California elections: Here we go again!

Great friend and serial contributor to LWC Guy Heston once again shares his observations on elections -- especially those in the Great State of California.

 

When I wrote on these pages last May it was to wearily note the time consuming task of deciding how to vote in the June 2018 California state primary election. There were 59 candidates for governor and lieutenant governor. Voters were expected to wade through the official state voter information guide the size of an old-fashioned telephone book.

Oh, those were such simpler days. We Golden Staters have moved on to the general election, which will come to a merciful conclusion November 6. If you live anywhere in the United States, I suspect you feel the same way.

This time here in our corner of the left coast, the state voter information guide is 96 pages, supplemented in my case by a separate county election guide that is 86 pages. For some reason the state numbers the pages of its guide but my county does not. I only know the county guide is 86 pages because I counted—when you are retired you have time for these things. I would definitely support a new California regulation requiring all county guides to number their pages.

Luckily, because of the June primary we are down to just two candidates each for all of the state-elected offices. Thanks to one of those quirky California rules (yes, we voters passed a state proposition authorizing it), the finals consist of the top two candidates from the primary, regardless of party affiliation. So for lieutenant governor and U.S. senator it is Democratic vs. Democratic candidate, and in one state assembly district it is Democratic vs. Libertarian. It is so Californian!

This general election we have just twelve state propositions to decide. Shall we approve bonds to fund housing for low income residents and individuals with mental illness, water supply projects and construction for non-profit children’s hospitals? These are propositions that don’t seem to generate much public discussion—who wants to argue against construction projects for non-profit children’s hospitals? The state voter guide does have a nice chart showing how much all of the bonds voters have approved are projected to cost over the years. Just so we know.

The real action is further down the California ballot where special interest groups are having at it and spending, according to my rough estimate, a gazillion dollars.

Many Republicans are hoping the proposed repeal of increased gas taxes that were approved by the state legislature in 2017 will bring out the anti-tax vote and perhaps save a few state and Congressional seats in swing districts. And many Democrats imply repeal of the taxes would result in driving on dirt roads with no emergency access.

Meanwhile, the unions and business interests are engaged in the usual California election slugfests. One proposition would stipulate work rules for ambulance personnel. Roughly $30 million is being spent in support or opposition, most of the dollars coming from ambulance companies.

But the biggest big dollar battle is Proposition 8, which would limit the profits of kidney dialysis centers. The sponsor is the Service Employees International Union Health Care Workers, ponying up more than $20 million for the cause. As you might imagine, the owners of dialysis centers, the two biggest being DaVita and Fresenios, are more than slightly worked up; and, according to calmatters.org, have pumped in $111 million in opposition. Believe me when I say you cannot watch television in California for long without a Proposition 8 ad. The television sales people must love it.

On top of the above I am asked to weigh in on re-electing state judges (yes or no), electing county judges, a county water bill and various local ballot measures about terms limits, ethics commissions and such. I will spare you the details because, having pored through the state and county guides, I am weary and bleary-eyed.

Yes, elections can be time consuming and challenging for voters, and, whatever your political leanings, perhaps it is time to reconsider campaign finance rules so we retirees can watch “Judge Judy” or reruns of “The Big Bang Theory” in peace. However you feel, let’s get out there and vote! Even in our troubled times, the ballot box is sweet.