November 8, 2005 California Special Election Endorsements
Chronicle Staff
October 14, 2005
The California Chronicle makes the following endorsements for the November 8, 2005 California Special Election:
Proposition 74: Public School Teachers; Waiting Period for Permanent Status
CALchron Recommendation: Vote NO
This proposition does nothing to reduce class size, buy textbooks, or make schools safer or cleaner. Nor does it reward highly qualified teachers. Currently, California teachers are not guaranteed true tenure, but rather, after 2 years of probation, the same right to a pre-termination hearing as is granted to all other public employees. We believe that Prop. 75 punishes teachers while ignoring the real problems with our schools. CALchron recommends voting NO on Prop 74.
Proposition 75: Public Employee Union Dues
CALchron Recommendation: Vote NO
This measure is a government-imposed one-size-fits-all mandate that interferes with democratic decision-making within a union. It imposes considerable cost and paperwork requirements on union political activities, but does not impose any of the same restrictions on corporations or businesses. According to the Alliance for a Better California, corporations outspend unions 24 to 1 for political purposes. Opponents of the measure argue that the US Supreme court has already ruled that no public employee can be forced to join a union or association and contribute to politics. Proponents believe that the law should restrict only the political voice of public employees who belong to a union or association - not the political voice of corporations or their employees. The measure is crafted to replace individual decision-making with a bureaucratic, government-imposed process. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has endorsed this initiative. The Governor earlier proposed the elimination of death benefits received by the widows and orphans of firefighters and police officers who die in the line of duty. Schwarzenegger backed down on his proposal after the unions objected. Some believe his support of this iniative is a political payback. CALchron recommends voting NO on Prop. 75.
Proposition 76: School Funding: State Spending Limits
CALchron Recommendation: Vote NO
Prop 76 would cut school funding by $4 billion and overturn voter-approved school funding guarantees. Because of existing rules requiring the budget to be approved by a two-thirds majority in the Legislature, the proposition gives the governor, as a practical matter, unchecked power over state budgets beyond the line item veto he already enjoys. It does nothing to prevent new taxes. The proposition endangers local funding for police, fire, and health care, including trauma centers and child immunization. CALchron recommends voting NO on Prop. 76.
Proposition 77: Reapportionment
CALchron Recommendation: Vote NO
Proposition 77 would require an expensive and unnecessary mid-decade redistricting based on eight-year-old data. It would allow voters to lose their right to reject redistricting before it becomes effective and it would allow politicians to pick judges to draw district lines for them. Prop. 77 would cost taxpayers millions of dollars and is cemented into the Constitution. CALchron recommends voting NO on Prop. 77.
Proposition 78: Prescription Drugs; Discounts
CALchron Recommendation: Vote NO
Proposition 78 is a voluntary initiative sponsored by prescription drug companies. Under Prop. 78, drug companies don’t have to provide a single discount. In addition, the plan can end at any time. Prescription drug pricing reform is important, but California deserves better than a voluntary program drawn up by the companies themselves without any public input. CALchron recommends voting NO on Prop. 78.
Proposition 74: Public School Teachers; Waiting Period for Permanent Status
CALchron Recommendation: Vote NO
This proposition does nothing to reduce class size, buy textbooks, or make schools safer or cleaner. Nor does it reward highly qualified teachers. Currently, California teachers are not guaranteed true tenure, but rather, after 2 years of probation, the same right to a pre-termination hearing as is granted to all other public employees. We believe that Prop. 75 punishes teachers while ignoring the real problems with our schools. CALchron recommends voting NO on Prop 74.
Proposition 75: Public Employee Union Dues
CALchron Recommendation: Vote NO
This measure is a government-imposed one-size-fits-all mandate that interferes with democratic decision-making within a union. It imposes considerable cost and paperwork requirements on union political activities, but does not impose any of the same restrictions on corporations or businesses. According to the Alliance for a Better California, corporations outspend unions 24 to 1 for political purposes. Opponents of the measure argue that the US Supreme court has already ruled that no public employee can be forced to join a union or association and contribute to politics. Proponents believe that the law should restrict only the political voice of public employees who belong to a union or association - not the political voice of corporations or their employees. The measure is crafted to replace individual decision-making with a bureaucratic, government-imposed process. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has endorsed this initiative. The Governor earlier proposed the elimination of death benefits received by the widows and orphans of firefighters and police officers who die in the line of duty. Schwarzenegger backed down on his proposal after the unions objected. Some believe his support of this iniative is a political payback. CALchron recommends voting NO on Prop. 75.
Proposition 76: School Funding: State Spending Limits
CALchron Recommendation: Vote NO
Prop 76 would cut school funding by $4 billion and overturn voter-approved school funding guarantees. Because of existing rules requiring the budget to be approved by a two-thirds majority in the Legislature, the proposition gives the governor, as a practical matter, unchecked power over state budgets beyond the line item veto he already enjoys. It does nothing to prevent new taxes. The proposition endangers local funding for police, fire, and health care, including trauma centers and child immunization. CALchron recommends voting NO on Prop. 76.
Proposition 77: Reapportionment
CALchron Recommendation: Vote NO
Proposition 77 would require an expensive and unnecessary mid-decade redistricting based on eight-year-old data. It would allow voters to lose their right to reject redistricting before it becomes effective and it would allow politicians to pick judges to draw district lines for them. Prop. 77 would cost taxpayers millions of dollars and is cemented into the Constitution. CALchron recommends voting NO on Prop. 77.
Proposition 78: Prescription Drugs; Discounts
CALchron Recommendation: Vote NO
Proposition 78 is a voluntary initiative sponsored by prescription drug companies. Under Prop. 78, drug companies don’t have to provide a single discount. In addition, the plan can end at any time. Prescription drug pricing reform is important, but California deserves better than a voluntary program drawn up by the companies themselves without any public input. CALchron recommends voting NO on Prop. 78.