faithandjustice: California Ballot Propositions

California would sell $9.95 billion in bonds to raise money devoted to a high-speed passenger rail system and to update existing systems.
Pro: 2.5 hour ride from LA to SF with less pollution.
www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov
Con: Impact on wildlife habitat and debt concerns.
www.hsrlandimpacts.org

Requires that animals be able to move in their cages.
Pro: Regulated treatment of animals. www.humanecalifornia.org
Con: Economic burden on large farmers. www.unitedegg.org

California would sell $9.8 billion in bonds to raise money for children’s hospitals.
Pro: Update hospital equipment and less crowding. www.ccha.org/advocacy_cf.html
Con: $67 million per year debt. www.healthvote.org/

Would require that physicians notify an adult family member and wait 48 hours before performing an abortion on a minor. (Constitutional Amendment)
Pro: Allows parents to be involved in health decisions.
http://www.yeson4.net/
Con: Could delay medical care and deter reporting of abuse. www.canow.org

Expands rehab programs and reduces sentences for drug offenses.
Pro: Reduce prison crowding and expense.
http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/071708nora.cfm
Con: Concern about early prisoner release.
http://tinyurl.com/5vmpn8

Requires increased anti-crime funding and creates stiffer penalties for “gang-related” crimes, including eliminating bail for illegal immigrants accused of such crimes and trial of 14-year-olds and up as adults.
Pro: Higher-funded gang prevention and punishment.
www.safeneighborhoodsact.com
Con: Directs funds away from other spending (schools, health care, etc.) and targets minority populations.
http://www.defeatrunner.org/

Requires all utilities to generate 20% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2010 and 50% by 2025.
Pro: Cleaner energy without more state spending.
www.solarandcleanenergy.org
Con: Rise in energy costs and utility shutdown.
http://tinyurl.com/no-on-prop7

Amends the California Constitution to provide that only marriage between a man and a woman is recognized.
Pro: Provides constitutional definition of marriage.
http://www.nationformarriage.org/
Con: Curtails rights of same-sex couples and removes added economic benefit of marriages performed in California.
http://www.letcaliforniaring.org/

Amends constitution to require that victims be notified of criminal proceedings, and reduces parole eligibility.
Pro: Grants victims clearer rights. www.marsyslaw.org
Con: Will increase prison population.
http://ellabakercenter.org/booksnotbars

California would sell $5 billion in bonds to raise money for renewable energy and fuel incentives.
Pro: Support for environmentally friendly energy.
http://www.cleanreliableenergy.org/
Con: Concerns over debt added onto budget.
www.oilwatchdog.org

Creates commission to head redrawing district lines.
Pro: Independent drawing of lines rather than legislature control. www.commoncause.org
Con: Concerns about ethnic representation.
http://tinyurl.com/demsopp11

California would sell $.9 billion in bonds to pay loans for veterans to purchase homes.