So many propositions, so much to decide

The Bee’s editorial board, whose members can be seen at the bottom of this page, have studied most of the statewide ballot propositions and reached a consensus for recommendations – except in a few cases. Those will require more study; the board anticipates making its recommendation on those issues soon. Here are The Bee’s recommendations so far:

▪ Proposition 51, $9 billion school construction bonds. Yes. For more than a century, the state has used such bonds to fund school buildings; this one includes renovations.

▪ Proposition 52, Hospital fees extension. Yes. Even the hospitals are in favor of taxing themselves to provide better care for the poor.

▪ Proposition 53, Voter approval for bonded projects in excess of $2 billion. Undecided. We like the concept but worry about some unintended consequences.

▪ Proposition 54, Legislative transparency. Yes. Would require all legislation to be available to the public for 72 hours before a vote can be taken.

▪ Proposition 55, Education tax extension. Yes. We don’t like extending taxes, but without it teachers and other educators could be laid off.

▪ Proposition 56, Tobacco tax. Yes. After 16 years, it’s time to increase the price per pack to make tobacco use less affordable.

▪ Proposition 57, Revisions in parole structure. No. Gov. Jerry Brown considers this his most important legacy, but local law enforcement is adamantly opposed.

▪ Proposition 58, Bilingual education. Yes. Allows students to learn subject matter in their first language.

▪ Proposition 59, Citizens United referendum. Yes. This shouldn’t be on the ballot, but the U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing unlimited hidden political contributions should be overturned.

▪ Proposition 60, Condoms for pornographic actors. No. It will be impossible to police this industry, and we don’t like allowing lawyers to sue for rewards.

▪ Proposition 61, Drug pricing limits. No. Unintended consequences of this initiative could increase drug prices for veterans and everyone else.

▪ Proposition 62, Abolish death penalty. Yes. Too many deadly mistakes, costs are too high.

▪ Proposition 63, Limits on ammunition purchases. Yes. The idea of background checks for bullets is appealing, but is it unwieldy?

▪ Proposition 64, Recreational marijuana. Yes. Learning from legalization efforts in Colorado and Oregon, this is our best chance to control and tax an existing underground industry.

▪ Proposition 65, Disposable bag fees. No. This is subterfuge, an effort to overturn the ban enacted in 2014.

▪ Proposition 66, Speeding up death penalty. No. Any limits on death penalty appeals will result in killing innocent people.

▪ Proposition 67, Disposable bag referendum. Yes. This reaffirms the ban on plastic bags.

Other recommendations:

▪ President: Hillary Clinton

▪ U.S. Senate: Kamala Harris

▪ 10th Congressional District: Michael Eggman

▪ Stanislaus Measure L, Transportation sales tax: Yes

This story was originally published October 17, 2016 at 3:40 PM with the headline "So many propositions, so much to decide."