 Gambling Arno Political Consultants $926,133 433,971 $2.13
    Proposition 95 Gambling Arno Political Consultants $926,133 433,971 $2.13
    Proposition 96 Gambling Arno Political Consultants $926,133 433,971 $2.13
    Proposition 97 Gambling Arno Political Consultants $926,133 433,971 $2.13
    Proposition 98 Eminent domain Arno Political Consultants $1,583,000 694,354 $2.28
    Proposition 99 Eminent domain PCI Consultants, Inc. $3,559,970 694,354 $5.13
    Proposition 2 Animal rights PCI Consultants, Inc. $416,756 433,971 $.96
    Proposition 3 Bonds Arno Political Consultants $1,028,000 433,971 $2.37
    Proposition 4 Abortion Bader & Associates, Inc. $2,555,000 694,354 $3.68
    Proposition 5 Marijuana PCI Consultants, Inc. $1,762,000 433,971 $4.06
    Proposition 6 Criminal justice National Petition Management $1,022,000 433,971 $2.35
    Proposition 7 Energy PCI Consultants, Inc. $1,367,000 433,971 $3.15
    Proposition 8 Marriage Bader & Associates, Inc. $882,900 694,354 $1.27
    Proposition 9 Criminal justice Bader & Associates, Inc. $2,258,000 694,354 $3.25
    Proposition 10 Energy PCI Consultants, Inc. $3,078,263 433,971 $7.09
    Proposition 11 Redistricting Kimball Petition Management $2,332,988 694,354 $3.36
    TOTAL: $27,826,947

    Not on the ballot

    Title Subject Description
    Drinking Water Bond Act Bonds Issues $6,835,000,000 ($6.835 billion) in bonds for water projects
    College Affordability Act Education Freezes, for five years, mandatory fees paid by undergraduates for attending state universities
    Teacher Recruitment Education Prohibits school districts from paying any employee a salary higher than that of highest-paid classroom teacher
    Protect Marriage Marriage Defines marriage as between one man and one woman
    Eminent Domain Protection Eminent domain Restricts the use of eminent domain
    Water Storage & Reliability Bond issue Issues $11,690,000,000 ($11.69 billion) bond issue for water projects
    Human Embryo Research Stem cells Bans "destructive human embryo research"
    Human Cloning Ban Stem cells Bans human cloning
    Abortion regulations Abortion Ban on abortions at viability
    Fair Districts Act Elections Changes how state legislative district boundaries are drawn
    Healthcare for Veterans Healthcare Concerns veteran healthcare funding
    Health Security Healthcare Establishes a California Health Security Plan
    Voter Restoration Act Election reform Changes how state legislative district boundaries are drawn
    Prisoner Rehabilitation Law enforcement Allows inmates more access to educational, treatment, and visitation programs
    Dietary Supplement Expense Taxes Creates a medical expense deduction on state income tax for dietary supplements and special foods
    Repeals marijuana penalties Marijuana Decriminalizes marijuana
    Tangible Ballots Elections Requires votes on a direct-recording electronic device to result in a tangible ballot
    Prohibits sterilization Animal rights Forbids sterilization of animals or humans
    Domestic Partnerships Marriage Recognizes marriage as between one man and one woman
    Property Ownership Property rights Forbids local governments from denying land ownership
    Animals are Property Animal rights Defines animals as property
    Prohibition of Identification Devices Animal rights Prohibits placing identification devices under animal or human skin
    Animal license fees Animal rights Forbids local governments from charging more than $50 for an animal license
    Stray and relinguished animals Animal rights Establishes statewide standards for animal euthansia at shelters
    Right to Health Healthcare Declares that health is a fundamental constitutional right
    Health insurance Healthcare Concerns health insurance for children
    Taxpayer Protection Act Elections and campaigns Prohibits government-to-government lobbying
    Political Party Nomination Elections Selects presidential electors by proportional plurality vote under certain conditions
    Corporate Crimes Business regulation Requires business execs to report corporate crimes in writing
    Electoral College Reform Elections Requires parties to nominate a presidential elector from each congressional district
    National Popular Vote Act Elections Gives the state'spresidential electors given to winner of national popular vote
    Healthy Californians Act Healthcare Adds "and affordable health care" to the statebill of rights
    Class Action Reform Act Judicial reform Reforms class action regulations
    Non-Profit Plaintiffs Act Judicial reform Allows certain nonprofits to be plaintiffs in class-action lawsuits
    Shareholder Approval of Compensation Business regulation Requires that if a public company does business in California, its shareholders must approve the compensation plans for the top 10 highest-paid executives
    Corporate Accountability Act Business regulation Compensates the public for the harm inflicted by corporate fraud
    Prison Population Reduction Act Law enforcement Reduces the prison population through work time credit and resentencing
    Prisoner Rights Act Law enforcement Concerns rehabilitation education for prisoners
    Nuclear Energy Regulations Nuclear power Repeals existing restrictions on state approval of construction of nuclear power plants
    Redistricting Proposal Redistricting Establishes a citizens redistricting commission
    Wealth Tax Taxes Imposes 45% tax on value of property exceeding $40 million
    Child Abuse Reporting Welfare Requires training on recognizing child abuse and neglect to all those that are required to report it by law
    Redistricting Proposal Redistricting Establishes Citizens Redistricting Commission
    Worker's Compensation Healthcare Allows employees to choose medical treatment centers without company approval when injured because of work
    Legislature Reimbursement Admin of gov't Restricts legislators' reimbursements to travel expenses; reduces expenses by $4.5 million annually
    Lobbying Gifts Elections Bans legislatures from accepting gift from lobbyists or trade associations
    Class Action Lawsuits Judiciary Concerns class action lawsuits
    Corporate Crime Reporting Business regulation Concerns crime reporting
    Treatment of Farm Animals Animal rights Requires enclosed animals to be able to fully extend their limbs or wings, lie down, stand up, and turn around
    Internet Poker Statute Gambling Creates a state-owned poker website
    Limit on Marriage Marriage Defines marriage as between one man and one woman
    Pension reform Healthcare Reduces pension and retirement health care benefits for all public employees hired after July 9th, 2009
    Personal Income Tax Abolishment Taxes Abolishes the state personal income tax; increases state sales and use tax by 5.5%
    Universal Healthcare Reform Healthcare Creates universal health care
    Candidate Vote Requirement Election Reform Mandates a runoff election when no candidate in a state or federal election receives more than 50% of the total votes
    Uninsured motorist Law enforcement Requires police officers who issue a citation for failure to provide proof of insurance to remove the vehicle’s license plates

    See also

    External links

    Footnotes

    1. Associated Press, reprinted in Gay and Lesbian Times, "Calif. initiative campaigns cost $227 million," February 12, 2009
    2. The Cal-Access database lists two campaign committees as having registered in support of Proposition 92. One of these organizations ("Yes on 92! Students and Educators in Support") shows no expenditures of any kind. The other organization, "Yes on Proposition 92, Californians for Improving Community Colleges, a Coalition of Educators and Community College Organizations", shows one $38,000 expenditure to Arno Political Consultants. In our judgment, it is very unlikely that only $38,000 was spent collecting signatures for Proposition 92. It is more likely that there is a flaw in the database.