TBG's Election Guide: Proposition Lightning Round

Proposition 6 – Places additional penalties on gang-related and drug crime. Takes monies from California General Fund (previously earmarked for schools, health services, housing and the environment) to pay for new and existing criminal justice programs.

TBG Votes: No. Poorly written and ill-conceived, this is one of those "tough on crime" mandates that supporters hope won't be read past the first sentence or two.

Proposition 7 – Would require California utilities to procure half of their power from renewable resources by 2025. It will also require California utilities to increase their purchase of electricity generated from renewable resources by 2% annually to meet Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requirements of 40% in 2020 and 50% in 2025.

TBG Votes: No. Most independent studies have shown that a short-to-moderate term increase in current annual household energy costs if this passes. Mrs. Bootleg only works part time, people.

Proposition 9 – Would alter laws governing victim's rights in California and amend the California Constitution to add new provisions regarding victims of crimes.

TBG Votes: No. Administratively redundant with many state laws already on the books.

Proposition 10 – Would provide rebates to Californians who purchase vehicles powered by fuel sources other than regular gasoline, as well as a rebate for those who buy fuel-saving vehicles. The state government would pay for the rebates, up to a total of $5 billion. Also provides for funding/grant research on alternative fuels.

TBG Votes: No. Huge conflict-of-interest here as the primary backer of this initiative (T. Boone Pickens' Clean Energy Fuels, Corp.) stands to make the most off it. I'm not down with funneling California dollars to help anyone from Oklahoma. They know why.

Proposition 11 – Changes the authority for establishing the district boundaries of the California State Assembly, California State Senate, and Board of Equalization from elected representatives to a 14-member commission.

TBG Votes: No. The committee will be formed of five Republicans, five Democrats and four from neither party. I wouldn't trust that make-up to pick an appetizer to share at Chili's, much less to slice and dice districts. BTW, Chili's Southwestern Egg Rolls = crazy underrated.

Proposition 12 – Authorizes issuance of $900 million in bonds to create a fund that assist veterans who are purchasing farms, homes and mobile home properties.

TBG Votes: No. Nearly one billion dollars to throw down the California housing sinkhole at a time when our state's economics look like sh*t? Replace "veterans" with any other needy group and it's rationalized away by everyone.