Legislative Analyst's Office: Recent Analyses of Initiatives and Propositionshttp://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/Initiatives.aspxAll Ballot AnalysesThis measure creates the Forest Conservation and Resource Management Department, which would have the responsibility to (1) protect and manage forests and watersheds on public land and (2) regulate timber harvesting in the state.http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=1002http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=1002Fri, 12 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMTAll Ballot AnalysesProposed statutory initiative concerning oil and gas severance taxes and funding for education, parks and recreation, clean energy research and development, and local infrastructure projects.http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=1001http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=1001Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMTAll Ballot AnalysesProposal Increase in Cigarette Excise Tax. The measure increases the state excise tax on cigarettes by $1 per pack of 20, increasing the total state excise tax to $1.87 per pack. Tax Revenues Deposited Into New Special Fund. Revenues from the $1 per pack cigarette tax increase imposed by this measure would be deposited to a new special fund—the California Residents College Accessibility and Affordability Fund. These funds would be continuously appropriated according to the measure’s provisions, as discussed below. The measure prohibits the state from transferring or loaning these funds to the state General Fund or any other state fund.http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=1000http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=1000Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMTAll Ballot AnalysesThis measure immediately prohibits the generation of nuclear power in the state, including by existing power plants, until such time as the CEC finds, and the Legislature affirms, that the federal government has identified and approved a demonstrated technology for: 1) The construction and operation of nuclear fuel rod reprocessing plants. 2) The permanent disposal of high-level nuclear waste. The measure would result in the immediate shut down of the nuclear power plants in the state. Such plants would remain shut down until such time as the conditions outlined above were met. http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=999http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=999Fri, 18 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMTAll Ballot AnalysesThis measure creates the California Electrical Utility District, which would have the responsibility to provide electricity service to customers within the territory currently served by the three largest electricity investor-owned utilities in the state—Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas and Electric. This new district would be governed by a board of directors that would have the authority to establish electricity rates, enforce electricity regulations and contracts, condemn for public use privately held property, and issue bonds for certain purposes.http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=998http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=998Fri, 18 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMTAll Ballot AnalysesThis proposed constitutional and statutory measure increases a number of state taxes. Revenues from the taxes increased by this measure would be deposited into a new special fund. The initiative establishes minimum state spending requirements for higher education; reduces tuition and fees at UC, CSU, and CCC to their 2009-10 levels, adjusted for inflation; and would have the Speaker of the California Assembly establish a new commission which would be required to make recommendations to improve efficiencies at the three segments.http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=997http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=997Wed, 31 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMTAll Ballot AnalysesA 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. http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=996http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=996Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMTAll Ballot AnalysesA 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. http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=995http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=995Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMTAll Ballot AnalysesA 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. http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=994http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=994Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMTAll Ballot AnalysesA 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. http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=993http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=993Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMTAll Ballot AnalysesA 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. http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=992http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=992Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMTAll Ballot AnalysesA 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. http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=991http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=991Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMTAll Ballot AnalysesA 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. http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=990http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=990Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMTAll Ballot AnalysesA 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. http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=989http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=989Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMTAll Ballot AnalysesA 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. http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=988http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=988Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMTAll Ballot AnalysesA 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. http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=987http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=987Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMTAll Ballot AnalysesA 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. http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=986http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=986Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMTAll Ballot AnalysesThe measure imposes a 25 percent tax on the value of all oil and gas extracted in California or its state offshore waters that extend out three miles from the coastline. Oil and gas produced in federal waters would be exempt. http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=985http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=985Mon, 04 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMTAll Ballot AnalysesThis measure immediately prohibits the generation of nuclear power in the state, including by existing power plants, until such time as the CEC finds, and the Legislature affirms, that the federal government has identified and approved a demonstrated technology for the construction and operation of nuclear fuel rod reprocessing plants and the permanent disposal of high-level nuclear waste. http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=984http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=984Fri, 25 May 2012 00:00:00 GMTAll Ballot AnalysesThis measure would amend the Constitution to remove the property tax exemption for churches and other religious property. The measure would take effect in 2013.http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=983http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/ballot_source/BalDetails.aspx?id=983Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT