Those Pesky Propositions Keep the Airwaves Cluttered

By now you’ve heard ad nausea about the boogeymen of the respective propositions on the November ballot (or at least had the presence of mind to go online and view the series, “Craig and Lou Go the Ballot Box.”) Here’s a summary of each proposition based on data from the following: CBRT/Pepperdine Poll, Field Poll, LA Times/USC/Dornsife Poll, Public Policy Institute of California Poll (excellent gauge as the polling questions lean heavily liberal) and, Survey USA (for Prop 30 only).

Proposition 30: Temporary Taxes to Fund Education. Guaranteed Local Public Safety Funding. Initiative Constitutional Amendment. (No great surprise… Jerry Brown’s proposal still leading, but undecideds make it interesting. It'll pass but by a razor-thin margin.) Yes: 51.1% (-2.4%) - No: 38.3% - Undecided: 10.4%

Proposition 31: State Budget. State and Local Government. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute. (Polling results are muddled [no duh] but despite these numbers, it too will pass… and frankly, should pass.) Yes: 30.7% (+0.3%) - No: 37.8% - Undecided: 31.3%

Proposition 32: Prohibits Political Contributions by Payroll Deduction. Prohibitions on Contributions to Candidates. Initiative Statute. (Another razor thin lead but that lead has shrunk significantly as the electorate begins to realize the whole “NO” campaign, despite all the rhetoric, is almost exclusively funded by the unions, i.e., they whose oxen are being gored.) Yes: 44.2% (-0.0%) - No: 42.4% - Undecided: 16.7%

Proposition 33: Changes Law to Allow Auto Insurance Companies to Set Prices Based on a Driver's History of Insurance Coverage. Initiative Statute. (A bit of a surprise considering the backers but they’re doing a good job of getting their message across in a consumer-friendly manner).  Yes: 54.8% (-1.0%) - No: 33.6% - Undecided: 23.1%

Proposition 34: Death Penalty Repeal. Initiative Statute. (No great surprise, though the numbers have waned a bit. This proposition will be defeated. Californians like knowing that if all else fails, the gas chamber still awaits as the ultimate arbiter.)Yes: 43.9% (-1.0%) - No: 44.9% - Undecided: 11.1%

Proposition 35: Human Trafficking. Penalties. Sex Offender Registration. Initiative Statute. (Fish in the proverbial barrel + it’s the right thing to do. Surprised the ‘Yes’ vote is not higher.)  Yes: 79.7% (-2.5%) - No: 12.3% - Undecided: 8.0%

Proposition 36: Three Strikes Law. Reduced Sentencing for Repeat Felony Offenders. Initiative Statute. (Equally surprising in a converse way. This is the same electorate that wants to keep the death penalty but is O.K. with loosening up sentencing for repeat felony offenders?!) Yes: 71.5% (-0.4%) - No: 17.3% - Undecided: 10.9%

Proposition 37: Genetically Engineered Foods. Mandatory Labeling. Initiative Statute. (Scare tactics winning the day for the ‘Yes” campaign. Consumers clueless as to the meteoric rise in food costs that will result.  Classic case of ‘be careful what you ask for’…) Yes: 56.2% (-5.2%) - No: 32.7% - Undecided: 10.9%

Proposition 38: Tax for Education and Early Childhood Programs. Initiative Statute. (The ‘Millionaire Tax’ initiative is going down to defeat. May bring down Prop. 30 with it. If Prop. 30 falters, cuts to education will make Thanksgiving turkey carving look positively gentile.) Yes: 42.1% (-0.3%) - No: 45.5% - Undecided: 15.7%

Proposition 39: Tax Treatment for Multistate Businesses. Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Funding. Initiative Statute.  (The ‘sunshine-and-lollypop’ title ensures the measure will pass… and jobs will leave the state in droves.) Yes: 54.2% (-0.5%) - No: 30.7% - Undecided: 15.1%

Proposition 40: Redistricting. State Senate Districts. Referendum. (Academic as the courts have already ruled on this… but good to know electorate is paying attention?!) Yes: 44.2% (+0.0%) - No: 25.8% - Undecided: 30.0%

BTW: Since August 8, 2012, nearly $3.5 million has been spent on independent expenditures to support or oppose State legislative candidates that are on the November 6, 2012, ballot, according to the Fair Political Practices Commission.

Of that nearly $3.5 million spent, $1,816,989 has been spent to support legislative candidates and $1,664,786 has been spent to oppose legislative candidates. Ah coinage... the Mom's leche of politicos.