The Modesto Bee recommends these CA propositions and local candidates

These recommendations on California state propositions are intended to inform readers as they arrive at their own voting decisions. Endorsements represent a combined effort by McClatchy California opinion editors representing The Bee newspapers in Modesto, Sacramento and Fresno, as well as the Merced Sun-Star and San Luis Obispo Tribune, in research separate from newsroom coverage.

Access The Modesto Bee’s Voter Guide here.

Prop. 14: Yes

Stem-cell research is making a difference in finding cures and treatments for tough diseases. The previous funding is ending. This would provide $5.5 billion to keep California on the cutting edge of research.

Prop. 15: No

California’s taxing process is unfair and in need of a long-overdue overhaul. But with the economic carnage created by the coronavirus pandemic, this is not the right time to begin the process.

Prop. 16: Yes

Passage would allow state universities like Stanislaus State, along with government agencies, to consider race and gender in recruitment, admissions, hiring and contracting. California is one of only 10 states that ban affirmative action. It is time to change that.

Prop. 17: Yes

Lots of lip service is given to rehabilitating prisoners for life outside the bars. This measure is a good step toward that goal. Allowing parolees to vote once they are released puts them on the path of good citizenship.

Prop. 18: Yes

Anything that encourages voting is good. People turning 18 by a November election can go ahead and vote in the primary and special elections as 17-year-olds. Young voters have the most at stake in elections. This gets them involved.

Prop. 19: Yes

Seniors who want to downsize from the homes they raised their children in can do so and keep their current property tax rate under this measure. Plus a portion of the proceeds would be dedicated to firefighting agencies.

Prop. 20: No

California embraced criminal justice reform, and last year, crime in California fell to its lowest level in recorded state history. Prop. 20 is an attempt to scare voters and restore the ghastly prison industrial complex.

Prop. 21: No

This would allow cities to enact rent control. But California desperately needs more housing, not measures that discourage building. The state last year enacted the nation’s toughest rent-control law. It should have a chance to work first.

Prop. 22: No

The gig economy offers new ways for people to work, and the services they provide are wonderful. But this is special-interest legislation for a weighty issue: what labor protections and benefits should gig workers receive? That is a matter for the Legislature.

Prop. 23: No

This would require physicians on site for kidney dialysis. But the current system uses specially trained technicians and nurses, and works well. Clinics could close because Prop. 23 will create higher costs. This is a special-interest fix for what’s not broken.

Prop. 24: Yes

This would strengthen online consumer privacy laws and create a new state agency to enforce them. While it’s not the last word in consumer protection, it will provide meaningful safeguards.

Prop. 25: Yes

Outdated, unfair and racist are words to describe California’s cash-bail system. This would replace cash bail with risk assessments made by law officers and judges. Poor people would not be unfairly kept behind bars before their cases are considered.

Access The Modesto Bee’s Voter Guide here.

Other recommendations

These endorsements represent the consensus of The Modesto Bee Editorial Board.

• U.S. Congress, California District 10: Josh Harder
• California Fifth Senate District: Susan Talamantes Eggman
• Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors, Bill Zoslocki in District 1, Tom Hallinan in District 5
• Modesto Mayor: Sue Zwahlen
• Modesto City Council: Jennifer Hidalgo in District 1, Jim Applegate in District 3, Hunter Sauls in District 6
• Ceres mayor: Bret Durossette
• Patterson mayor: Dennis McCord
• Modesto Irrigation District, Division 1: Suzy Powell Roos

This story was originally published October 20, 2020 at 11:40 AM.