As votes are counted and completed, California propositions hold the future for some people. Viking News reviewed the status of each proposition as of Thursday, and what it means as a result.
Proposition 14
A yes on Proposition 14 will approve a 5.5 million bond to continue with stem cell research. The current count is at 1,650,304 for yes, and 1,497,780 for no. This is a citizen-initiated measure.
Cal Matter reports, “The institute is close to broke and wants to borrow $5.5 billion. No more than 7.5% could be spent on administrative overhead, and about 27% would be dedicated to brain and central nervous system diseases, like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. It would cost the state an estimated $7.8 billion over 30 years, but the institute presumably would close otherwise.”
A no on Prop 14 would end funding for stem cell research which has been going on since 2004.
In 2004, Prop 71 was approved and created the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. It approved a bond measure of $3 billion.
Proposition 15
Proposition 15 is also on the ballot due to citizen-initiated efforts. A yes on Prop 15 would end tax-breaks for commercial and industrial properties. Right now homes and businesses pay taxes based on the value of purchase and not the current value.
This is based on Prop 13 which was passed in 1978. Approval of Prop 15 would repeal Prop 13 and money earned would be used to fund schools, community colleges, and governments. A possible issue with this is that amid the coronavirus raising taxes on property can be detrimental.
Proposition 16
Proposition 16 has officially failed to pass according to the LA Times. A total of 6,563,037 votes for no and 5,148,954 votes for yes. This proposition did not pass so that means it will not allow affirmative action to return. In other words, gender, race, and ethnicity cannot be used to factor in decisions for admission, hiring, or spending from universities and government offices.
Proposition 17
Proposition 17 has passed and it will allow parolees to vote and run for office, with 6,988,868 votes for yes on Prop 17 and 4,845,327 votes for no.
Parolees who are registered to vote and have not been convicted of perjury or bribery can run for office.
Sacramento Democratic Assembly member Kevin McCarty passed a bill to place this measure on the ballot. Supporters of this bill include: League of Women Voters in California, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Californians for Safety and Justice.
Proposition 18
Proposition 18 would allow some 17-year olds to vote. So far, there are 6,535,783 votes against it and 5,323,125 votes approving it. If this proposition passes, it will allow 17-year olds to vote in the primary election if they will be 18-years old and eligible for the general election.
Proposition 19
Passing of Proposition 19 would add and subtract property tax breaks. A current count of 5,985,513 voted yes on Prop 19 and 5,642,079 voted no.
This measure will allow Californians who are 55 years old or older to receive a tax break when buying a new home. In order to fund that tax break it would create a separate tax break on california residents who inherit homes from parents or grandparents. This separate tax break would be imposed only if the heir is living in the inherited home. If the heir decides to rent the home to renters or offer it on Airbnb then the tax break will not apply. In essence, this measure gives older individuals to retain low property taxes.
Proposition 20
Proposition 20 did not pass, with a total of 7,220,298 votes against it and 4,365,342 votes approving it. This measure would be tougher on parole and property crimes. This was placed on the ballot by citizen-initiative.
Law enforcement agencies and police unions heavily financed this proposition according to CalMatters. Furthermore, this measure would’ve increased penalties for such former inmates who violate their supervised release three times which makes it easier to send them back to jail or prison.
Proposition 21
Proposition 21 has failed, which would have revised rent control. It failed to pass with 6,999,147 votes against it and 4,715,671 votes for it. Since it failed to pass, cities will not be able to pass rent control measures on almost all rental housing, as long as it’s more than 15 years old. This measure is also on the ballot due to citizen signatures.
Proposition 22
Proposition 22 has passed with a total of 6,906,792 votes in favor and 4,916,778 against it.
The prop passing means companies like Uber and Lyft are exempted from treating workers like employees and continue to treat them as independent contractors.
As an employee, one can receive sick paid-leave, healthcare, unemployment insurance and workers compensation. For California specifically, Lyft said in their blog, “Millions of people voted for Prop 22 to redefine what independent work looks like for drivers. Now that it has passed, we will be able to give drivers the new benefits they want and keep rideshare available for people around the state.”
Proposition 23
Proposition 23 has failed to pass, with 7,522,291 votes against it and 4,233,849 in favor. This measure aimed to change kidney dialysis rules by making it obligatory for at least one physician to be present during all operating hours, then, report any infection data to the state.
This prop was also added on the ballot through citizen signatures. The proposition passing would’ve made it a requirment for operators to receive approval from the state’s health deparmtent before closing a clinic and not allow discrimination on patients based in insurance type.
Proposition 24
Proposition 24 amends new consumer privacy laws. The proposition passed with 6,529,712 votes in favor and 5,111,686 votes against it. Since it passed, consumers can tell businesses to limit the use of sensitive data, prohibiting businesses from holding onto data for longer than necessary, allowing the government to fine companies $7,500 for violating children’s privacy rights, and creating a new state agency to enforce privacy law.
Proposition 25
The aim of Prop 25 was to change how people get out of jail. It would replace cash bail with a new system that would assess the person’s risk of not appearing at trial. The proposition failed to pass with 6,544,092 votes against it and 5,238,620 votes in favor. The bail bonds industry highly opposed this measure.
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