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November 2020 California Statewide Propositions
The Green Party of Santa Clara County has reviewed the recommendations by the Green Party of Alameda County’s Voter Guide and we have taken the following positions on the November 2020 state-wide propositions, approved at our August 27th monthly meeting. Learn more about the Statewide Ballot Measures.
Proposition 14 – NO – $5.5 Billion in Bonds for Stem Cell Research Institute.
This is an extremely wasteful, high cost, interest-based, public bond financing, for both public and private colleges, and private medical corporations, to subsidize stem cell research. The Covid-19 virus crisis has shown clearly that the corporate capture of health care must end, and that medical advances developed with public funds must be available freely and at low cost to the public which funded those advances. Vote NO on Prop. 14.
Proposition 15 – YES, YES, YES – Funding for Schools and Local Governments by Fairly Taxing Large Commercial Properties.
This provides up to $12 billion a year for public schools, community colleges, and local government services by requiring commercial and industrial properties to be taxed based on regularly re-assessed market value. Proposition 15 does not affect residential property at all! This is a needed step in the right direction of taxing the super-rich — starting with wealthy corporations — and restoring billions to our schools and communities. Vote YES on Prop. 15!
Proposition 16 – YES – Allows Diversity and Affirmative Action
Repeal Prop. 209, passed in 1996, which prohibits the state of California from considering “race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education, or public contracting.” The Green Party unequivocally supports the passage of Prop. 16, as an initial step towards undoing the damage wrought by Prop. 209 and addressing the systemic racism and sexism in our society.
Proposition 17 – YES – Restores Right to Vote after Completion of Prison Term
This restore voting rights to prisoners who have completed their prison sentence during their period of parole. Parolees would also be allowed to run for public office. Relying on the California Green Party core value of grassroots democracy, the increasingly indisputable need to defend voting rights against a Republican assault, and the fact that the penalties of prison disproportionately affect Black and Brown people, we recommend a YES vote on Prop. 17.
Proposition 18 – YES – Primary voting for 17-year-olds who will be 18 for the general election
Proposes allowing 17 year olds to vote in primary elections if they will be 18 by the date of the general election. Voting is a lifetime habit, and if young people can be encouraged to begin voting while in high school they are more likely to continue voting throughout their lives. Moreover, if they are old enough to join the military when they’re 17, then they’re old enough to vote!
Proposition 19 – Neutral – Changes Certain Property Tax Rules
We believe this prop could benefit some seniors and others who aren’t wealthy, but it also benefits the very wealthy and the real estate industry and ultimately, we need a comprehensive overhaul of CA’s property tax laws to make wealthy individuals, corporations, and real estate speculators pay their fair share of taxes.
Proposition 20 – NO – Restricts Parole for Non-Violent Offenders and Authorizes Felonies for Some Current Misdemeanors
This is a proposition that, among other things, would increase criminal penalties for some “theft-related crimes” and would change how people released from prison are supervised. California already has a mass incarceration problem that is extremely costly. We need a full revision of California’s treatment of violent crimes. Therefore we recommend a NO vote on this disorganized initiative.
Proposition 21 – YES – Expands Local Governments’ Authority to Enact Rent Control
This would allow local municipalities to add buildings/units over 15 years old to rent-control. In this regard it is a modest, but welcome, improvement to Costa-Hawkins. Prop. 21 has been endorsed by a wide array of housing and progressive organizations. Vote YES on Prop. 21!
Proposition 22 – NO – Exempts Some App-Based Companies from Providing Employee Benefits
If ever there was a measure of corporate greed and exploitation, here is a clear example, one that requires our active opposition. It ONLY applies to Uber, Lyft, Door Dash and other app-based delivery and transportation companies and only they would profit from it as they continue the exploitation of gig workers. Vote NO on Prop. 22.
Proposition 23 – YES – Establishes Requirements for Kidney Dialysis Clinics.
This is clearly a struggle between the for-profit kidney dialysis industry (which in California is dominated by just two large companies), and the effort to unionize the dialysis workers, led by SEIU-UHW West. Prop. 23 will likely bring relatively modest benefits to dialysis patients, but it will definitely cut into the big profits that the dialysis companies have recently been raking in. Vote YES on Prop 23.
Proposition 24 – NO – Consumer Privacy, and Privacy Protection Agency
This proposition is the product of a multimillionaire real estate developer and landlord who worked behind closed doors with the very tech companies who would profit over the sharing and selling of personal data. Vote NO on Prop. 24.
Proposition 25 – Neutral – Approves Replacing Money Bail with Algorithm-Based System
The cash bail bond system is inherently unjust and discriminatory and must be replaced with just, restorative and supportive solutions to address the root causes of crime, however many criminal justice advocates stand opposed to this computer algorithm replacement and despite supporting the original SB-10, they reversed their position on SB-10 after it was gutted by CA legislators.