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Voting guide- propositions

1A – Bonds for High-Speed Rail

If passed, this proposition would allow the state to continue funding for the planning and construction of a high-speed rail project as well as monies for the upkeep of other state and local rail systems. The fiscal impact: $9.95 billion in bonds is needed to fund the project, and payback of the bonds would take the state more than 30 years to pay. Annual maintenance costs would attach another estimated $1 billion, but would be partially offset by passenger fares.

2 – Treatment of Farm Animals

If passed, this proposition would force California farmers to raise livestock in a way that allows them to move around freely, in order to fully extend their limbs. The law would begin in 2015. Violators would be fined $1,000, sent to jail or both. The fiscal impact: potentially a range in several million dollars due to an increase in production costs.

3 – Bonds for Children’s Hospitals

If passed, this proposition would allow the state to sell $980 million in bonds to be used for the improvement of children’s hospitals in California. In 2004, $750 million in bonds from the state were allotted to children’s hospital, though not all funds have been allocated yet. The fiscal impact: approximately $2 billion over a span of 30 years to pay off the bonds including interest. Payments would average about $64 million per year.

4 – Parental Notification About Abortion

If passed, this proposition would change the state constitution to require doctors to notify a minor’s parent or guardian at least 48 hours before performing an abortion. Parental notification would not be required in a case of a medical emergency or if the minor gets approval from a juvenile court judge. The fiscal impact: unknown costs ranging in several millions of dollars per year for health and social service, court expenses and health agency administration.

5 – Rehabilitation of Nonviolent Criminal Offenders

If passed, this proposition would expand on the types of offenders that qualify for drug treatment diversion programs and increase the amount of available services for offenders while they are in prison, on parole or afterward. A reduction of penalties for possession of marijuana is also included. The fiscal impact: more than $1 billion in state costs annually for the drug treatment and rehabilitation programs, but could save the state on prisons and parole costs an estimated net one-time savings that could exceed $2.5 billion.

6 – Public Safety Spending and Criminal Penalties

If passed, this proposition would require $965 million minimum to be allotted by the state on specific local law enforcement and criminal justice programs, on top of the $10 billion the state already spends annually for running the prison system. It would increase penalties for certain crimes, especially those related to gang members. The fiscal impact: increase state spending more than $500 million annually, as well as a one-time state cost of $500 million to build prisons to house additional inmates due to tougher penalties.

7 – Renewable Energy

If passed, this proposition would require all electric utility companies, public and private, to generate at least 20 percent of electricity via renewable resources by 2010, 40 percent by 2020 and 50 percent by 2025. The fiscal impact: increase state’s costs of up to $3.4 million per year for administrative costs. Its effect on electricity rates is unknown.

8 – Ban on Gay Marriage

If passed, this proposition would change the State Constitution to say that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. This means that same-sex couples would not have the right to marry. The fiscal impact: possible revenue losses in the range of tens of millions of dollars.

9 – Victim’s Rights in Criminal Proceedings

If passed, this proposition would add new rights for victims of crime and strengthen victim’s rights. This proposition would also change the state constitution to stop prisons and jails from letting offenders out early, and would make changes to the state’s parole process. The fiscal impact: may result in higher costs to state and county governments in the hundreds of millions of dollars a year if prisoners are kept incarcerated longer and net savings in the tens of millions of dollars a year because of the changes to parole.

10 – Bonds for Alternative Energy

If passed, this proposition would provide $1.25 billion for research, development and production of renewable energy and alternative fuel technology. Another $3.425 billion would be spent on rebates to encourage Californians to buy fuel-efficient cars. The fiscal impact: state costs of approximately $10 billion over 30 years to pay off bonds. Also, state costs to run the proposition’s programs would be about $10 million per year for 10 years. An increase in state and local sales tax revenue and vehicle license fee revenues is estimated to cost in the tens of millions of dollars.

11 – Redistricting

If passed, this proposition would change the state constitution to give a 14-member citizens redistricting commission the job of redrawing district maps for State Assembly, Senate and Board of Equalization district boundaries. The fiscal impact: no significant increases in state spending but a potential increase in redistricting costs once every 10 years.

12 – Bonds for Veterans’ Home Loans

If passed, this proposition would issue $900 million in bonds to provide loans to California veterans. This amount would be enough for loans to at least 3,600 veterans. The fiscal impact: paid for by participating vete

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