VOTE WITH LEAGUE

Redistricting, Bond Issues, High Speed Trains, Abortion, Marraige. All these questions and more are on the ballot. The answers will make a difference to your life. Vote on election day Nov 4, 2008 and say what you think. You sort out the issues.

Key Dates to Vote November 4, 2008.  Easy Voter Guide.  Prop A..  State Props.

Key Dates to Vote November 4, 2008

• Register to Vote by October 20,2008
  
• Sample ballots mailed beginning September 25, 2008
  
• Last day to apply for mail ballot is October 28, 2008
  
• VOTE BY MAIl begins October 6, 2008
  
• VOTE TUESDAY NOVEMBER 4, 2008
  

Click here to find out if you ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE and/or to WHICH PARTY???

California voters have lots of choices to make on election day besides who will be president. Don't leave those choices to pollsters and pundits. Vote on November 4, 2008. Polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information call the Registrar of Voters 858-565-5800, the League of Women Voters 760-736-1608, or view the Smart Voter website.

Easy Voter Guide

Whether you are a new voter or a busy voter, voting can be as easy as 1-2-3:

• Sign up to vote
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• Go vote! The Easy Voter Guide Project provides information about registering and voting in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Armenian, Japanese, Tagalog and Korean. We also provide answers to many frequently asked questions about voting and what happens on election day.

Voters have a lot of control over how and when they vote. You can choose to:

• vote in person or with a vote by mail ballot
• vote early or on election day
• vote on just a few things on your ballot or all of them
  

Some people have the mistaken impression that voting is like taking a test. Instead, it is an opportunity to be heard on the issues that matter most to you, your family and your community. Voting is free and it's every citizen's right!

The Easy Voter Guide

Special Election By Mail: Local Proposition A

Tri City Healthcare District

Important Dates
July 28, 2008 First Day Mail Ballots will be available.
August 11, 2008 Last Day to Register To Vote on Prop A.
August 26, 2008 Election Day

• PROP A: A bond of $589 million for hospital improvement.
  
• 67% of elegible voters required to pass.
  NOTE:A ballot will be sent to every elegible voter on July 28. This packet will contain an official ballot, and a sample ballot, with information about the proposition, along with a postage-paid envelope for returning the ballot to the Registrar of Voters Office. Please call 858-565-5800 for additional information.

California State Propositions November 4, 2008

• Prop 1: Safe,Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond for the 21st Century
  Existing law creates the High-Speed Rail Authority with the responsibility of directing the development and implementation of intercity high-speed rail service. This bill would enact the Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act for the 21st Century, which, subject to voter approval, would provide for the issuance of $9.95 billion of general obligation bonds, $9 billion of which would be used in conjunction with available federal funds for the purpose of funding the planning and construction of a high-speed train system in this state pursuant to the business plan of the authority. Nine hundred fifty million dollars of the bond proceeds would be available for capital projects on other passenger rail lines to provide connectivity to the high-speed train system and for capacity enhancements and safety improvements to those lines. Bonds for the high-speed train system would not be issued earlier than January 1,
  2006. The bill would provide for the submission of the bond act to the voters at the general election on November 2, 2004.
  The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
  

(a) In light of the events of September 11, 2001, it is very clear that a high-speed passenger train network as described in the High-Speed Rail Authority's Business Plan is essential for the transportation needs of the growing population and economic activity of this state.
(b) The initial high-speed train network linking San Francisco and the Bay Area to Los Angeles will serve as the backbone of what will become an extensive 700-mile system that will link all of the state's major population centers, including Sacramento,the Bay Area, the Central Valley, Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, Orange County, and San Diego, and address the needs of the state.

(c) The initial network from San Francisco and the Bay Area Bay Area to Southern California could be in limited operation by 2008.

(d) The high-speed passenger train bond funds are intended to encourage the federal government and the private sector to make a significant contribution toward the construction of the high-speed train network.

(e) The initial segments shall be built in a manner that yields maximum benefit consistent with available revenues.

(f) After the initial investment from the state, operating revenues from the initial segments and funds from the federal government and the private sector will be used to pay for expansion of the system. It is the intent of the Legislature that the entire high- speed train system shall be constructed as quickly as possible in order to maximize ridership and the mobility of Californians.

(g) At a minimum, the entire 700-mile system described in the High-Speed Rail Authority's Business Plan should be constructed and in revenue service by 2020.

• Prop 2: Treatment of Farm animals Statute
  Requires that an enclosure or tether confining specified farm animals allow the animals for the majority of every day to fully extend their limbs or wings, lie down, stand up, and turn around. Specified animals include calves raised for veal, egg-laying hens, and pregnant pigs. Exceptions made for transportation, rodeos, fairs, 4-H programs, lawful slaughter, research and veterinary purposes. Provides misdemeanor penalties, including a fine not to exceed $1,000 and/or imprisonment in jail for up to 180 days.
  

• Prop 3: Children's Hospital Bond Act, Grant Program, Statue
  Authorizes $980,million in bonds, to be repaid from state's General Fund, to fund the construction, expansion, remodeling, renovation, furnishing and equipping of children's hospitals. Designates that 80 percent of bond proceeds go to hospitals that focus on children with illnesses such as leukemia, cancer, heart defects, diabetes, sickle cell anemia and cystic fibrosis. Requires that qualifying children's hospitals provide comprehensive services to a high volume of children eligible for governmental programs and meet other requirements. Designates that 20 percent of bond proceeds go to University of California general acute care hospitals. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: State costs of about $2 billion over 30 years to pay off both the principal ($980 million) and the interest ($1 billion) costs of the bond. Payments of about $67 million per year.
  

• Prop 4: Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor's Pregnancy. Constitutional Amenment.
  Amends California Constitution to prohibit abortion for unemancipated minor until 48 hours after physician notifies minor's parent, legal guardian or, if parental abuse reported, an adult family member. Provides exceptions for medical emergency or parental waiver. Permits courts to waive notice based on clear and convincing evidence of minor's maturity or best interests. Mandates reporting requirements, including reports from physicians regarding abortions on minors. Authorizes monetary damages against physicians for violation. Requires minor's consent to abortion, with exceptions. Permits judicial relief if minor's consent is coerced. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: Potential unknown net state costs of several million dollars annually for health and social services programs, court administration, and state health agency administration combined.
  

• Prop 5: Nonviolent Offenders. Sentencing, Parole, and Rehabilition. Statue
  Requires State to expand and increase funding and oversight for individualized treatment and rehabilitation programs for nonviolent drug offenders and parolees. Reduces criminal consequences of nonviolent drug offenses by mandating three-tiered probation with treatment and by providing for case dismissal and/or sealing of records after probation. Limits court's authority to incarcerate offenders who violate probation or parole. Shortens parole for most drug offenses, including sales, and for nonviolent property crimes. Creates numerous divisions, boards, commissions, and reporting requirements regarding drug treatment and rehabilitation. Changes certain marijuana misdemeanors to infractions. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: Increased state costs that could exceed $1 billion annually primarily for expanding drug treatment and rehabilitation programs for offenders in state prisons, on parole, and in the community. Savings to the state that could exceed $1 billion annually due primarily to reduced prison and parole operating costs. Net savings on a one-time basis on capital outlay costs for prison facilities that could exceed $2.5 billion. Unknown net fiscal effect on expenditures for county operations and capital outlay.
  

• Prop 6: Criminal Penalties and Laws. Safety Funding. Statute
  Requires new state spending on various programs to combat crime and gangs, and to operate prison and parole systems. Increases penalties for several crimes, including violating gang injunctions, using or possessing to sell methamphetamine, or carrying loaded or concealed firearms by certain felons. Eliminates bail for illegal immigrants charged with violent or gang-related felonies, establishes crime for removing or disabling a monitoring device affixed as part of a criminal sentence, and changes evidence rules to allow use of certain hearsay statements as evidence when witnesses are unavailable. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: Net state costs likely to exceed a half billion dollars annually primarily for increased funding of criminal justice programs, as well as for increased costs for prison and parole operations. Unknown one-time state capital outlay costs potentially exceeding a half billion dollars for prison facilities. Unknown net fiscal impact for state trial courts, county jails, and other local criminal justice agencies.
  

• Prop 7: Renewable Energy. Statute
  Requires all utilities, including government-owned utilities, to generate 20% of their power from renewable energy by 2010, a standard currently applicable only to private electrical corporations. Raises requirement for all utilities to 40% by 2020 and 50% by 2025. Imposes penalties for noncompliance. Fast-tracks approval for new renewable energy plants. Requires utilities to sign longer contracts (20 year minimum) to procure renewable energy. Creates Solar and Clean Energy Transmission Account to purchase property or rights of way for renewable energy. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: State administrative costs of up to $3.4 million annually for the regulatory activities of the Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission and the California Public Utilities Commission, paid for by fee revenues. Potential, unknown increased costs and reduced revenues, particularly in the short term, to state and local governments resulting from the measure's potential to increase retail electricity rates, with possible offsetting cost savings and revenue increases, to an unknown degree, over the long term to the extent the measure hastens renewable energy development.
  

• Prop 8: Limit on Marraige. Constitutional Amendment
  Amends the California Constitution to provide that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: The measure would have no fiscal effect on state or local governments. This is because there would be no change to the manner in which marriages are currently recognized by the state.
  

• Prop 9: Criminal Justice System. Victim's Rights. Parole. Constitional Amendment and Statute.
  Requires notification to victim and opportunity for input during phases of criminal justice process, including bail, pleas, sentencing and parole. Establishes victim safety as consideration in determining bail or release on parole. Increases the number of people permitted to attend and testify on behalf of victims at parole hearings. Reduces the number of parole hearings to which prisoners are entitled. Requires that victims receive written notification of their constitutional rights. Establishes timelines and procedures concerning parole revocation hearings. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: Unknown potential increases in state prison and county jail operating costs due to provisions restricting early release of inmates. To the extent that any such costs were incurred, they could collectively amount to hundreds of millions of dollars annually. A potential net savings in the low tens of millions of dollars for the administration of parole reviews and revocations if the changes related to parole revocation procedures were not overturned by potential legal challenges.
  

• Prop 10: Bonds. Alternative Fuel Vehicals and Renewable Energy. Statue
  Authorizes $5 billion in bonds paid from state's General Fund, allocated approximately as follows: 58% in cash payments of between $2,000 and $50,000 to purchasers of certain high fuel economy and alternative fuel vehicles; 20% in incentives for research, development and production of renewable energy technology; 11% in incentives for research and development of alternative fuel vehicle technology; 5% in incentives for purchase of renewable energy technology; 4% in grants to eight cities for education about these technologies; and 3% in grants to colleges to train students in these technologies. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: State costs of about $9.8 billion over 30 years to pay both the principal ($5 billion) and interest ($4.8 billion) costs on the bond. Payments of about $325 million per year. Increase in state sales tax revenues of an unknown amount, potentially totaling in the tens of millions of dollars, over the period from 2009 to beyond 2018. Increase in local sales tax and VLF revenues of an unknown amount, potentially totaling in the tens of millions of dollars, over the period from 2009 to about 2018-19. Potential state costs of up to about $10 million annually, through about 2018 -19, for state agency administrative costs not funded by the measure.
  

• Prop 11: Redistricting. Constitutional Amendment and Statue.
  Every 10 years, after the census, new boundary lines for Congress and CA Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization districts are drawn. Currently, the CA State Legislature draws those lines. This is a major conflict of interest.
  How would California Voters FIRST Act change redistricting?
  14-Person Citizens Redistricting Commission. The California Voters FIRST Act would create a politically balanced Commission - 5 Democrats, 5 Republicans, 4 others. Commissioners would be chosen for their impartiality, skills, and to reflect our State's demographic and geographic diversity.
  Protecting communities, cities, and counties. The California Voters FIRST Act would create a list of prioritized mapping criteria for the Commission to follow. This would ensure that our Constitution, federal and state laws are followed. California's communities, cities, and counties must be respected.
  Open and public process. The Commission would hold hearings to receive public input. The California Voters FIRST Act would end the closed-door political deals by legislators to draw districts that protect themselves.
  How would the Commission be formed?
  California registered voters are invited to participate.
  A pool of 60 (20 Ds, 20 Rs, 20 others) is selected based on their skills, ability to be impartial, and diversity by a review panel of state auditors (1D, 1R, 1 other).
  The 4 Legislative Leaders can strike up to 24 people from the pool.
  Out of the remaining pool, 8 Commissioners are randomly picked - 3 Democrats, 3 Republicans, 2 others.
  The final 6 Commissioners (2 Ds, 2 Rs, 2 others) are chosen by the 8 Commissioners from the remaining pool based on the balance of skills and diversity they would bring.
  What Mapping Criteria would the Commission have to follow?
  In ranked order, the criteria are:
  a. Districts shall comply with the US Constitution, including equal population requirements.
  b. Districts shall comply with the Voting Rights Act.
  c. Districts shall be geographically contiguous.
  d. The geographic integrity of any city, county, or city and county, neighborhoods, or communities of interest shall be respected. Communities of interest shall not be defined as having a relationship with incumbents, candidates, or parties.
  e. To the extent possible, after the above criteria have been satisfied, districts shall be compact.
  f. To the extent possible, after the above criteria have been satisfied, districts shall be nested. Incumbent residences may not be considered; districts may not be drawn to favor politicians or parties.
  What is the scope of the Citizen's Redistricting Commission?
  The Commission will draw California Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization seats in the next redistricting, 2011 and after each decennial census.
  The State Legislature will draw Congressional seats, following the same mapping criteria and hearing requirements as the Commission.

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