Pitman students take on CA ballot propositions | Letters to the editor: Nov. 8, 2022

Protect women’s rights

Proposition 1 needs to be passed in order to secure reproductive freedoms by amending these rights into the state Constitution. After the overturning of Roe v. Wade earlier this year, Gov. Newsom has signed bills that protect people from persecution and lawsuits. If not passed, it puts the reproductive rights of Californians in danger.

Reproductive rights and freedoms have more meaning than just abortion. If these rights are taken away, women will not have access to safe medical procedures done by professionals who are needed in case of a miscarriage and other health conditions in pregnancy. Access to contraceptives could be taken away, which can interfere with hormonal regulation and pregnancy prevention. If not amended into the state Constitution, women may turn to unsafe and illegal methods to terminate pregnancies, which will result in more deaths and birth complications.

Ariana Galaz, Turlock

Don’t encourage gambling

I am outraged at Proposition 27. The only people who benefit are large gambling companies, while it makes life harder for families.

Prop. 27 promises that all income that these gambling companies make from sports betting will be used for homelessness programs and given to nonparticipating tribes, but in the fine print it also says that some of the income will be used for “regulatory costs.” How do we know that they won’t be just taking all the money? Gambling companies aren’t nonprofit; they will try to siphon as much as they can from anyone they can.

We have to think about who this proposition will affect — gambling addicts and their families. Over 10 million people suffer from a gambling addiction that’s not their fault; their brain has just wired itself to gamble until they don’t even have a penny left, and some of these addicts have families they are responsible for providing for. Prop. 27 just makes it easier for these families to suffer.

Kyle Matter, Turlock

Yes on school arts

Voters have the power to approve Proposition 28, which will allocate 1% of California’s education budget to fund arts instruction in K-12 public schools and open an opportunity to make all students more well-rounded.

With the staggering effects on mental health from the COVID-19 pandemic, students have an imperative need for healthy approaches to lower stress and outlets to stimulate social skills. Additionally, many students lack methods of fostering self-expression, and having schools devote a part of students’ education to the arts would help replenish this abyss. This measure has the potential to make a substantial difference in students’ educational journey and individual development.

Clarisa Garcia, Turlock

No on Prop. 30

Proposition 30 will tax the wealthy and put it toward things we do not need. Our wealthy people are the ones providing services, businesses and, most importantly, jobs. Taking money out of their pockets, out of their businesses, will hurt us more than what the money is attempting to solve. Wildfire prevention is a useless countermeasure against these fires. Almost all wildfires are caused by human disregard.

Using a process to create zero-emission gas cars is a better option and could help reduce carbon pollution immediately. Funding electric vehicle programs basically means that they will create more charging stations, but will not fix power grid problems.

We don’t need to tax our wealthy Californians, who already pay more taxes than anywhere else in the country.

Dominick Alves, Turlock

Flavored tobacco hooks youth

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, most adolescents (eventually) will die prematurely from smoke-related diseases. Tobacco companies are creating flavors that are appealing to young children. What child wouldn’t be curious when there are flavors like green apple, cherry and blue raspberry?

Even secondhand smoke will still have negative effects on the bodies of children that can lead to lung-related illnesses. The use of tobacco can also greatly harm the brains of children, which are still developing. Proposition 31, which would ban the sale of flavored tobacco products and tobacco enhancers, will greatly help our communities.

Maria Gamino, Keyes