By Mary O’KEEFE

California voters are going to be asked to vote on 17 propositions this Tuesday. CVW has covered a few of the propositions in prior weeks. Here is a brief description of those left that voters will be asked to decide on:

Prop 55. This is called “Extend Tax on High Income,” which basically does exactly what it states. In 2012, voters had approved a higher temporary tax on state residents making more than $250,000 per year. Money from this tax provides about $7 billion for the state annually and is set to expire in 2018. This proposal, if approved, would extend that tax. Half of the money goes to schools and community colleges. Medi-Cal would receive about $2 billion annually from this tax. This would not add anything but keep the tax as it has been since 2012.

Prop 56 – The “Tobacco Tax” asks voters to approve a special tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products.  This special tax is called an excise tax, which the state currently does not charge for electronic cigarettes. The current tax on a pack of cigarettes is 87 cents. If it passes the excise tax on tobacco products would rise by $2 per pack of cigarettes. This tax would apply to cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco and electronic cigarettes containing liquid nicotine. The money collected from this tax would help pay for healthcare and education programs.

Prop 57. The “Parole, Sentencing and Court Procedures” proposition will make changes in sentencing and procedures for specific crimes in order to help with prison overcrowding. If this passes, adults convicted of non-violent felonies would be eligible for parole after serving time for their main crime. Inmates may be given the opportunity to reduce their sentences through credits for good behavior and approved educational activities. In youth court, those 14 to 17 years old accused of a crime could not be tried in adult court unless a juvenile court judge decided it. Those who argue for this proposition state it would reduce the overcrowding in jails, and those who argue against it state this would release a greater number of convicted felons onto the street.

Prop 58. “English Language Education” is a misleading title because it is about teaching in languages other than English. This proposition asks voters to approve a measure that would no longer require English learners to be in English-only programs. Schools would be allowed to use bilingual programs to teach English based on the needs of their students. If passed, school districts would be required to get feedback from parents about how English learners in their schools should be taught.

Prop 59. The “Political Spending Advisory” asks California’s state lawmakers to do everything in their power to reverse the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision. Prior to 2010, unions and corporations had limits on the amount of money they could spend on political campaigns. In 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that corporations are the same as individuals as far as political spending is concerned. This court case was Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. So the court’s decision allowed unions and corporations to spend an unlimited amount of money on political advertisements. This proposition only provides lawmakers with public feedback.

A vote of  “yes” or “no” does not guarantee that the U.S. Congress or state lawmakers will move to amend the U.S. Constitution.

Prop 60.

Titled “Condoms in Adult Films,” which is rather self-explanatory. If approved, this would require actors working in adult films to use condoms while filming.

Prop 63.

  “Gun and Ammunition Sales,” if passed, would create a new court process to make certain people convicted of felonies and some other crimes unable to own guns. In addition, the proposition would make it illegal to possess certain types of gun ‘magazines’ or clips that hold a large number of bullets.

Prop 64

. Aimed at “Making Recreational Marijuana Legal.” In 1996, the state voters approved to legalize marijuana for California residents to grow and use for medical purposes with a doctor’s recommendation. Arguably this law, in theory, did follow what happened in practice. Several cities and unincorporated areas outlawed medical marijuana dispensaries. This proposition asks voters to legalize all marijuana use. If passed, it would be legal for adults 21 years and older to grow, possess and/or use marijuana. Businesses growing and selling non-medical marijuana would be regulated, although those regulations have yet to be determined. Taxes would be set for retail sales and the money would be used for youth programs, environmental protection and drug education efforts. It also authorizes resentencing and destruction of records for prior marijuana convictions.

Props 65 and 67

. “Money from Carry-Out Bags” sees two propositions working together. Many cities already ban single-use plastic bags at grocery and other retail stores. Prop 67 asks voters to make this ban statewide. Stores would be required to charge 10 cents for other types of carryout bags made of paper or thicker reusable plastic. Prop 67 alone would allow the stores to keep part of the money, and part would go into education. But if Prop. 65 passes, instead of the funds going to the stores it would go toward different environmental projects, including recycling and clean drinking water.

Measure A

. This measure requires a two-thirds approval. This is the Measure that has been promoted in the Crescenta Valley area by local parks and recreation departments. This would levy a special tax annually on improved parcels within the District, which includes the entire County. The tax would commence with the fiscal year 2017-18. The tax would be levied at a rate of 1.5 cents per square foot of structural improvements to property. Funds from the tax will be used to replace an expired 1992 assessment and a 1996 assessment expiring in 2019. Funds from this tax would continue projects including developing, enhancing and preserving parks, play areas, beaches, open space lands, and waterways. It would also help support several park programs for adults, seniors and children.

Measure HHH

. If approved will provide safe, clean, affordable housing for the homeless and for those in danger of becoming homeless, including battered women and their children, veterans, seniors, foster youth and the disabled. This would be $1.2 billion in general obligation bonds, with a citizen oversight and annual financial audits.

Measure M.

also requires a two-thirds approval from voters. If approved, the Los Angeles County Traffic Improvement Plan would bring a half-cent rise in sales tax to 9.5%, and continue the existing half-cent Traffic Relief Tax until voters decide to end it. This would, according to the proponents, include improving freeway traffic flow and safety, repair potholes, expand rail/subway/bus systems and create jobs.

  Mary Okeefe