I won’t spend too much time on this Field Poll on Turnout for the special election, as I need to get back into the field for more GOTV precinct walking.  It’s all over the news, including the cover of the San Francisco Chronicle:

An estimated 6.8 million Californians are expected to go to the polls today despite early concerns — and Republican hopes — that the all-initiative special election would be largely ignored by voters.

Voters will decide statewide measures on issues ranging from teacher tenure to the costs of prescription drugs in an election that already has generated spending of more than $300 million and is among the most expensive campaigns in California history.

You heard that right.  $300 million for this stupid election.  They could have just given every voter $25 and saved the change for education. Or not, I guess Arnold’s priorities are different than ours.  All the more reason to ensure that we defeat the props today and Arnold in 2006.

Also, I’m not sure what to make of the absentee turnout numbers, which may rise to as high as 40%.  In theory absentee votes trend a little more on the conservative side, soo it does seem a little scary.  However, in this election, I don’t think you can apply the conventional wisdom.  I will be disecting the numbers after the election.  Hopefully, I’ll be able to provide a full roundup of trends, turnout, voting patterns, etc.

These endorsements represent nothing but my own views.  Take them for what it’s worth.

For some other recommendations see:

LA Times Survey of Newspaper Endorsements

SF Chronicle

LA Weekly (also, Ezra Klein)

SF Bay Guardian

Alice B. Toklas LGBT Club (w/ SF recommendations)

Plan C SF (SF Moderates) (PDF) (SF-related only)

California Propositions

Prop  73 – Waiting Period and Parental Notification Before Termination of Minor’s Pregnancy: No

73 defines a fetus as a person and allows for the prosecution of an illegally preformed abortion.  It sets a bad precedent in the battles to come. No on 73.

Prop 74: Public School Teachers. Waiting Period for Permanent Status. Dismissal. : NO

Teachers work very hard.  Tenure provides only due process, not the guarantee of a job.  We owe at least that much to teachers.  Vote NO on 74.

Prop 75: Public Employee Union Dues. Restrictions on Political Contributions. Employee Consent Requirement. NO

There are several reasons that I don’t like 75.  First, it weakens unions unnecssarily.  Union members already have the easy option to opt-out of political spending.  Also, 75 only addresses unions.  If this was truly about transparency, corporate donations would also be addressed. You can’t take the voice away from workers and leave corporate voices to scream in Sacramento.  No on 75.

Prop 76: State Spending and School Funding Limits. NO

The Governor, especially this governor, does not need these additional powers.  It makes the governor far more powerful than California’s founding fathers envisioned, to the detriment of the seperation of powers between the legislature and the governor. No on 76.

Prop 77: Redistricting: NO

We need redistricting reform.  However, 77 is not the way to do it.  It is an unclear and bizarre means of redistricting.  We need fair redistricting, with time for public input.  No on 77.

Prop 78: Discounts on Prescription Drugs. NO

Big Pharma’s response to what they say as the danger of Prop 79.  79 is a better plan.  Vote No on 78.

Prop 79: Prescription Drug Discounts. State-Negotiated Rebates.Yes.

79 gives real teeth to the prescription drug discounts by requiring the companies to deal with the State’s large bargaining power.  There are also good enforcement provisions to make sure the drug companies follow the law.  Vote YES on 79.

Prop 80: Electric Service Providers. Regulation: No Recommendation

I know many progressives are in support of 80, but I cannot endorse it myself.  It seems hastily assembled and too complicated for most voters.  I think this is an issue that is best dealt with in the legislature.

San Francisco City Officials

San Francisco Treasurer: Jose Cisneros ~ A highly qualified treasurer with the added benefits of being an openly gay city official.

San Francisco Assessor:
1st Choice: Phil Ting ~ A good manager.  Very supportive of LGBT rights.

2nd Choice: Ron Chun ~ A skilled tax attorney

San Francisco City Attorney: Dennis Herera: Has fought hard for the rights of the city and its citizens.  He deserves re-election.

San Francisco Initiatives

More information from the City

A – Community College District General Obligation Bonds  Yes

CCSF needs additional funding to help train the city’s workforce.

B – Street and Sidewalk Improvement Bond  No.  Reform the Department of Public Works and its funding first.  Then, if we still need more money, we can talk.

C – Ethics Commission Budget and Outside Counsel. No, This is a decision for the Board of Supervisors.  Stop bothering the voters with these issues.

D – Appointment of Municipal Transportation Agency Board of Directors  No.  This just shifts power to the Board of Supervisors.  It is nothing more than a power grab by the Supes.

E – Election Date of the Assessor – Recorder and Public Defender  Yes.  Common sense adjustment to conform with ranked choice voting.

F – Neighborhood Firehouses. No.  The Board and Mayor have already reviewed the issue.  It should remain in their hands.

G – Access to Underground Parking at Golden Gate Park  Yes, I would love to be able to park at the Park finally.  This is a reasonable accomadation of all sides.

H – Firearm Ban  No. Constitutionally questionable and ineffective.  It will end up costing us money in legal bills.

I – No Military Recruiters in Public Schools, Scholarships for Education and Job Training.

No Recommendation: Military Recruiters shouldn’t be in our schools, but this proposal risks No Child Left Behind Funding.  How much is it worth to you?

(Oh, wouldn’t it be nice if it were true? It’s great for the laughs! – promoted by SFBrianCL)

Sacramento, CA (UPSI) – On the eve of Californians going to the polls on numerous referendums promoted and supported by Governor Schwarzenegger, he appears to have made a dramatic last minute reversal and now supports defeat of all the referendums across the board. The governor was seen at many locations today at the last minute apparently campaigning for the overthrow of all of the referendums, particularly proposition 75 which has upset the state’s teachers and firefighters as well as other organized unions. The referendums appear doomed to defeat based upon ongoing popular polls.

More in the extended [Edited by Brian for space]

The governor could not be reached for comment tonight, but a spokesperson heatedly denied the governor’s abandonment of his own propositions. When confronted with video footage and still photos of the governor attending and supporting an Anti-proposition 75 rally, the spokesperson immediately accused the California Democratic Party of a last minute campaign of dirty tricks intended to blur the issues and suppress Republican voter turn out.

“I’m positive it was him,” said Florence N. Gayle, a local registered nurse. “I’ve hated that face for over a year now, and I’m certain that I would recognize him in person. He stepped up to the microphone, and when everybody finally stopped booing, he explained about how he thought the whole prop 75 was a bad idea now, and apologized. The crowd went wild after a moment or so and then he rushed off. I’d recognize that accent anywhere, it was him, I’m positive.”

The governor’s office later issued a statement that the California State Patrol had issued an all points bulletin for the arrest of Warren Beatty, a Hollywood actor, and one of Governor Schwarzenegger’s most vocal opponents of the group of initiatives. Mr. Beatty was reached through his lawyer at an undisclosed location, and expressed surprise in the state’s interest in him. He further stated that he would not, at this time be turning himself over to custody, but stated simply, “I’ll be back.”