Ballot Proposition Analyses - Legislative Analyst's Office

Ballot Propositions

Proposition 30
Temporary Taxes to Fund Education. Guaranteed Local Public Safety Funding. Initiative Constitutional Amendment. (Nov 6, 2012)

A YES vote on this measure means: The state would increase personal income taxes on high-income taxpayers for seven years and sales taxes for four years. The new tax revenues would be available to fund programs in the state budget. A NO vote on this measure means: The state would not increase personal income taxes or sales taxes. State spending reductions, primarily to education programs, would take effect in 2012-13.
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Proposition 31
State Budget. State and Local Government. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute. (Nov 6, 2012)

A YES vote on this measure means: Certain fiscal responsibilities of the Legislature and Governor, including state and local budgeting and oversight procedures, would change. Local governments that create plans to coordinate services would receive funding from the state and could develop their own procedures for administering state programs. A NO vote on this measure means: The fiscal responsibilities of the Legislature and Governor, including state and local budgeting and oversight procedures, would not change. Local governments would not be given (1) funding to implement new plans that coordinate services or (2) authority to develop their own procedures for administering state programs.
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Proposition 32
Prohibits Political Contributions by Payroll Deduction. Prohibitions on Contributions to Candidates. Initiative Statute. (Nov 6, 2012)

A YES vote on this measure means: Unions and corporations could not use money deducted from an employee’s paycheck for political purposes. Unions, corporations, and government contractors would be subject to additional campaign finance restrictions. A NO vote on this measure means: There would be no change to existing laws regulating the ability of unions and corporations to use money deducted from an employee’s paycheck for political purposes. Unions, corporations, and government contractors would continue to be subject to existing campaign finance laws.
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Proposition 33
Changes Law to Allow Auto Insurance Companies to Set Prices Based on a Driver’s History of Insurance Coverage. Initiative Statute. (Nov 6, 2012)

A YES vote on this measure means: Insurance companies could offer new customers a discount on automobile insurance premiums based on the number of years in the previous five years that the customer was insured. A NO vote on this measure means: Insurers could continue to provide discounts to their long-term automobile insurance customers, but would continue to be prohibited from providing a discount to new customers switching from other insurers.
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Proposition 34
Death Penalty Repeal. Initiative Statute. (Nov 6, 2012)

A YES vote on this measure means: No offenders could be sentenced to death under state law. Offenders who are currently under a sentence of death would be resentenced to life without the possibility of parole. The state would provide a total of $100 million in grants to local law enforcement agencies over the next four years. A NO vote on this measure means: Certain offenders convicted for murder could continue to be sentenced to death. The status of offenders currently under a sentence of death would not change. The state would not be required to provide local law enforcement agencies with additional grant funding.
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Proposition 35
Human Trafficking. Penalties. Sex Offender Registration. Initiative Statute. (Nov 6, 2012)

A YES vote on this measure means: Longer prison sentences and larger fines for committing human trafficking crimes. A NO vote on this measure means: Existing criminal penalties for human trafficking would stay in effect.
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Proposition 36
Three Strikes Law. Sentencing for Repeat Felony Offenders. Initiative Statute. (Nov 6, 2012)

A YES vote on this measure means: Some criminal offenders with two prior serious or violent felony convictions who commit certain nonserious, non-violent felonies would be sentenced to shorter terms in state prison. In addition, some offenders with two prior serious or violent felony convictions who are currently serving life sentences for many nonserious, non-violent felony convictions could be resentenced to shorter prison terms. A NO vote on this measure means: Offenders with two prior serious or violent felony convictions who commit any new felony could continue to receive life sentences. In addition, offenders with two prior serious or violent felony convictions who are currently serving life sentences for nonserious, non-violent felonies would continue to serve the remainder of their life sentences.
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Proposition 37
Genetically Engineered Foods. Mandatory Labeling. Initiative Statute. (Nov 6, 2012)

A YES vote on this measure means: Genetically engineered foods sold in California would have to be specifically labeled as being genetically engineered. A NO vote on this measure means: Genetically engineered foods sold in California would continue not to have specific labeling requirements.
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Proposition 38
Tax for Education and Early Childhood Programs. Initiative Statute. (Nov 6, 2012)

A YES vote on this measure means: State personal income tax rates would increase for 12 years. The additional revenues would be used for schools, child care, preschool, and state debt payments. A NO vote on this measure means: State personal income tax rates would remain at their current levels. No additional funding would be available for schools, child care, preschool, and state debt payments.
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Proposition 39
Tax Treatment for Multistate Businesses. Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Funding. Initiative Statute. (Nov 6, 2012)

A YES vote on this measure means: Multistate businesses would no longer be able to choose the method for determining their state taxable income that is most advantageous for them. Some multistate businesses would have to pay more corporate income taxes due to this change. About half of this increased tax revenue over the next five years would be used to support energy efficiency and alternative energy projects. A NO vote on this measure means: Most multistate businesses would continue to be able to choose one of two methods to determine their California taxable income.
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Proposition 40
Redistricting. State Senate Districts. Referendum. (Nov 6, 2012)

A YES vote on this measure means: The state Senate district boundaries certified by the Citizens Redistricting Commission would continue to be used. A NO vote on this measure means: The California Supreme Court would appoint special masters to determine new state Senate district boundaries.
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