Even without the presidential election, voters throughout Napa County have a lot of choices to make on the Nov. 6 ballot.
Not only do we have races in every municipality except Yountville, plus countywide offices and ballot measures to decide — there are 11 statewide ballot propositions to decide.
To help sort them all out, a group of Patch editors has created this Proposition Voter Guide, with links, briefs and local opinion about each proposition to help us all make informed decisions.
Nonpartisan Websites
California Choices- Includes an endorsements table featuring where non-profits, newspapers, unions and political parties stand on each proposition.
Maplight.org - Includes in-depth campaign spending information.
Proposition 30: Temporary Taxes to Fund State Programs
Voters will face two, some say conflicting, tax measures on this year’s ballot. The first is supported by Governor Jerry Brown and is also known as the Schools and Local Public Safety Protection Act. The measure is intended to help close the state’s budget gap and fund schools.
The act would raise the personal income tax rate for people who make more than $250,000 a year. Individuals who make less than $250,000 a year and couples who make less than $500,000 a year will not see an increase. The ballot measure would also raise the state sales tax by a quarter cent for the next four years.
The money raised from the tax hike is expected to generate $6.6 billion for education. If voters reject it, a series of trigger cuts that will result in a nearly $5.4 billion hit to education will be enforced.
Click here for more information on Proposition 30.
Napa Valley Patch articles and opinion on Proposition 30:
- Future Voters Take Sides on Ballot Measures in Napa
- Proposition 30 or 38? Which Should You Choose?
- Napa Letter: Vote Yes on Prop. 30 for Schools
- Democratic Party Picks State Ballot Measures to Support
- California Republicans Oppose Proposed Tax Measures
- Prop 30 and Unfunded State Mandates (blog post)
Proposition 31: State Budget
This proposition would allow local governments and school districts create plans to coordinate how public services are provided. These plans include areas of public health and safety, education, social services, and economic development. Governing boards for the county, school district and city must approve the plans. The proposition would allow local governments flexibility on how state-funded programs are administered and how property taxes are transferred.
The proposition would also place restrictions on Legislature’s ability to increase or decrease state revenue and when they can pass bills.
Click here for more information on Proposition 31.
Napa Valley Patch Articles on Proposition 31
- Democratic Party Picks State Ballot Measures to Support
- California Republicans Oppose Proposed Tax Measures
Proposition 32: Political Contributions
This measure seeks to reform campaign finance rules in three key ways. The first would ban employee paycheck reductions for “political purposes.” The second would prevent corporations and unions from making direct contributions to state and local candidates or the committees that fund them.
The third would forbid government contractors to contribute to elected officials who were involved in the process that awarded them the contract. This would keep the contractors from contributing while that contract is under consideration or is in effect.
Click here for more information on Proposition 32.
Napa Valley Patch articles on Proposition 32:
- Future Voters Take Sides on Ballot Measures in Napa
Proposition 33: Auto Insurance Rates
Prop. 33 would change state law to allow insurance companies to set prices based on whether the driver previously carried auto insurance with any insurance company. Drivers who have not had prior, continuous coverage could be charge higher rates, while those who have had coverage could receive discounts.
Click here for more information on Proposition 33.
Patch Articles on Proposition 33
- Insurance Industry-Backed Proposition on California Ballot
- Prop. 33: Who Benefits? (on Healdsburg Patch)
Proposition 34: Death Penalty Repeal
Prop. 34 would repeal the death penalty and replace it with life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. This would also affect individuals currently sentenced to death. According to the proposition, the measure would create a $100 million fund for law enforcement efforts.
Click here for more information on Proposition 34.
Napa Valley Patch Articles on Proposition 34
- Voter Guide: Propositions 34 and 36
- Future Voters Take Sides on Ballot Measures in Napa
Proposition 35: Human Trafficking/Sex Offender
Proposition 35 would increase prison sentences and fines for human trafficking. A conviction for human trafficking would be require the offender to register as a sex offender.
Click here for more information on Proposition 35.
Napa Valley Patch articles on Proposition 35
- Democratic Party Picks State Ballot Measures to Support
- California Republicans Oppose Proposed Tax Measures
- Future Voters Take Sides on Ballot Measures in Napa
Proposition 36: Three Strikes Law
This measure would change California's current "Three Strikes" law by imposing a life sentence only when the crime committed is a serious, violent crime. This could allow some offenders with two prior serious or violent felony convictions, and currently serving life sentences for nonserious, non-violent felony convictions, serve shorter prison terms. This would not affect felons with prior convictions of murder, rape, or the sexual abuse of children.
Click here for more information on Proposition 36.
Patch Articles on Proposition 36
- Propositions 34 and 36 Would Make Major Changes to Punishment for Serious Crimes
- Future Voters Take Sides on Ballot Measures in Napa
Proposition 37: Genetically Modified Foods
Prop. 37 would require labeling alerting consumers of any raw or processed food made from genetically-modified plants and animals. Genetically engineered food cannot be marketed as "natural” under the measure, although certain foods are exempted from this measure.
Click here for more information on Proposition 37.
Napa Valley Patch Articles and Opinion on Proposition 37
- Prop. 37: Should Genetically Modified Food Be Labeled?
- Whole Foods Ramps Up Prop. 37 Support
- Napa Letter: "Vote Yes on Proposition 37"
- Napa Letter: "I am Voting YES on Proposition 37"
- Napa Letter: "Let's Vote Yes on Proposition 37"
- Napa Letter: Anti-Prop 37 TV Ads are "Outright Lies"
- Napa Letter: "Prop 37 Labeling Should be Required" to Force Research
- Future Voters Take Sides on Ballot Measures in Napa
Proposition 38: Molly Munger’s Tax Proposal
This second tax rate measure would increase the state income tax rates for most Californians on a sliding scale, resulting in projected increased revenues of about $10 billion a year, according to California Choices. Revenues would go to K-12 schools and early childhood programs, as well as some of the state’s debt. If voters pass both Propositions 30 and 38, the proposition with the most votes will pass.
Click here for more information on Proposition 38.
Patch Articles on Proposition 38
- Proposition 30 or 38? Which Should You Choose?
- Democratic Party Picks State Ballot Measures to Support
- California Republicans Oppose Proposed Tax Measures
- Future Voters Take Sides on Ballot Measures in Napa
Proposition 39: Multistate Business Tax
According to California Choices, Prop. 39 would throw out an existing law allowing multistate businesses to choose a “tax liability formula that provides favorable tax treatment for businesses with property and payroll outside California.” Multistate businesses’ California income tax liability will be determined based on the percentage of their sales in California. Increased revenue is intended to fund energy efficiency projects and clean energy jobs.
Click here for more information on Proposition 39.
Patch Articles on Proposition 39
- Prop. 39 Seeks to Close $1B Tax Loophole for Multi-State Corporations
Proposition 40: Redistricting
Prop. 40 is a referendum on the California State Senate redistricting plan approved by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission. If the proposition does not pass, the districts will be determined by officials under the California Supreme Court.
Click here for more information on Proposition 40.
For an easy way to remember which ballot measure is which, Sing Along to the 'Proposition Song!'.
To see who is supporting the measures:
For an article and video highlighting teenaged Napans with opinions: Future Voters Take Sides on Ballot Measures in Napa
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