On November 3, 2020, Californians not only cast their votes for the US presidential election but also decided the fate of 12 propositions or "props." These props covered a range of issues, from rent control to voting rights. Let's take a closer look at each one.
Prop 14: Stem Cell Research
Prop 14 authorizes the state to issue $5.5 billion in bonds for stem cell research and medical treatments. The funds will go towards research on treatments for cancer, Alzheimer's, and other diseases.
Prop 15: Commercial Property Taxes
Prop 15 seeks to increase property taxes for commercial properties valued over $3 million. This would bring in an estimated $6.5 to $11.5 billion in revenue for schools and local governments.
Prop 16: Affirmative Action
Prop 16 repeals the ban on affirmative action in the state's public institutions. This would allow schools and government agencies to consider factors such as race and gender in their admissions and hiring processes.
Prop 17: Voting Rights
Prop 17 restores the voting rights of people on parole. Previously, California was one of three states that did not allow people on parole to vote.
Prop 18: Voting Age
Prop 18 allows 17-year-olds who will turn 18 by the general election to vote in primary and special elections. This would apply to both state and federal elections.
Prop 19: Property Tax Transfers
Prop 19 allows homeowners who are over 55, disabled, or victims of natural disasters to transfer their property tax base to a new home, regardless of the new home's value or location. It also limits the ability of children to inherit their parents' property tax base.
Prop 20: Criminal Sentencing
Prop 20 seeks to increase penalties for certain crimes, such as theft and domestic violence, and restrict early parole for nonviolent offenders. It also expands DNA collection for certain crimes.
Prop 21: Rent Control
Prop 21 allows cities and counties to implement rent control on properties that are more than 15 years old. It also allows rent increases of up to 15% over three years for new tenants after a vacancy.
Prop 22: Gig Worker Classification
Prop 22 classifies app-based drivers for companies such as Lyft and Uber as independent contractors rather than employees. It also provides some benefits, such as minimum earnings and healthcare subsidies, but not full employee benefits.
Prop 23: Dialysis Clinic Requirements
Prop 23 requires dialysis clinics to have a physician present during all treatments and to report infection data to the state. It also prohibits clinics from refusing to treat patients based on their insurance type or payment source.
Prop 24: Consumer Privacy
Prop 24 strengthens the state's consumer privacy laws, including requiring businesses to disclose how they collect and use personal information and giving consumers the right to opt-out of the sale of their personal information.
Prop 25: Cash Bail
Prop 25 eliminates cash bail and replaces it with a system that uses risk assessments to determine whether a defendant should be released before trial. This was a referendum on a 2018 bill that was signed into law but challenged by bail bond companies.
Overall, the props that passed in California cover a wide range of issues, from social justice to healthcare to consumer privacy. It remains to be seen how these props will be implemented and what impact they will have on Californians.