Here’s the L.A. Taco Voter Guide breaking down the key ballot measures, races, and local initiatives that impact Los Angeles. The election is Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018. To find your local voting location go here.
The Fundamental Choice Between Dianne Feinstein and Kevin de Leon for U.S. Senate
De Leon has only $1.6 million in the bank as of the last filing period, while Feinstein has an arsenal of $21 million. Even so, De Leon’s candidacy offers a chance to reflect on where we are in California liberal politics today, and where we might be headed. Read more here.
Untangling the Race for L.A. County Sheriff
The role of ICE in local law enforcement is huge in the Sheriff’s election. McDonnell has received criticism from immigrant advocates for cooperating with ICE — and for undermining SB54, which went into effect on Jan. 1, 2018 — a claim he vigorously denies.
“What was ultimately signed by Gov. Brown was what was we were doing here in Los Angeles County all along,” Sheriff McDonnell said during the candidate debate in July. “We don’t stop people on the street and ask them what their immigration status is. That isn’t our role. That’s the role of the federal government.”
The number of people handed over to ICE from county jail decreased to 0.63 percent from 1.5 percent from last year, according to Sheriff McDonnell during the debate. Despite that, Villanueva picked up the endorsement of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, also known as CHIRLA. The group has since vowed campaign for Villanueva and tap into 1,000 volunteers for canvassing and phone banking. Read more here.
Measure B Could Eventually Keep Local Tax Dollars Out of Major Private Banks
Measure B asks voters in L.A. if they want to amend the city’s charter to allow the City Council to look into the possibility of creating a public ban: a city-operated financial institution where all public funds could be directed instead of to the major private banks, where it currently goes. Read more here.
Props 1 and 2 Are for Affordable Housing but Come at a Cost
Props 1 and 2 would help to create much need affordable housing for those who need it most. Both have with wide-spread support and little opposition. They also both come at a steep financial cost, which seems worth it in the long run. Read More here.
Proposition 6 Is All About Hopes of a Republican Revolt
Prop. 6 and the loads and loads of special interest money being put behind would like to recall a small gas on tax that funds much needed road and infrastructure repairs. Read more here.
Prop 8 on Dialysis ~ The Fight Between Labor and Profit Over Cleaning Toxins from People’s Blood
Prop 8 wants to limit the amount of money dialysis clinics can charge patients to 115% of the cost of the procedure itself. This would force private dialysis clinics to reinvest in both clinic upkeep, staffing, and pay raises for clinic staff. It would also force them to treat and charge every patient, no matter who their insurer is, the same. Read more here.
Proposition 10 Clears Hurdle For Rent Control
It’s all about rent control, and getting rid of the shackles that have prevented housing-strapped cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles from passing rent control laws during this sustained period of skyrocketing housing costs in our state. Read more here.
Proposition 3: Water Projects in the Central Valley
Both the L.A. Times and DSA LA have flagged this proposition as being a huge break for large agriculture companies in the Central Valley, and suggest a no vote. The Central Valley is where a lot of our agriculture comes from, so who should pay for the direly needed projects to sustain growth there. Water is going to become a greater political and economic issue in the coming years, and any proposition that addresses that is worth consideration. Read more here.
Proposition 4: Giving Children’s Hospitals Millions in Funding for Construction
No one is opposing this initiative that would give $1.08 billion to non-profit children’s hospitals. Though DSA LA points out, there are some problems with the prop. Read more here.
Proposition 5: Giving the Rich Another Tax Break
This ballot measure is aimed at taking money from schools and cities so that rich homeowners can transfer to new homes and keep their old, cheaper property taxes. It’s a boondoggle that would only benefit the rich and real estate companies. Read more here.
Proposition 7: Should We End Daylights Savings?
This would allow the state to control Daylights Savings for … Why? What? Who cares? Ending Daylight Savings in California would still require federal approval. Why do we have Daylight Savings Time anyway? Read more here.
Proposition 11: Giving Ambulance Workers Paid Breaks
A 2016 California Supreme Court ruling that applied to security guards and a fear of pending lawsuits launched this initiative. In the ruling, the court said guards did not have to be on call during a break. As a result, private ambulance companies are scared of a similar ruling locking them out of the current status quo, where their private EMTs get paid for their breaks but are required to be on call. It's similar to cops, firemen, nurses, and doctors. If an emergency call comes in, they have to roll. The fact that private companies bankrolled a ballot initiative to prevent a class action lawsuit is shady. But then ask yourself if you want to be in an emergency when everyone is out to lunch? The idea that companies should hire more workers to fill those gaps is great. But is there really a minimum amount of emergency workers that would be enough? Emergencies by their very nature are unpredictable. It's definitely a complicated issues that requires some thought. A "Yes" vote would keep the status quo. A "No" vote would essentially end it. Read more here.
Proposition 12: Animal in Cages
This one bans the sale of meat and eggs from animals who are confined in small cages. Read more here.
Superior Court 4: Veronica Sauceda
Veronica Sauceda is has a ton of experience as a public interest lawyer. She grew up in Southeast Los Angeles, is the daughter of Mexican immigrants, and represented low-income people for free for thirteen years. Her opponents are career prosecutors with lower ratings from the County Bar Association. Read more here.
Superior Court 16: Patricia Hunter
Patti Hunter is a prosecutor with 28 years of experience putting away criminals, her opponent has a record of defending wealthy, blue-collar criminals and her husband is president of the California Rifle and Pistol Association. Read more here.
Superior Court 60: Holly Hancock
Holly Hancock is another lawyer who has dedicated her career to defending poor people in court. She is a career public defender who is a vocal critic of the cash bail system. Read more here.
Superior Court 113: Javier Perez
Javier Perez has 11 endorsements from fellow judges, and his opponent faces ethical questions that a candidate shouldn’t really face, especially going into a seat on the court. Read more here.
