Thursday, October 20, 2016

Randy's Guide 4-9-7: Political Edition

The 2016 election season is rapidly drawing to a close. Election Day is Tuesday, November 8. Nationwide, we'll all have a say on the next U.S. President and House of Representatives.
 
In California's 224-page voter guide, we will vote for one open U.S. Senate seat, every State Assembly seat, and 17 propositions. California's registration deadline is October 24 - register online today.
 
Here in San Francisco, which has a 318-page voter guide, we will also vote for the open State Senate seat, non-partisan offices, and 25 propositions. City Hall is open for early voting during weekdays, as well as the final two weekends before the election.
 
Statewide Propositions
Proposition 51: School Bonds. 
Authorize $9 billion in bonds for the construction and modernization of K-12 public schools, charter schools, and community colleges. 
 
YES: CA Democratic Party, CA Republican Party, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, Assemblyman David Chiu, SF Chronicle, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, CA State PTA, CA Chamber of Commerce, Harvey Milk LGBT Club 
 
NO: CA Green Party, CA Libertarian Party, Gov. Jerry Brown, San Jose Mercury News, San Jose Mercury News, LA Times, OC Register
 
Proposition 52: Medi-Cal Hospital Fees.
Extend an existing statute imposing hospital fees to fund Medi-Cal.
 
YES: CA Democratic Party, CA Republican Party, CA Green Party, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, SF Chronicle, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, San Jose Mercury News, LA Times, CA Teachers Association, CA Chamber of Commerce, Sutter Health
 
NO: CA Libertarian Party
 
Proposition 53: Revenue Bond Approval. 
Require statewide voter approval before any bond issuance exceeding $2 billion.
 
YES: CA Republican Party, CA Libertarian Party 
 
NO: CA Democratic Party, CA Green Party, Gov. Jerry Brown, SF Chronicle, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, San Jose Mercury News, LA Times, SEIU CA, CA Federation of Teachers, CA Chamber of Commerce
 
Proposition 54: Bill Passage Requirements. 
Require Legislature to publish bills on Internet at least 72 hours before a vote, and record and publish proceedings. 
 
YES: CA Republican Party, CA Libertarian Party, CA Green Party, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, Rep. Loretta Sanchez, physicist Charles Munger Jr., SF Chronicle, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, San Jose Mercury News, LA Times, OC Register, CA NAACP, CA Chamber of Commerce 
 
NO: CA Democratic Party, Alice B Toklas LGBT Club, CA Federation of Teachers
 
Proposition 55: Tax Extension. 
Extend temporary personal income tax increases on earnings over $250,000 to fund education and health care. 
 
YES: CA Democratic Party, CA Green Party, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, Assemblyman David Chiu, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, San Jose Mercury News, CA Teachers Association, SEIU CA, SF Tenants Union 
 
NO: CA Republican Party, CA Libertarian Party, SF Chronicle, LA Times, CA Chamber of Commerce
 
Proposition 56: Cigarette Tax Increase.
Increase tax by $2 per pack on cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and other tobacco products. 
 
YES: CA Democratic Party, CA Green Party, State Sen. Mark Leno, State Assemblyman David Chiu, former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, SF Chronicle, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, San Jose Mercury News, LA Times, SEIU CA, CA State PTA, Sierra Club, American Heart Association 
 
NO: CA Republican Party, CA Libertarian Party, OC Register, Phillip Morris USA, RJ Reynolds Tobacco
 
Proposition 57: Criminal Justice Reform. 
Allow parole consideration for non-violent felons, authorize sentence credits for positive actions, and provide juvenile court hearing before transfer to adult court.
 
YES: CA Democratic Party, CA Green Party, CA Libertarian Party, Gov. Jerry Brown, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, SF Chronicle, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, LA Times, OC Register, SEIU CA, SF Tenants Union
 
NO: CA Republican Party, Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D), CA Police Chiefs Association, San Jose Mercury News, Fresno Bee
 
Proposition 58: English Proficiency. 
Preserve English language proficiency requirement, solicit input in developing English acquisition programs, and permit establishment of immersion programs. 
 
YES: CA Democratic Party, CA Green Party, Gov. Jerry Brown, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, SF Mayor Ed Lee, SF Chronicle, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, LA Times, SEIU CA, CA Chamber of Commerce, CA Teachers Association, Sierra Club 
 
NO: CA Republican Party, CA Libertarian Party, San Jose Mercury News
 
Proposition 59: Citizens United. 
Propose a U.S. Constitution amendment to overturn the Citizens United decision. 
 
YES: CA Democratic Party, CA Green Party, Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT), State Sen. Mark Leno, SF Chronicle, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, San Jose Mercury News, SF Tenants Union, Sierra Club, Harvey Milk LGBT Club, CA Teachers Association 
 
NO: CA Republican Party, LA Times, OC Register
 
Proposition 60: Adult Films. 
Require the use of condoms during adult films, and health coverage for vaccinations, testing, and physicals.
 
YES: CA Peace & Freedom Party, AIDS Healthcare Foundation
 
NO: CA Democratic Party, CA Republican Party, CA Libertarian Party, SF Green Party, State Sen. Mark Leno, Supervisor Scott Wiener, SF Chronicle, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, San Jose Mercury News, LA Times, OC Register, SF AIDS Foundation, Harvey Milk LGBT Club
 
Proposition 61: Prescription Drug Purchases. 
Prohibits the State, aside from Medi-Cal-funded managed care programs, from buying prescription drugs at a price over the lowest price paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
 
YES: CA Green Party, CA Peace & Freedom Party, Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT), Assemblyman David Chiu, Supervisor Jane Kim, SF Bay Guardian, CA Nurses Association 
 
NO: CA Republican Party, CA Libertarian Party, SF Democratic Party, Supervisor Scott Wiener, SF Chronicle, Bay Area Reporter, San Jose Mercury News, LA Times, OC Register, CA Chamber of Commerce, CA Medical Association, VFW CA, Harvey Milk LGBT Club, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Pfizer 
 
Proposition 62: Death Penalty Elimination. 
Repeals death penalty retroactively, and replaces it with life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
 
YES: CA Democratic Party, CA Green Party, CA Libertarian Party, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, Rep. Loretta Sanchez, State Sen. Mark Leno, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT), former President Jimmy Carter, SF Chronicle, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, San Jose Mercury News, LA Times, OC Register, SEIU CA, SF Tenants Union, ACLU CA
 
NO: CA Republican Party, CA State Sheriffs' Association, CA District Attorneys Association 
 
Proposition 63: Gun Industry Restrictions.
Requires background checks to purchase ammunition, prohibits large-capacity ammunition, and prohibits firearm possession by specified persons.
 
YES: CA Democratic Party, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Sen. Barbara Boxer, SF Mayor Ed Lee, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, SF Chronicle, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, San Jose Mercury News, LA Times, SEIU CA, CA Medical Association, CA Federation of Teachers
 
NO: CA Republican Party, CA Libertarian Party, Fresno Bee, OC Register, National Rifle Association, CA State Sheriffs' Association 
 
Proposition 64: Marijuana Legalization. 
Legalizes marijuana for use by adults 21 or older, imposes state taxes on sales and cultivation, and establishes licenses and standards for industry.
 
YES: CA Democratic Party, CA Green Party, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, State Sen. Mark Leno, former NM Governor Gary Johnson, Napster founder Sean Parker, SF Chronicle, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, San Jose Mercury News, LA Times, OC Register, SF Tenants Union, ACLU CA, CA Medical Association
 
NO: CA Republican Party, CA Libertarian Party, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Sacramento Bee, CA State Sheriffs' Association 
 
Proposition 65: Bag Policy Change. 
Shifts deposit bag sale proceeds into a new state fund to support certain environmental programs.
 
YES: CA Republican Party, Hilex Poly, Formosa Plastics, Advanced Polybag
 
NO: CA Green Party, CA Libertarian Party, CA Peace & Freedom Party, SF Chronicle, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, San Jose Mercury News, LA Times, SEIU CA, Harvey Milk LGBT Club, SF Chamber of Commerce, Sierra Club CA 
 
Proposition 66: Death Penalty Reforms. 
Changes court procedures for legal challenges to death sentences.
 
YES: CA Republican Party, former Gov. Pete Wilson, CA State Sheriffs' Association, CA District Attorneys Association
 
NO: CA Democratic Party, CA Green Party, CA Libertarian Party, CA Peace & Freedom Party, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sen. Barbara Boxer, SF Chronicle, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, San Jose Mercury News, LA Times, OC Register, SEIU CA, SF Tenants Union, ACLU CA, Harvey Milk LGBT Club 
 
Proposition 67: Single-Use Plastic Bag Ban. 
Prohibits grocery and other stores from providing single-use plastic bags.
 
YES: CA Democratic Party, CA Green Party, Gov. Jerry Brown, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, State Assemblymember David Chiu, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, SF Chronicle, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, San Jose Mercury News, LA Times, SEIU CA, NAACP CA, Sierra Club CA, Clif Bar, Albertsons Safeway
 
NO: CA Republican Party, CA Libertarian Party, OC Register, Dow Chemical, American Forest & Paper Association, Hilex Poly, Formosa Plastics
 
 
San Francisco Propositions
Proposition A: School Bonds.
Issue $744 million in bonds to repair and rehabilitate San Francisco Unified School District facilities. 55% required to pass.
 
YES: SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, SF Chronicle, SF Examiner, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, SEIU 1021, SFUSD, SF Tenants Union, SF Chamber of Commerce, MEDA, SPUR
 
NO: SF Libertarian Party 
 
Proposition B: Parcel Tax. 
Increase the parcel tax for property owners from $79 to $99 for 15 years to fund City College of San Francisco. 2/3 required to pass.
 
YES: SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, State Sen. Mark Leno, SF Chronicle, SF Examiner, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, SEIU 1021, SF Tenants Union, MEDA, SPUR
 
NO: SF Republican Party, SF Libertarian Party, SF Chamber of Commerce 
 
Proposition C: Affordable Housing. 
Issue about $261 million in bonds to finance the acquisition and rehabilitation of property for conversion to affordable housing. 2/3 required to pass.
 
YES: SF Democratic Party, SF Mayor Ed Lee, State Sen. Mark Leno, SF Chronicle, SF Examiner, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, SEIU 1021, SF Tenants Union, MEDA, SPUR, Chinatown Community Development Center, Sierra Club
 
NO: SF Green Party, SF Libertarian Party 
 
Proposition D: Vacancy Appointments. 
Implement a deadline for vacancy appointments and elections, along with a ban on running for office in that election.
 
YES: SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, SF Libertarian Party, Supervisor Jane Kim, SF Examiner, SF Bay Guardian, SEIU 1021, SF Tenants Union, Sierra Club, Harvey Milk LGBT Club
 
NO: SF Republican Party, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, Assemblyman David Chiu, Supervisor Scott Weiner, SF Chronicle, Bay Area Reporter, SF Chamber of Commerce, SPUR 
 
Proposition E: Sidewalk Maintenance. 
Transfer responsibility for tree maintenance on sidewalks from property owners to the City.
 
YES: SF Democratic Party, SF Republican Party, SF Green Party, SF Libertarian Party, Assemblyman David Chiu, SF Mayor Ed Lee, all 11 Board of Supervisors, SF Bay Guardian, SF Examiner, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, SEIU 1021, SF Tenants Union, SF Chamber of Commerce, SPUR, Sierra Club
 
NO: SF Chronicle 
 
Proposition F: Youth Voting. 
Permit U.S. citizens aged 16 and up to vote on local candidates and ballot measures.
 
YES: SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, State Sen. Mark Leno, SF Examiner, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, SEIU 1021, SF Tenants Union, MEDA, SPUR, Harvey Milk LGBT Club
 
NO: SF Republican Party, SF Libertarian Party, SF Chronicle, SF Chamber of Commerce 
 
Proposition G: Police Oversight. 
Empower the Department of Police Accountability to review SFPD policies and misconduct claims.
 
YES: SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, SF Libertarian Party, all 11 Board of Supervisors, SF Chronicle, SF Examiner, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, SEIU 1021, SF Tenants Union, MEDA, SF Bike Coalition, SPUR
 
NO: -none- 
 
Proposition H: Public Advocate. 
Create the position of Public Advocate, along with a staff of at least 25 people, to investigate public complaints on City services and programs.
 
YES: SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, State Sen. Mark Leno, Assemblyman Phil Ting, Supervisor Jane Kim, SF Examiner, SF Bay Guardian, SEIU 1021, SF Tenants Union, Sierra Club, Harvey Milk LGBT Club
 
NO: SF Republican Party, SF Libertarian Party, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, Supervisor Scott Wiener, SF Chronicle, Bay Area Reporter, SF Chamber of Commerce, SPUR 
 
Proposition I: Funding for Elderly and Disabled. 
Set aside $38 million annually, plus scheduled increases, from the General Fund to pay for the Department of Aging and Adult Services.
 
YES: SF Democratic Party, SF Examiner, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, SEIU 1021, SF Tenants Union, MEDA, SF Chamber of Commerce
 
NO: SF Republican Party, SF Green Party, SF Libertarian Party, SF Chronicle, SPUR 
 
Proposition J: Funding for Homelessness and Transportation. 
Set aside $152 million annually, plus scheduled increases, from the General Fund to pay for the Department of Homelessness & Supportive Housing and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.
 
YES: SF Democratic Party, SF Mayor Ed Lee, SF Chronicle, SF Examiner, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, SF Tenants Union, SF Bike Coalition, SPUR
 
NO: SF Republican Party, SF Green Party, SF Libertarian Party, SEIU 1021 
 
Proposition K: Sales Tax. 
Increase the City's sales tax from 8.5% to 9.25%.
 
YES: SF Democratic Party, SF Chronicle, SF Examiner, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, SF Tenants Union, SF Bike Coalition, SPUR
 
NO: SF Republican Party, SF Green Party, SF Libertarian Party, SF Chamber of Commerce, Harvey Milk LGBT Club 
 
Proposition L: Municipal Transportation Agency. 
Split power to appoint SFMTA directors between the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors, and reduce the number of Board votes required to reject the SFMTA budget.
 
YES: SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, SF Libertarian Party, Supervisor Jane Kim, SF Examiner, SF Bay Guardian, SEIU 1021, SF Tenants Union, MEDA, Sierra Club, Harvey Milk LGBT Club
 
NO: SF Republican Party, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, Supervisor Scott Weiner, SF Chronicle, Bay Area Reporter, SF Bike Coalition, SF Chamber of Commerce, SPUR 
 
Proposition M: Housing and Development Commission. 
Create the Housing and Development Commission to oversee two new departments created from existing offices.
 
YES: SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, Supervisor Jane Kim, SF Examiner, SF Bay Guardian, SF Tenants Union, MEDA, Chinese Community Development Center, Sierra Club, Harvey Milk LGBT Club
 
NO: SF Republican Party, SF Libertarian Party, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, Supervisor Scott Weiner, SF Chronicle, Bay Area Reporter, SEIU 1021, SF Chamber of Commerce, SPUR 
 
Proposition N: Non-Citizen Voting. 
Permit non-citizen parents to vote for members of the Board of Education.
 
YES: SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, SF Libertarian Party, State Sen. Mark Leno, Assemblymen David Chiu and Phil Ting, SF Examiner, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, SEIU 1021, SF Tenants Union, MEDA, SPUR
 
NO: SF Republican Party, SF Chronicle, SF Chamber of Commerce 
 
Proposition O: Office Development in Candlestick Point and Hunters Point. 
Exempt Candlestick Point and Hunters Point from the City's annual office development limit.
 
YES: SF Democratic Party, SF Republican Party, SF Libertarian Party, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Assemblymen David Chiu and Phil Ting, SF Mayor Ed Lee, SF Chronicle, SF Examiner, Bay Area Reporter, SF Chamber of Commerce, Chinese Community Development Center, SPUR, Harvey Milk LGBT Club
 
NO: SF Green Party, SF Bay Guardian, SEIU 1021, SF Tenants Union, MEDA 
 
Proposition P: Affordable Housing Bids. 
Proceed with an affordable housing project on City-owned property only if at least three proposals are submitted.
 
YES: SF Republican Party, SF Libertarian Party, National Association of Realtors, SF Chamber of Commerce
 
NO: SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, State Sen. Mark Leno, SF Chronicle, SF Examiner, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, SEIU 1021, Chinese Development Community Center, SF Tenants Union, MEDA, SPUR, Sierra Club 
 
Proposition Q: Sidewalk Tents. 
Prohibit sidewalk tents, and permit the removal of unauthorized tents after 24-hour notice and an offer of shelter.
 
YES: SF Republican Party, Supervisor Scott Weiner, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Police Officers Association
 
NO: SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, State Sen. Mark Leno, Supervisor Jane Kim, SF Chronicle, SF Examiner, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, SEIU 1021, SF Tenants Union, MEDA, Harvey Milk LGBT Club 
 
Proposition R: Neighborhood Crime Unit. 
Create a Neighborhood Crime Unit in the SFPD to investigate crimes.
 
YES: SF Republican Party, Mayor Ed Lee, Supervisor Scott Weiner, SF Chamber of Commerce, Alice B Toklas LGBT Club
 
NO: SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, SF Chronicle, SF Examiner, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, SEIU 1021, SF Tenants Union, MEDA 
 
Proposition S: Hotel Tax Funds. 
Use the existing 8% hotel base tax for arts programs and family homeless services. 2/3 required to pass.
 
YES: SF Democratic Party, State Sen. Mark Leno, Assemblymen David Chiu and Phil Ting, SF Examiner, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, SEIU 1021, SF Tenants Union, MEDA
 
NO: SF Republican Party, SF Green Party, SF Libertarian Party, SF Chronicle, SF Chamber of Commerce, Alice B Toklas LGBT Club 
 
Proposition T: Lobbyist Contributions. 
Prohibit lobbyists from giving gifts or campaign contributions to a City official.
 
YES: SF Democratic Party, SF Republican Party, SF Green Party, State Sen. Mark Leno, Assemblymen David Chiu and Phil Ting, SF Chronicle, SF Examiner, SF Bay Guardian, SEIU 1021, SF Tenants Union, MEDA, Sierra Club
 
NO: Bay Area Reporter, SPUR 
 
Proposition U: Affordable Housing Income Limits. 
Increase the income limit for affordable housing from 55% to 110% of area median income.
 
YES: SF Republican Party, Sing Tao Daily, National Association of Realtors, SF Chamber of Commerce
 
NO: SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, SF Libertarian Party, State Sen. Mark Leno, SF Chronicle, SF Examiner, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, SEIU 1021, Chinatown Community Development Center, SF Tenants Union, MEDA, SPUR, Sierra Club 
 
Proposition V: Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax. 
Add a tax of one cent per ounce on the distribution of beverages with added sugar and 25 or more calories per 12 ounces.
 
YES: SF Democratic Party, SF Mayor Ed Lee, Supervisor Scott Weiner, former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, SF Chronicle, SF Examiner, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, American Heart Association, MEDA, SPUR, Sierra Club
 
NO: SF Republican Party, SF Libertarian Party, Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT), Supervisor Jane Kim, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, SF Tenants Union, Harvey Milk LGBT Club 
 
Proposition W: Real Estate Transfer Tax. 
Increase the transfer tax on sales of properties over $5 million by 0.25%.
 
YES: SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, State Sen. Mark Leno, Assemblymen David Chiu and Phil Ting, SF Bay Guardian, SF Examiner, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, Sing Tao Daily, SEIU 1021, Chinatown Community Development Center, SF Tenants Union, MEDA, Sierra Club, Harvey Milk LGBT Club
 
NO: SF Republican Party, SF Libertarian Party, SF Chronicle, SF Chamber of Commerce, SPUR 
 
Proposition X: Neighborhood Arts Space. 
Require developers in parts of the Mission and South of Market neighborhoods to build replacement space for the arts, light industrial, and community needs.
 
YES: SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, SF Bay Guardian, SF Examiner, Sing Tao Daily, SF Tenants Union, MEDA, Sierra Club
 
NO: SF Republican Party, SF Libertarian Party, SF Chronicle, Bay Area Reporter, SF Chamber of Commerce, SPUR, Alice B Toklas LGBT Club 
 
District Measure RR: BART Improvements. 
Issue $3.5 billion in bonds to improve BART reliability and upgrade its infrastructure. 2/3 required to pass.
 
YES: SF Democratic Party, SF Green Party, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, State Sen. Mark Leno, SF Mayor Ed Lee, SF Chronicle, SF Examiner, SF Bay Guardian, Bay Area Reporter, SF Bike Coalition, Sierra Club, SF Chamber of Commerce, SPUR 
 
NO: SF Libertarian Party