Californians, YOU have the chance to MAKE HISTORY this November 2nd. On this year’s ballot there will be nine State Measures, ranging from mundane democratic reforms to critical environmental support to a culture-shifting Proposition that will have effects far wider than the state boundaries. Before I give you my choices, feel free to click HERE for a non-partisan breakdown of the propositions, by the League of Women Voters. Now let’s get into it.

Vote YES on Proposition 19.

This is the big one folks. Prop 19 would legalize the personal possession, cultivation and transportation of marijuana, and would set up a showdown with Federal law. I support this proposition because the drug war is by all accounts an abject failure – a horrific waste of money and lives that has not had one iota of impact on the global drug trade and only supports the massive military industrial complex and foreign despots and criminals. Legalizing pot will be a huge weight lifted off the shoulders of law enforcement as well as the state court and prison system, and will be a huge blow to the brutal Mexican drug cartels. The taxes raised from the legal, above-board sale and distribution will be more than enough to pay for added drug-treatment centers, education, and other uses. In addition, we can expect to see a Supreme Court fight that could lead to broader decriminalization/legalization. Make history – vote YES on Prop 19.

Vote NO on Proposition 20 and NO on Proposition 27.

These two, related Measures concern the complicated and corrosive process of congressional and local redistricting. Historically, elected representatives “rig” the district lines every ten years (after the census) to conform to their party, which helps entrench incumbent power by consolidating their supporters while dividing their opponents. In 2008, CA voters passed a proposition to create a 14-member, bipartisan commission to establish Assembly, Senate and Board of Equalization districts – a step in the right direction. However, I believe we have not yet gotten conclusive evidence that this commission is cost-effective or actually improves fairness, and it should not be given the additional power to redraw congressional districts at this time. Let’s give them more time to prove themselves by voting NO on Prop 27, which would take away all of their authority, but also voting NO on Prop 20, which would give them more power.

Vote YES on Proposition 21.

This would establish an additional $18 surcharge on your car registration in order to help fund state parks and wildlife programs. Everyone hates taxes, I know, but the CA State Park system is one of the best in the nation, and is currently underfunded. This prop would offset over $200 million of other funding sources currently being used, and anyone who pays gets a free pass. We all need to spend a little more time outdoors, and this is the perfect kick in the pants. Get outside and play in the state parks! Vote YES on Prop 21.

Proposition 22 – no strong opinion, probably NO.

I don’t really know who would go to all the trouble to collect the tens of thousands of signatures necessary to get this one on the ballot, but basically it would further restrict the state government from moving funds from transportation, redevelopment or local government projects and giving it to, say, education or some other area, even in a budgetary emergency. It’s one group of state employees versus another, and I think we can do without the additional restrictions on the legislature’s ability to pay the bills when/where they come up, so I will probably vote NO. However, if you’re the kind of person that thinks tax money should only go to EXACTLY where it was originally slated for (keep in mind none of us actually get to decide where it goes in the first place), then vote YES.

Vote NO on Proposition 23.

This one is absolutely 100% critical to defeat, both for personal as well as economic and environmental reasons. The supporters are two Texas oil companies, Valero and Tesoro, that simply do not want to see their market share of the energy supply in the state to go down. They only care about profits. At stake, however, is the burgeoning green-tech/renewable energy sector, which is the fastest growing industry in the state and has the potential to provide thousands of in-state jobs for decades into the future, including MINE. The passage of Prop 23 would also kill clean air standards in the state, and if you think our air quality is bad now, just wait until you’re choking on smog and drowning in acid rain. Stand up for environmental progress and the clean-energy economy, VOTE NO ON PROP 23!

Proposition 24 – no strong opinion, possibly YES.

This measure would repeal a tax cut for some businesses that gave them some flexibility in terms of what they can write off as losses, what state their income is taxed in (if operating in multiple states), and the ability to transfer tax credits to other businesses. This flexibility likely has some positive effect on some business areas, but the state could also probably use the $1.3 billion the measure would reclaim. I am in favor of a friendly business climate, as that will increase economic growth and jobs, but the education system in CA is one of its most vital resources, and needs the funding too. I would love to see some education reform, but until then I don’t think we can keep starving the children of their right to decent public schools. So, probably vote YES on Prop 24.

Vote YES on Proposition 25.

Another pretty critical vote, which will help to break the budget deadlock that has been so brutal this year. Currently the CA legislature requires a 2/3 majority vote to pass a budget, which, as is readily evident from our disfunctional national Senate, gives the minority party undue power to hold the budget hostage until their special demands are met (usually money for their districts). Passing this measure would withhold the lawmakers’ salaries until they do their damn jobs and pass the budget. Keep in mind that a 2/3 majority would still be required to raise taxes, so you can be rest assured that they wont go up very easily. Help democracy do its job – vote YES on Prop 25.

Vote NO on Proposition 26.

This is the “rename business fees as taxes” measure, which is an underhanded way for corporate interests to avoid paying for potential damages to society or the environment. If the fees are reclassified as taxes, which everyone hates, then the legislature will require a 2/3 majority to impose them, thus making them unlikely to be assigned. The reason you should vote NO is because the government needs the power to assess fees for the ill effects of business when and where they occur. In addition, the power to impose fees is the most direct and effective way to address underfunded state assets, such as entrance to state parks or continuing garbage service. So, vote NO on Prop 26.

In summary:

19 – YES!

20&27 – NO

21 – YES

22 – no?

23 – NO, NO, A HUNDRED TIMES NO!

24 – yes?

25 – YES!

26 – NO