California propositions explained

Pasadena Star News

By: Cynthia Kurtz

Posted: 10/29/2014 

It is election season and most voters have heard advertisements for or against the ballot measures and still have no idea what some of the measures actually do. We complain that voter turnout is low yet ads that are intended to influence our votes treat us like simpletons.

The San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership has studied four important propositions on the November 4 ballot. Here are our recommendations:

Proposition 1 - the Water Bond. Because of the drought, this may be the best known of the propositions. It would provide $7.5 billion for water projects. While it doesn't increase water supplies to address our current shortage, it provides much needed resources to relieve future droughts. And there will be droughts in the future.

Proposition 1 will help projects that capture and store water when it is available and make better use of sources such as recycling, reuse and storm-water. It includes money for flood control and Delta levees. Every time a levee fails, there is a risk that salt water intrusion will make the water supplies for Central Valley famers and Southern California unusable. The Partnership urges a Yes vote on Proposition 1.

Proposition 2 - the "Rainy Day Fund." Businesses and families know they need to have reserves to see them through emergencies or dips in revenues. Our state budget is heavily dependent on income taxes and one-half of income tax revenue comes from one percent of the wealthiest Californians. That makes for a volatile budget and the need for the state to have reserves too. The Partnership urges a Yes vote on Prop 2.

Proposition 45 - Insurance Company Rates. Prop 45 would give the state Insurance Commissioner authority over health premium rate increases. California recently gave the authority to negotiate rates to Covered CA - the state's health insurance pool. There is plenty of mudslinging with supporters claiming 35 states require an insurance commissioner to approve rate increases. Opponents' counter we haven't tried the system we just implemented.

Everyone agrees that passage of Prop 45 will cost consumers money but supporters say it amounts to only a few million per year. A million here a million there - you know it adds up. If the current system doesn't work, then we can fix it. The Partnership urges a No vote on Prop 45.

Proposition 46 - Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Cap and Drug Testing of Doctors. This proposition is misleading in so many ways. You hear "lawsuit cap" and think that is a good thing. Prop 46 INCREASES the malpractice payment cap from $250,000 to $1.1 million. That will increase malpractice insurance rates and guess who pays for that - we do in our health insurance rates.

The random testing of doctors is included to camouflage the goal of increasing law suits. Proposition backers - mostly trail lawyers - admit the provision was included because it polled well. The Partnership urges a No vote on Proposition 46.

Remember to vote on November 4.