We voted; you should, too

The Star editorial board came together to look at this election's propositions and help inform undecided voters. For more information on our recommendations head to sonomastatestar.com

Prop 1: Guarantee Abortion Rights In State Constitution [YES]

Vote Yes on Proposition 1: Proposition 1 looks to secure abortion rights in the state of California. It will embed the right to choose whether or not to have an abortion and whether or not to use contraceptives, along with a promise that the state cannot act on constituent’s reproductive rights into the California constitution. With all of the uncertainty after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the more protections we instill now, the less we will have to worry about our rights being taken away down the line. This proposition is backed by supporters like Governor Gavin Newsom, Senator Diane Feinstein, and Hilary Clinton. 

Prop 28: Arts and Music Education Funding [YES]

Vote Yes on Proposition 28: Proposition 28 requires California to allocate money from its public school and community college state budget to fund expanded arts programs in schools. This funding will prioritize low-income students. 80% of the funding given to schools will be used to hire new art and music teachers and staff. This proposition is backed by famous names like Barbara Streisand and Sylvester Stalone. Putting money into creative programs such as music and art will hopefully help to support mental health among students.

 Prop 31: Uphold Flavored Tobacco Ban [YES]

Vote Yes on Proposition 31: Proposition 31 will put into action a law which was decided on in 2020. Senate Bill 793 bans the sale of flavored tobacco products and other associated items. It is important to put the health of the people, especially our youth, before the money these sales could generate. The goal of this bill moving forward is to lower smoking rates in general, along with trying to bring down the data on young smokers. 80% of youth smokers start smoking with a flavored nicotine product. This proposition is supported by the American Lung Association, American Heart Association, and the California PTA. 

Prop 30: Tax Millionaires for Electric Vehicle Programs [YES]

Vote Yes on Proposition 30: Proposition 30 will create a new fund which will assist California in lowering its greenhouse gas emissions, hopefully no later than 2043. This fund will be created by introducing a new tax on high income Californians. High income Californians will be required to pay an additional 1.75% tax on any income over two million dollars. The money will be used to fund Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV), as well as support wildfire prevention. 80% of the money will go towards ZEVs and assisting to create more infrastructure for ZEVs, and 20% will go towards wildfire response, including hiring and training new firefighters. This proposition is supported by Cal Fire Local 2881, California’s largest fire department and the second largest fire department in the USA, as well as California Environmental Voters.

Prop 26: Sports Betting at Tribal Casinos [YES]

Vote Yes on Proposition 26: Proposition 26 will allow in-person sports betting at tribal casinos and horse tracks in California. This proposition will also introduce new forms of gambling at tribal casinos that were previously illegal. With the money that these businesses will be taxed to offer these new services, tens of millions of dollars will be generated for the state, as well as more money coming in for tribes. Patrons will now also have the option to sue a casino or race track if they feel gaming laws are being violated. These lawsuits may also generate money for the state. This proposition is supported by 27 tribes and tribal organizations, led by tribes with casinos including Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, the NAACP, California-Hawaii state conference, and State Treasurer Fiona Ma. 

Vote No on Proposition 26: Proposition 26 will allow in-person sports betting at tribal casinos and horse tracks in California. This proposition will also introduce new forms of gambling at tribal casinos that were previously illegal. While this proposition would generate more money for California, it will do so at the cost of promoting additional gambling. Some casinos allow adults as young as 18 years old to participate, which could encourage gambling among a very young demographic. Also, horse racing is currently on a decline in popularity, something that animal groups are happy about. With the introduction of sports betting at horse tracks, it could spur a new interest in an industry that would be better off slowly fizzling out. This proposition is opposed by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals chapters and local humane societies, as well as the California Black Chamber of Commerce and California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Prop 27: Allow Online Sports Betting [NO]

Vote Yes on Proposition 27: Proposition 27 allows tribes and online gambling companies to offer online sports betting. Those participating tribes and online gambling companies will be required to pay regulatory fees to the state, along with payments into a new fund to address homelessness. This new fund would be called the “California Online Sports Betting Trust Fund”, which is used for state regulatory costs first, then the remaining money will be split: 85% to fight homelessness and gambling addiction, and 15% to tribes who are not involved in sports betting, so that they can still benefit from these new changes. In order for gambling companies to operate this new service, they will need to make a deal with a tribe. The proposition will create a new division in the Department of Justice in charge of regulating online sports betting; they will receive power both to watch over illegal betting, as well as to decide whether or not to add new forms of betting on different areas of entertainment, like video games. This proposition is supported by FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM and four other gaming companies, which are funding the measure; three Native American tribes; and the mayors of Fresno, Sacramento, Oakland, and Long Beach.

Vote No on Proposition 27: Proposition 27 allows tribes and online gambling companies to offer online sports betting. Those participating tribes and online gambling companies will be required to pay regulatory fees to the state, along with payments into a new fund to address homelessness. While generating new money to support this major problem in our state would be nice, it would be at the expense of gamblers, and those addicted to gambling. Online gambling can be tricky as it becomes difficult to verify the age of the user, and will essentially turn every phone and computer into a gambling device, a main concern of those opposed. This proposition is opposed by 50 Native American tribes and tribal organizations, Governor Gavin Newsom, and the California Teachers Association. 

Prop 29: Impose New Rules on Dialysis Clinics [NO]

Vote No on Proposition 29: Proposition 29 will impose a set of new requirements on California dialysis clinics. These include requiring clinics to have new staff on hand, such as a physician, requiring clinics to report data to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and requiring clinics to get consent from the CDPH if they want to close or reduce hours. While additional regulations on such an important service seems like it would be the best option, opponents state that these new obligations will be dangerous for dialysis patients, as the need to hire new staff will cost money, and this could force clinics to reduce hours or shut down altogether. Dialysis clinics are already highly regulated, and have trained and licensed staff on hand. This proposition is opposed by the American Nurses Association, and the California Medical Association.