Election 2008: California State Propositions

KQED presents a guide to the 2008 California state ballot initiatives. Beneath a summary of each proposition are links to video from KQED's This Week in Northern California, audio from KQED Public Radio, and analysis from the League of Women Voters and the Institute of Governmental Studies at UC Berkeley.

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Proposition 1A: High-Speed Rail
Proposition 1A would provide for a bond issue of $9.95 billion to establish high-speed train service linking Southern California counties, the Sacramento/San Joaquin Valley, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

• From KQED:
• This Week in Northern California discussion on Proposition 1A
• Forum discussion on Proposition 1A
• The California Report on Proposition 1A
• 
  Third-party analysis:
• League of Women Voters' Analysis
• IGS Library at UC Berkeley Analysis

Proposition 2: Treatment of Farm Animals
Proposition 2 would prohibit, with certain exceptions, the confinement on a farm of pregnant pigs, calves raised for veal, and egg-laying hens in any manner that does not allow them to turn around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend their limbs.

• From KQED:
• This Week in Northern California discussion on Proposition 2 (airs Monday, Nov. 3)
• Forum discussion on Proposition 2
• The California Report on Proposition 2
• 
  Third-party analysis:
• League of Women Voters' Analysis
• IGS Library at UC Berkeley Analysis

Proposition 3: Bonds for Children's Hospitals
Prop 3 would authorize the sale of $980 million in general obligation bonds to raise money for children's hospitals in California. The money would be used for improvement projects including new construction, remodeling and renovation of hospital facilities.

• From KQED:
• This Week in Northern California discussion on Proposition 3 (airs Monday, Nov. 3)
• 
  Third-party analysis:
• League of Women Voters' Analysis
• IGS Library at UC Berkeley Analysis

Proposition 4: Parental Notification
Proposition 4 would prohibit abortion for minors until 48 hours after the minor's parent or legal guardian has been notified. Alternate family members could be notified in cases of abuse. Notification could be overruled in cases of emergency or by parental and court waivers.

• From KQED:
• This Week in Northern California discussion on Proposition 4 (final segment)
• Forum discussion on Proposition 4 (second half hour)
• The California Report on Proposition 4
• 
  Third-party analysis:
• League of Women Voters' Analysis
• IGS Library at UC Berkeley Analysis

Proposition 5: Changes to Drug treatment and Parole Laws
Proposition 5 would alter California's parole system and expand the state's current drug treatment program for offenders.

• From KQED:
• This Week in Northern California discussion on Proposition 5
• Forum discussion on Proposition 5
• The California Report on Proposition 5
• 
  Third-party analysis:
• League of Women Voters' Analysis
• IGS Library at UC Berkeley Analysis

Proposition 6: Changes to Parole, Sentencing and Juvenile Justice System Laws
Proposition 6 would alter California law to increase penalties on certain crimes in the state. It would change California's parole system by lowering caseloads for parole agents and would require the state to pay for the tracking of convicted Sex offenders. Proposition 6 would also expand juvenile sentencing and crime prevention.

• From KQED:
• This Week in Northern California discussion on Proposition 6
• Forum discussion on Proposition 6
• The California Report on Proposition 6
• 
  Third-party analysis:
• League of Women Voters' Analysis
• IGS Library at UC Berkeley Analysis

Proposition 7: Renewable Energy Generation
Proposition would impose new regulations on utility companies, including government-owned utilities, including a requirement that all utilities generate 20% of their power with "solar and clean energy resources" by 2010 and 50% by 2025.

• From KQED:
• This Week in Northern California discussion on Proposition 7
• Forum discussion on Proposition 7 (second half hour)
• The California Report on Proposition 7
• 
  Third-party analysis:
• League of Women Voters' Analysis
• IGS Library at UC Berkeley Analysis

Proposition 8: Eliminates Right of Same-sex Couples to Marry
Proposition 8 would amend the state constitution to provide that only marriage that is between one man and one woman is recognized or valid and would eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry.

• From KQED:
• This Week in Northern California discussion on Proposition 8 (final segment)
• Forum discussion on Proposition 8
• The California Report on Proposition 8 and campaign spending
• The California Report on Proposition 8 and voters of color
• The California Report on Proposition 8 and Catholics
• 
  Third-party analysis:
• League of Women Voters' Analysis
• IGS Library at UC Berkeley Analysis

Proposition 9: Victims' Rights
Proposition 9 would change the state constitution to allow victims and their families more involvement in the justice process, including bail, sentencing and parole.

• From KQED:
• This Week in Northern California discussion on Proposition 9
• Forum discussion on Proposition 9 (second half hour)
• 
  Third-party analysis:
• League of Women Voters' Analysis
• IGS Library at UC Berkeley Analysis

Proposition 10: Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Renewable Energy
Proposition 10 would authorize the sale of $5 billion in general obligation bonds to be sold for renewable energy, alternative fuel, and clean air programs.

• From KQED:
• This Week in Northern California discussion on Proposition 10
• Forum discussion on Proposition 10
• The California Report on Proposition 10
• 
  Third-party analysis:
• League of Women Voters' Analysis
• IGS Library at UC Berkeley Analysis

Proposition 11: Redistricting
Proposition 11 would transfer authority to redraw Assembly, Senate, and Board of Equalization district boundaries from the legislature to a 14-person legislative redistricting commission.

• From KQED:
• This Week in Northern California discussion on Proposition 11 (third segment)
• Forum discussion on Proposition 11
• The California Report on Proposition 11 (part one)
• The California Report on Proposition 11 (part two)
• 
  Third-party analysis:
• League of Women Voters' Analysis
• IGS Library at UC Berkeley Analysis

Proposition 12: Veterans' Bond Act of 2008
Proposition 12 authorizes the state to sell $900 million in general obligation bonds for the Cal-Vet program. The funds generated would enable approximately 3,600 additional veterans to receive home loans.

• From KQED:
• This Week in Northern California discussion on Proposition 12 (airs Monday, Nov. 3)
• 
  Third-party analysis:
• League of Women Voters' Analysis
• IGS Library at UC Berkeley Analysis

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Text summaries of each initiative courtesy of the Institute of Governmental Studies at UC Berkeley.