Proposition 19: Tax, Regulate, and Control Cannabis: YES. By far the most important item on the ballot. Proposition 19 represents a huge and painfully overdue blow to the insanely expensive and completely ineffective “war on drugs”. Sane drug policy cannot, and will not, ever come from the Federal Government, unless it first comes from the states. This is our chance. I cannot overstate the importance of this piece of legislation.

Proposition 20: Redistricting of Congressional Districts: YES. Remember way back in Politics 101 the term “Gerrymandering”?–the drawing of ludicrously shaped political districts designed to keep incumbents safe? This would end that. Californians approved a similar measure last election, but that law covered only the state legislature. This one covers Congressional districts and thereby completes the job.

Proposition 21: Vehicle Registration Fee for State Park Admittance. YES. Proposition 21 would tack on an $18 fee every time you register your car. The money would go entirely to the cash-starved state-parks, and would remain out of the reach of state legislators. In exchange, every California registered vehicle would receive free-entry to every state park. Now, I’m not one for compulsory membership, but I’m also not one to pass on a good deal. Saving the State-Parks while gaining unlimited access for $18? That is a GREAT deal.

Proposition 22: Prohibits State Raids on Local Government: YES. Sacramento is actually worse of than you think. For years, Sacramento has been disguising the full scope of it’s financial woes by stealing money from local governments. Proposition 22 would make such raids illegal, and force state-politicians to come to grips with a structurally dysfunctional business model.

Proposition 23: Suspend Environmental Protections: NO. This insulting attack on California’s burgeoning clean-energy industry is spearheaded by Texas Oil companies. Fuck them.

Proposition 24: Close Corporate Tax Breaks: YES. An extremely complicated array of closures and repeals of tax-loophole and tax-breaks for people who aren’t you.

Proposition 25: Democracy in Budgeting: YES. California is one of only three states in the union where the budget is controlled by minority-rule. This arrangement is actually principled in feudal-era notions of class and privilege,  and it is in every way bad. Proposition 25 restores majority rule to California’s horrific budget process.

Proposition 26: No more democracy in fee raises: NO. Takes away majority rule in regards to state-fees. The reverse of Proposition 25 above.

Proposition 27: Abolishes sanity in redistricting reforms from last year: NO. This cynical and insulting measure comes from the state Democrat and Republican party leadership, and would give party bosses the ability to pick their voters rather than voters pick their representatives. Big NO.