Election 2006

This amendment to the state Constitution would place tighter rules on eminent domain property takeovers. It would also require government to pay property owners for new rules or laws that result in substantial economic losses to that property, such as limitations on development. Current rules require the governments to pay if their actions result in a complete loss of all beneficial uses of that property. The costs to the state are unknown, but it could be significant. Learn more

This measure would make sweeping changes to political campaigns in the state. First, it would pave the way for candidates for state-level offices to receive public financing for their election campaigns, if they qualified. And to pay for the measure, taxes on corporations would be raised from 8.84 percent to 9.04 percent and taxes on financial institutions would be raised from 10.84 percent to 11.04 percent. This would bring in an estimated $200 million per year. Second, the measure places caps on donations from individuals, groups, corporations, political parties. These caps would apply to both candidates and ballot measures. Learn more

This proposition proposes a $50 per parcel of property tax that would go to K-12 public school funding. It is estimated to bring in $450 million per year. Learn more

This proposition would tax oil production to bring in an estimated $4 billion that would then be directed toward alternative energy programs. California already received about $14 million each year from oil production taxes. Learn more

This proposition would add $2.60 in excise taxes to each pack of cigarettes purchased in the state of California. Monies would fund hospital emergency services, health insurance for children and new and existing health education activities. There already is combination of taxes that total 87 cents per pack. It is estimated to bring in $2.1 billon per year. Learn more

This proposition would amend the state constitution to require that, with certain exceptions, parents or legal guardians of a pregnant minor must be notified at least 48 hours in advance before a physician performs an abortion on that minor. Currently minors can get abortions without parental notification. This measure does not require parental approval, only that they be notified. Exceptions would include medical emergencies, or parental waivers or a court-approved waiver. Learn more

This bond measure would provide $5.4 billion to address a myriad of natural resource issues including: better water quality; protecting rivers and lakes; flood control projects; energy conservation; protectingthe coast; acquiring and developing state parks, conserving wild habitats and water planning. It is estimated to cost the state 10.5 billion over 30 years. Learn more

Also known as Jessica’s Law proposes sweeping changes to state policies on sex offenders. It will introduce stronger sentences and longer parole periods. Registered sex offenders will be required to wear a GPS trackingdevice for life. They will be banned from living within 2000 feet of a school or park (which means large parts of Los Angeles or San Francisco). There are about 90,000 registered sex offenders in California. The precise cost is unknown, but the estimates suggest several hundred million dollars. Learn more

This bond measure would provide $4.09 billion for flood control projects. Specifically, the Central Valley Flood Control System and Delta levees would receive $3 billion to repair and improve levees, another $800 million would go to projects outside the Central Valley, and $290 billion for protecting flood corridors and improved flood hazard maps. It is estimated to cost about $8 billion over 30 years. Learn more

This bond measure would provide $10.4 billion for modernization and new projects for schools from kindergarten to the university level. It would benefit K-12 public schools with $7.3 billion and another $3 billion for community colleges, the California State University and the University of California. The cost to the state is estimated to be $20.3 billion over 30 years. Learn more

This bond measure would provide in $2.85 billion to fund 13 new and existing housing and development programs. These programs include: development projects like parks and sewer systems in urban areas; homeownership programs for low- and moderate income homebuyers; help fund constructions of multi-family housing developments and other housing projects. The cost to the state is estimated to be $6.1 billion over 30 years. Learn more

This bond measure would provide in $20 billion to spend on highway and roads; local transportation and rail; improving goods transportation and security. Paying back the bonds, with interest, would cost an estimate $38.9 billion over 30 years. Learn more

There are two taxes on gasoline, a 18 cents per gallon excise tax, or “gas tax” and a 6% sales tax. Proposition 42, which voters approved in 2002, dedicated most sales tax money to specifically fund transportation projects, however twice since its passage, the state has instead used the money because of its bad fiscal condition. This proposition will mean that any suspension must be paid back, like loans instead of grants. It will also limit suspensions to only two times in any 10-year period. This measure makes it tougher for the state to bail itself out of difficult fiscal situations by diverting gasoline sales tax monies. Learn more

Voter resources for the 2006 California primary election.

How safe are electronic voting machines?

Proposition 82 proposes free pre-school for every 4 year old in California.

Political analyst David Lesher, from the New America Foundation, tells us how the increase of Independent voters is shaping the political landscape.

Preschool Education. Tax on Incomes Over $400,000 for Individuals; $800,000 for Couples. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.

California Reading and Literacy Improvement and Public Library Construction and Renovation Bond Act of 2006.

How well do you know your California election history?