Prop. 1: Proving the Definition of Insanity – NO. Since Newsom took office, he has flushed an estimated $37 billion down the kleptocracy rathole for housing programs (costing your family an average of $2,700). Meanwhile, California housing prices continue to soar and homelessness continues to grow, and nobody can account for where the money went. The left’s answer: spend more and expect a different result. More housing permits were granted last year in the cities of Dallas and Houston than were approved in all of California combined. Median price of a home in Texas: $360,000. In California? $910,000. Reagan was right: government is not the solution to this problem; government IS the problem.
Prop. 2: Busting a Busted Budget — NO. In 1974, Californians passed the Gann Spending Limit to restrain state spending to the combined growth of inflation and population. But a series of high-spending governors successively eviscerated it. Since then, while inflation and population have grown a combined 610 percent, state spending has increased 2,100 percent. That’s not enough for California’s mini-Mamdanis, so we have this little poodle bomb that puts even more of the budget outside the Gann limit.
Prop. 3: Eat the Rich (If You Can Catch Them) – NO. In 2012, California spent about $9,200 per pupil in K-12 schools. That year, voters fell for a tax-the-rich scheme that “temporarily” increased upper bracket taxes 3 percent, making California income taxes the highest in the nation. What happened? Per pupil spending soared to $21,000. Pupil performance didn’t budge — but tens of thousands of rich people did. They left California and took their taxes with them. Prop 3 would double down on stupid and make those “temporary” taxes permanent.
Prop. 4: Welfare for Politicians – NO. This picks your pocket to pay for every crackpot candidate who meets yet-to-be determined criteria set by – wait for it – Sacramento’s politicians. What could go wrong? Bonus question: guess who put it on the ballot? (Nah, that’s too easy).
Prop. 5: The Case of the Ghostly Successor – NO. When an elected official is recalled, you get to vote for his successor on the same ballot. But that would be unwelcome competition and besides, who cares how YOU vote. So this little gem leaves the position vacant until the next general election. That’ll teach you not to throw the bastards out. Oh, and the official you just recalled can run again for the same seat. Another gift from our state legislature, by the way.
Prop. 37: Financing the Next Housing Meltdown — NO. Here’s another $25 billion in bonds for mortgage subsidies. If you haven’t grasped the lesson of the last meltdown, let’s try to fill in the blank: If you can’t afford a house, don’t _____. This subsidizes downpayments for home buyers who earn less than 200 percent of median income. Yes, housing is out of reach for most Californians – but the answer isn’t luring them into mortgages they can’t afford. We tried that before, remember? California has made housing scarce and therefore expensive by imposing ludicrous mandates on construction, limiting the permits that can be issued, charging exorbitent fees, restricting the land available for housing, and flooding the market with subsidies. Fix that and you’ve fixed the problem.
Prop. 38: California’s Unhealthy Epidemic of Borrowing for Health – NO. “Personally, I liked the university,” says Dan Akroyd’s character in “Ghostbusters.” “They gave us money and facilities; we didn’t have to produce anything! You’ve never been out of college! You don’t know what it’s like out there! I’ve WORKED in the private sector. They expect results!” This is $8.4 billion of general obligation borrowing (that means YOU) for university research into immunology. And they don’t have to produce anything and they don’t expect results. Ray Stantz, Ph.D. thanks you very much.
Prop 39: The SAVE California ACT – YES! YES! YES! Requires voter ID. Egaads! You need an ID to drive a car, enter a federal building, fly on an airplane, cash a check, or get free admission to the Obama Presidential library. Yet the Democrats are aghast that we would ask somebody to identify themselves before casting a vote that will determine the future of our community, our state and our country. (Yes, they really are crazy.)
By the way, 176 Countries require voter ID. 46 out of 47 EU Countries require voter ID. Every country in Africa requires government-issued identification to vote, and 51 out of 54 African nations demand that would-be voters actively submit proof of citizenship to register. Mexico and all 12 South American countries mandate government-issued photo IDs to vote, and verify the citizenship of each registered voter.
Prop 40: Bend Over California – NO. This is supposed to raise gazzillions by taxing California’s billionaires five percent of their total wealth. But as Arthur Laffer has often warned, nothing is more portable in this world than money and rich people. Scads of rich people (and their money) have already left California in anticipation of this measure. Who do you think the politicians will come as that money disappears? Another provision in this measure gives the legislature the power to ratchet that threshold down as far as they like. Bend over, please.
Prop. 41: Trust, but Verify – YES. This is a taxpayer initiative that tells the legislature: If you want to increase a tax on us, we want to see an audit of the programs you are proposing to fund and whatever you raise has to be subject to the Gann Spending Limit (see Prop. 2). It’s not a cure all, but it at least assures an awkward moment or two on the way to the money tree.
Prop. 42: Hands Off my Retirement – YES. Another taxpayer initiative that forbids new state personal property taxes, retro-active taxes and taxes on retirement savings. Consider it a refreshing breeze amidst the sweltering “warmth of collectivism.”
Prop. 43: Save Prop 13 – YES. Prop. 13 was crystal clear: 2/3 vote for local tax increases. But over the years, this protection was eroded until the provision no longer applies for any ballot measure that the spending lobby puts on the ballot. This restores the 2/3 vote for all ballot propositions that raise your taxes.
Prop 44: Beware Public Employee Unions’ Overbearing Gifts – NO. This little stinker sounds great: community health clinics have to spend 90 percent of their revenue on patient services. But beware: it is specifically designed to put private health clinics — that often run on shoe-string budgets to provide affordable services to rural communities – out of business. It’s sponsored by labor unions and doesn’t apply to the big hospitals they control – only the little clinics they don’t. Its as cynical as it gets.
Prop. 45: How Do You Spell RELIEF – YES. The biggest single impediment to meeting California’s housing, transportation, water and energy needs is the California Environmental Quality Act that makes the approval process endlessly time consuming and often cost-prohibitive. This initiative sets time limits on this process and discourages frivolous lawsuits.