The Shadow's California Primary Recommendations
The Shadow recently gave his endorsement for the California Presidential Primary on February 5, 2008. However, there are other issues in California and San Francisco that will be coming up at that same election. As is traditional, The Shadow will now give his recommendations for next Tuesday's primary in California.
State Propositions
Proposition 91 -- This was a measure that would restrict the spending of gax taxes for transportation. This proposition is no longer needed because of legislation passed in 2006. The Shadow recommends a no vote on this.
Proposition 92 -- This proposition would help fund community colleges in California. Under a formula that makes no sense, most of the funding would be guaranteed to community colleges at the expense of K-12 schools. As much as the community college system is good for California's economy, this formula needs to be re-worked. The Shadow recommends a no vote on this.
Proposition 93 -- This proposition would revise the term limits for member of the Assembly. It would allow a member to serve 12 years in one house or the other instead of 14 years total in both houses. It would also grandfather in those who are currently serving to serve an additional term in the House and Senate. This measure is too self-serving for those currently in the legislature and needs to be re-worked. The Shadow recommends a no vote on this.
Propositions 94-97 -- These propositions are referendums on four Indian gaming pact that the four largest Indian tribes in California (all of them based in Southern California) negotiated with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and ratified by the General Assembly. The campaigning for this has been fierce with proponents stating that these four tribes (who are the wealthiest in the State) would add another $9 billion to the State's General Fund. But it would also add 17,000 new slot machines as well. These figures are estimates only -- no one knows what the true economic benefit of this would be. The legislature needs to tighten these agreements so that actual numbers can be formulated and budgeted. The Shadow recommends a no vote on each proposition.
San Francisco Propositions
Proposition A -- This is a bond measure that would provide $185 million for park renovations for every park owned by the City of San Francisco. This would include repairs of restrooms, playground equipment, forestry and the like. This is a win-win for the city. The Shadow recommends a yes vote on this.
Proposition B -- This proposition creates a new program for the San Francisco Police Department. It allows police personnel who are close to retirement to stay on the force for an additional three years. During that time, their pension would be put into a 401K program while they are still receiving a salary. No other entity, public or private, gets this type of deal and while the theory of it -- keeping good people on the police force -- is laudable, this is not the way to do it. The Shadow recommends a no vote on this.
Proposition C -- This is a non-binding advisory proposition stating that it will be the policy of the City and County of San Francisco to purchase Alcatraz Island from the federal government and turn it into a peace center. The Shadow will not even get into how silly this sounds. We recommend a no vote on this.
Summary
Following are The Shadow's final recommendations:
Good night and good luck.
State Propositions
Proposition 91 -- This was a measure that would restrict the spending of gax taxes for transportation. This proposition is no longer needed because of legislation passed in 2006. The Shadow recommends a no vote on this.
Proposition 92 -- This proposition would help fund community colleges in California. Under a formula that makes no sense, most of the funding would be guaranteed to community colleges at the expense of K-12 schools. As much as the community college system is good for California's economy, this formula needs to be re-worked. The Shadow recommends a no vote on this.
Proposition 93 -- This proposition would revise the term limits for member of the Assembly. It would allow a member to serve 12 years in one house or the other instead of 14 years total in both houses. It would also grandfather in those who are currently serving to serve an additional term in the House and Senate. This measure is too self-serving for those currently in the legislature and needs to be re-worked. The Shadow recommends a no vote on this.
Propositions 94-97 -- These propositions are referendums on four Indian gaming pact that the four largest Indian tribes in California (all of them based in Southern California) negotiated with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and ratified by the General Assembly. The campaigning for this has been fierce with proponents stating that these four tribes (who are the wealthiest in the State) would add another $9 billion to the State's General Fund. But it would also add 17,000 new slot machines as well. These figures are estimates only -- no one knows what the true economic benefit of this would be. The legislature needs to tighten these agreements so that actual numbers can be formulated and budgeted. The Shadow recommends a no vote on each proposition.
San Francisco Propositions
Proposition A -- This is a bond measure that would provide $185 million for park renovations for every park owned by the City of San Francisco. This would include repairs of restrooms, playground equipment, forestry and the like. This is a win-win for the city. The Shadow recommends a yes vote on this.
Proposition B -- This proposition creates a new program for the San Francisco Police Department. It allows police personnel who are close to retirement to stay on the force for an additional three years. During that time, their pension would be put into a 401K program while they are still receiving a salary. No other entity, public or private, gets this type of deal and while the theory of it -- keeping good people on the police force -- is laudable, this is not the way to do it. The Shadow recommends a no vote on this.
Proposition C -- This is a non-binding advisory proposition stating that it will be the policy of the City and County of San Francisco to purchase Alcatraz Island from the federal government and turn it into a peace center. The Shadow will not even get into how silly this sounds. We recommend a no vote on this.
Summary
Following are The Shadow's final recommendations:
- President (Democrat) -- Hillary Rodham Clinton
- Proposition 91 -- No
- Proposition 92 -- No
- Proposition 93 -- No
- Proposition 94 -- No
- Proposition 95 -- No
- Proposition 96 -- No
- Proposition 97 -- No
- Proposition A -- Yes
- Proposition B -- No
- Proposition C -- No
Good night and good luck.
posted by The Shadow at 7:36 PM
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