September
2008
The time to vote your conscience is coming!0
As a 501(c)3 organization, PCU does not take positions on every piece of legislation or every ballot measure that concerns California and its future. PCU does take positions on public issues that impinge upon or implicate the deepest principles that PCU seeks to uphold. PCU is centrally committed to the principles of equal justice and support for the least among us. This is the ethical frame from which we approach this year’s ballot measures.
We have selected five of the upcoming ballot measures for closer scrutiny, and over the next few weeks we will bring you our analysis of each in the weeks leading up to the election.
As a Summary:
Proposition 4 - OPPOSED
Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before
Termination of a Minor’s Pregnancy (amendment).
Summary: Amends the California Constitution to prohibit abortion for minors until 48 hours after physician notifies minor’s parent, legal guardian, or, if parental abuse reported, another adult family member.
Proposition 5 - IN SUPPORT
Nonviolent Offenders (statute)
Summary: Requires the state to expand and increase funding and oversight for individualized treatment and rehabilitation programs for nonviolent drug offenders and parolees. Reduces the criminal consequences of nonviolent drug offenses.
Proposition 6 - OPPOSED
Criminal Penalties and Laws (statute)
Summary: Requires new state spending on various programs to combat crime and gangs. Increases penalties for several crimes. Eliminates bail for illegal immigrants charged with violent or gang-related felonies. Changes the rules of evidence to allow the use of hearsay statements as evidence when witnesses are unavailable.
Proposition 8 - OPPOSED
Limit on Marriage (amendment)
Summary: Eliminates the existing right of same-sex couples to be legally married in the State of California. Effectively voids the 2008 California Supreme Court ruling affirming marriage equality under the equal protection provisions of the state constitution.
Proposition 9 - OPPOSED
Victims’ Rights (amendment and statute)
Summary: Requires notification to victim and opportunity for victim input during all phases of the criminal justice process, including bail, please, sentencing, and parole.
Stay tuned in coming weeks for in depth analysis of all of the propositions leading up to the Nov Elections.