Endorsements Grid for Measures on the 2014 General Election Ballot
Editorial Comment.
By Keith Boyum – October 2014
A. The Legislature versus Petitions. In general, voters should be more inclined to trust, more inclined to say yes, to measures placed on the
ballot by the legislature, in contrast to measures reaching the ballot via petition.
Why?
Well, consider what happens at the grocery store when you are asked to sign a petition. There is no hearing; no careful pro and con
opportunity; no voice for other points of view; and no opportunity to amend a proposed measure that may otherwise include provisions that
are unfair, biased, or tilted toward one side or one view.
In contrast, measures placed on the ballot by the legislature have been publically heard; many opinions have been brought forward;
amendments are typical and usually constitute policy improvements; unfair “grabs” buried deep in the 45th paragraph of a proposed
measure are rare. In my view, voters should be wary of saying yes to measures placed on the ballot by petition, and should, when in doubt,
vote no.
B. Why Newspaper Endorsements Matter. It is often worth paying particular attention to the endorsements of newspapers, and of the
League of Women Voters.
Why?
Well, newspapers commonly think of themselves as tribunes of the people (indeed, that is a frequent newspaper moniker). In ancient Rome,
elected officials called Tribunes held the power to intervene on behalf of the plebians (the working / lower classes) to veto unfavorable (and
arguably unfair) legislation passed by the invariably patrician senate. Newspapers can fall short of this calling, of course, but it’s important
that they think of their endorsement role in this way, and often try to act high-mindedly. Newspapers also typically have partisan or
ideological leanings, which matter. Thus it’s suitable to review several papers, not just one, and to understand the partisan inclinations of
the various editorial boards. The League, of course, is famous for nonpartisan study, consideration, and high-minded recommendations
concerning matters of public policy, including ballot measures.
Proposi-tion
Placed on
the ballot
by:
1
Legislature
2
Legislature
45
Petition
46
Petition
47
Petition
48
Referendum
- Petition
brought by
opponents
Brief
Summary
$7.545b water bond.
Establishes Budget Stabilization
Account. Half of revenues must be
used to pay state debt. Other
provisions for fiscal restraint.
Requires Insurance Comm’r approval
before health insurer can change its
rates; other similar provisions.
Drug, alcohol tests for MD’s; raises
malpractice pain & suffering ceiling.
Requires misdemeanor sentence
instead of felony for certain drug &
property offenses.
Would approve tribal gaming compacts; a least one new Madera Co.
casino would be built. Some $
benefit to Madera County local govts.
Other
L
A
O
C
S
F
S
A
C
S L C
D W C
V C
D
E
M
R
E
P
K
B
D
S
Passed Senate unanimously
Passed Assembly 77-2
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Y
Passed legislature
unanimously (in both
houses).
Y
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
Y
Y
N
N N N N N
Y
Y
N N
Y
N N N N N
N
Interacts with Obamacare in
ways that parties dispute.
Would be first tribal casinos
built off of reservation lands.
Compacts were negotiated &
approved by Gov &
legislature.
Y
Y
Y
N N
Y
N N N N
Y
Y
N N
Y
Y
N
Y
N
KEY
LA = Los Angeles Times – generally supports Democrats – somewhat left of center.
OC = Orange County Register – Libertarian –supports Republicans – very right of center.
SF = San Francisco Chronicle – supports Democrats – left of center.
SAC = Sacramento Bee – somewhat left of center; takes special interest in state politics, being in the state capital.
SD = San Diego Union-Tribune – definitely Republican.
LWV = League of Women Voters – determinedly nonpartisan.
CCC = California Impact, the advocacy arm of the California Council of Churches – progressive, social justice-minded, left of center.
DEM = California Democratic Party endorsements.
KB = Keith Boyum, Professor of Political Science Emeritus, CSU Fullerton – registered Democrat.
DS = David Smith, Professor of Sociology, UC Irvine; recent former chair, IUCC Advocates for Peace & Justice – registered Democrat.
Y = recommended Yes vote, or personal intention to vote Yes.
N = recommended No vote, or personal intention to vote No.
Y
Y
Y
N