UPDATE: Up to $500,000, but only includes up to $200 per hour for outside agency officers and equipment costs, no double-time for Antioch Police officers

“This is a temporary measure. It is not a forever thing,” – Mayor Hernandez-Thorpe

“…we already have an understaffed, overworked police department,” – District 1 Councilwoman Torres-Walker in whose district all but one shooting occurred as her reason for opposing the double-time pay for Antioch officers.

Reverses tobacco retailer ordinance now allowing them to be sold or inherited

By Allen D. Payton

During their meeting on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, the Antioch City Council, with District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica absent due to illness, voted 4-0 to approve a Violence Reduction Initiative with a budget of up to $500,000 and offering up to $200 to cover the costs of police officers and equipment from outside agencies, but not to offer Antioch’s officers double time, for now. Then, to ensure “Opportunity Lives Here” in Antioch, again for tobacco retail owners, the council barely passed on a 3-0-1 vote revision to the ordinance adopted in 2017 banning the sale or transfer to heirs of their businesses in the city as of Jan. 1, 2023. It was also the first council meeting for new City Manager Bessie Mae Scott who started on Monday.

Approve up to $500,000 for Violence Reduction Initiative, Pay up to $200 per Hour but Only for Outside Agency Personnel

Following public comments that questioned the expenditure of the funds for the Violence Reduction Initiative proposed in response to the rash of 15 shootings in September, mostly in the Sycamore corridor, District 1 Councilwoman Torres-Walker, in whose district all but one of the shootings occurred, was the first member to weigh in on the issue. (See related article)

According to the city staff report, the proposal had three parts: “1) Authorizing the payment of double-time for Antioch Police Officer’s Association Members for working extra shifts in designated areas of the City to reduce violence as directed by the Chief of Police or his/her designee; 2) Authorizing the City Manager to enter into agreements, approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office, to pay regional municipalities $200 per hour to send officers to work shifts in designated areas to reduce violence; and 3) Allocating up to $500,000 to fund this violence reduction initiative.”

“The double time for officers is for them to come in on their days office…to incentivize them…is what the double-time authorization is for,” the councilwoman stated “I don’t necessarily support the double-time. But I do support the use of outside support. What this really is to increase police presence in communities that need it most.”

Torres-Walker then went on another of her diatribes about her views on policing and public safety saying, “Had we invested up front in prevention of violence we wouldn’t need to invest in police” and if you want accountability, you’re not anti-police. “You don’t have to pander to Back the Blue, very dangerous individuals. You don’t want to be attacked by people who are very pro-police,” taking a swipe at a local police support Facebook group.

Mayor Pro Tem Monica Wilson then asked Antioch Police Captain Joe Vigil about double time versus outside agencies.

“The idea of having a balanced approached of having a bit of both…to supplement our police staffing,” he responded. “The whole point of this was to incentivize the officers to come in on their day off.”

“So, we don’t even know if any agency is going to help,” Wilson stated.

“No. We do. We have one and we have two in the works,” Hernandez-Thorpe interjected.

Ogorchock asked, “There will still be forced overtime?”

“It’s built into the schedule,” Vigil stated.

“Should we offer this to our officers before offering it to outside agencies?” she asked.

“Correct,” he said.

“It’s up to $500,000, correct?”

“Correct,” he responded.

“It’s being allocated as it’s being used, correct?” the councilwoman continued.

“Correct,” Vigil stated.

“Our officers are already working toward overtime, correct?” Torres-Walker asked.

“Correct,” the Police Captain said.

“This will be managed…to make sure people aren’t too tired,” the District 1 Councilwoman stated. “We aren’t obligated to offer overtime. But we could use money to bring in outside support.”

“This doesn’t have to be offered to our officers, first. I heard you say that, but I don’t think that’s accurate,” the mayor stated.

“No. It’s not. I apologize for the confusion,” Vigil responded. “There would be a schedule put out and built.”

“The main focus of this is outside agencies,” Hernandez-Thorpe stated. “I know it’s both. But the primary purpose that the chief has been working on is outside agencies. Our officers are already working overtime.”

“Since we already have an understaffed, overworked police department then we wouldn’t be discussing number one, but only number two and three (of the proposal),” Torres-Walker pointed out.

“But this is for the areas we’ve been talking about. They are doing overtime,” the mayor said.

“Some people are not coming in on their day off,” Torres-Walker stated.

“That’s the point of the incentive,” Hernandez-Thorpe explained.

“That would make (section) one moot because they’re already working toward overtime from the direction of the police chief. They’re just not coming in on their days off,” the councilwoman reiterated.

“My goal has always been the outside agencies. That’s the chief’s goal. What I hear the captain saying is for officers to come in on their days off, is that correct?” the mayor asked.

“I don’t support the double-time, but I do support incentivizing outside agencies,” Torres-Walker repeated.

“They already do get the overtime. We’re authorizing double-time,” Vigil shared in response to a question by Hernandez-Thorpe.

“While we may get outside agencies it doesn’t mean we’ll get every single day outside agency support,” the mayor explained. “This is a temporary measure. It is not a forever thing and I think…we’re not just talking about Sycamore, we’re talking about 18th and Cavallo. So, we’re talking about other hot spots in the community, and we don’t want it to spill over.”

“Whatever direction ya’ll want to go in, I’ll support,” Torres-Walker then said. “It’s not additional people. It’s maybe two people, three people.”

“Yes. Two, four,” Vigil responded.

“It’s not in addition. We’re still understaffed,” the councilwoman reiterated. “So, we can temporarily deter violence, then we’re over policing in one neighborhood and under policing in another neighborhood. I will just be interested to see what the results will be.”

“So, if are they coming in with their vehicles are they using our vehicles?

“These are not full shifts, they’re partial shifts around certain days and times,” Vigil said. “We do not reimburse them for after they leave…just for when they’re here and their equipment.”

Ogorchock then moved approval of the funding of up to $500,000 to fund double-time for both Antioch and outside agency officers.

“I get the council’s concerns about the officers’ overtime. We can either vote on these individually or set a parameter around the use of overtime,” the mayor then offered.

“I think it would be easier to vote on them separately,” said City Attorney Thomas L. Smith.

Ogorchock then withdrew her motion. “I still have concerns about the unions and our officers and how it has to be offered to them, first. I have a hard time dealing with the rest of it.”

“It’s not an issue,” Hernandez-Thorpe said. “The outside agencies, I really need the council to support this.”

Wilson then made a new motion to only approve the double-time for officers from outside agencies up to $200 per hour and spending up to $500,000. Torres-Walker seconded the motion.

“So, the goal is, you, mayor is going to go talk to the chief?” Torres-Walker asked.

“The city manager,” the mayor stated.

She will go talk to the chief about the issue of overtime for Antioch’s officers, Torres-Walker explained.

The motion then passed 4-0.

Tobacco Retailer Ordinance Revision

After voting on August 8, 2017, to not allow owners of tobacco retail businesses in Antioch to sell or transfer them to their heirs, the Antioch City Council reversed course during their Tuesday meeting. With very few public comments on the matter and although Barbanica had pushed the issue and the council members proposed postponing the item until he could be in attendance, the council went ahead and barely passed the revisions to the ordinance on a vote of 3-0-1, with Wilson abstaining.

During discussion on the item, Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe said he was on the council in 2017 when the council voted for the original ordinance, as was Wilson and District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock. The ordinance passed at that time on a 3-0 vote with Hernandez-Thorpe and Wilson absent from the meeting. It prohibited new tobacco and paraphernalia retailers from opening in the city and those that were legally established prior to the adoption of the ordinance could not be sold or transferred after January 1, 2023. (See related article)

The mayor said the council voted for it because of the problems with youth buying tobacco products and crime at or near the business. But he said to a few of the business owners in the audience, “I’ve been to your business. It’s not a crime hub. But there are some that are in crime hubs.”

District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker said she was never in favor of preventing business owners from selling or passing them on to their heirs. Although Wilson said she thought her colleague made a good point about the business owners wanting to create generational wealth, she nevertheless would not support the revision to the ordinance.

K-9 Cato, Sheriff’s Office helicopter, residents assist

By Antioch Police Department

Saturday afternoon, Oct. 5, 2024, Antioch Police Officer Loroño was conducting proactive patrol in a location known for stolen vehicles. He spotted an occupied suspicious vehicle. As Officer Loroño prepared to make contact, the suspect exited the vehicle and began walking away. Officer Loroño quickly confirmed the vehicle was stolen and pursued the suspect on foot when he refused to comply and fled while manipulating a satchel across his chest.

After a brief chase through multiple yards, community members called in to report the suspect’s direction, allowing dispatch to establish an effective perimeter. The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Helicopter responded to assist, and Officer Loroño, who recognized the suspect from a previous encounter, continued coordinating the search.

A vigilant resident reported the suspect had discarded his satchel in a backyard. Officer Loroño recovered it, finding a loaded .45 caliber handgun inside. Meanwhile, Officer Marques and K-9 Cato joined the search. Cato successfully tracked the suspect to a front yard, where he was found hiding in a bush and surrendered to K-9 Cato.

Further investigation of the stolen vehicle uncovered additional .45 ammunition. The suspect, who was found to be on active probation, was safely apprehended and booked into county jail.

Outstanding teamwork and collaboration with our community made this arrest possible!

Plus, continuing crisis response team, expanding ShotSpotter coverage area, park improvements, more; new city manager’s first meeting in role

By Allen D. Payton

During new City Manager Bessie Mae Scott’s first meeting in her position on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, the second to last one before the election, the Antioch City Council will consider spending $500K for a Violence Reduction Initiative, voting to spend  $2.1 million to extend the crisis response team through next October, accept a $740,000 federal award to expand the City’s ShotSpotter coverage areas; continue the police officer recruiting incentive program and expand it to dispatchers; spending $1,577,200 for Marchetti Park Renovations and close to $337,000 for the new Jacobsen Park playground; discuss revisions to the overnight camping ordinance and adopting a community policing resolution.

Violence Reduction Initiative

According to the City staff report for the proposed Violence Reduction Initiative (item 10), following the 15 shootings in September that resulted in the deaths of two young Antioch men, the council is being asked to adopt a resolution “Authorizing the payment of double-time for Antioch Police Officer’s Association Members for working extra shifts in designated areas of the City to reduce violence as directed by the Chief of Police or his/her designee; 2) Authorizing the City Manager to enter into agreements, approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office, to pay regional municipalities $200 per hour to send officers to work shifts in designated areas to reduce violence; and 3) Allocating up to $500,000 to fund this violence reduction initiative.”

Police Officer & Dispatch Recruiting Incentive Program

The council will consider continuing the existing Police Officer Recruiting Incentive Program and introduce a $10,000 signing bonus for newly hired Police Dispatchers. (Item 1) They would be paid in two increments: $5,000 upon successful completion of the Dispatch Training Program and $5,000 upon successful completion of two (2) years of employment with the City of Antioch Police Department Dispatch Center. The council is also asked to authorize the necessary budget through June 30, 2025, of up to $350,000 to cover the program costs.

Community Policing Resolution Expands Definition, Scope

Under agenda item 3, at the request of District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker, the council will consider adopting a Community Policing resolution as the “Operant and Dominant Policing Philosophy of the City of Antioch.”

It would change and expand the traditional definition of community policing which is the system of allocating police officers to particular areas so that they become familiar with the local inhabitants. It also expands on the 2012 report by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services which defines community policing as “a philosophy that promotes organizational strategies that support the systematic use of partnerships and problem-solving techniques to proactively address the immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues such as crime, social disorder, and fear of crime.”

Instead, the Whereas clause at the end of Torres-Walker’s draft resolution includes the following proposed language:

“Community policing is a comprehensive philosophy that guides policy and strategy aimed at achieving more effective and efficient crime control, reduced fear of crime, improved quality of life, and improved police services and police legitimacy through a proactive reliance on community resources that seeks to change crime causing conditions. This assumes a need for greater accountability of police, elected community leaders, and the community in general, along with greater public share in decision-making through the identification of service needs and priorities and a greater concern for civil rights and liberties.”

Meeting Details

The Council meeting inside the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 H Street, begins with a Closed Session at 6:00 p.m. to discuss three legal matters including a lawsuit, a possible lawsuit and negotiations with Con Fire regarding property located at East 18th and Wilson Streets.

The regular meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. and can be viewed live on Comcast channel 24, AT&T U-verse channel 99, or live stream on the City’s website.

See the entire meeting agenda packet.

By Antioch Unified School District

On Saturday, Sep 28, 2024, the Antioch and Deer Valley high school bands attended the first competition of the season and marched away winners. Held in Turlock, the bands snapped up a few trophies at the Pitman Preview of Champions, the first event in the Northern California Band Association‘s fall lineup of band reviews.

AHS: 1st place parade band division 3A and 4th place overall street percussion.

DVHS: 1st place parade band division 1A, 2nd place overall street percussion, and senior James Kyle Imperio won 1st place overall mace Drum Major.

The bands are separated into divisions based on the number of students in the bands and they compete against similarly sized schools.

Delta Band Review The 35th Annual Delta Band Review on Saturday, Oct. 5th, Delta Band Review had a record number of participating schools with 26 entries competing.

In addition to the parade component, some also competed in concert and jazz competitions.

During this 35th event, Deer Valley cleaned up with first place parade band 1A, first place concert band division 2A, 2nd place overall drumline, and Drum Major Sweepstakes (James Kyle Imperio).

Antioch High kicked off the event but, as the host, was not eligible for awards.

Courtney Emery, AHS music director, thanked the many volunteers led by its band backers group and others.

Applause to all!

See more photos at www.facebook.com/ausd.k12.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Governor Newsom awards $130.7 million in Round 3 of program to help 18 California communities

Also creating a collaborative program between the state and targeted communities to streamline the cleanup of encampments

SACRAMENTO – Oct. 4, 2024 — Expanding the state’s unprecedented support for local communities to create new housing and address homelessness, Governor Newsom announced Friday, the state is awarding $130.7 million to 18 local governments to clear homeless encampments and provide shelter, care and support. The grants are from Round 3 of the Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF) awards from the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The Governor also announced new accountability measures, requiring award recipients to adhere to all state housing and homeless laws — as well as remain in compliance with their Housing Elements — or risk losing funding and face other enforcement actions.

The Round 3 funds awarded Friday will go to 12 cities, four counties and two Continuums of Care (CoCs) and are intended to resolve critical encampment concerns and address the housing and health and safety needs of 3,364 people living in encampments, and permanently house 1,565 people.

Of the total amount, the City of Antioch will receive $6,812,686, the City of Richmond was awarded $9,336,746 and the County of Contra Costa was granted $5,708,516. Of the 18 agencies, Contra Costa County scored the highest followed by Richmond.

“We’re supporting local communities’ efforts to get people out of encampments and connected with care and housing across the state. It’s important and urgent work that requires everyone to do their part. The state has committed more than $27 billion to help local governments tackle the homelessness crisis — and we want to see $27 billion worth of results,” said Governor Newsom.

$1 billion in funding to clear encampments

Governor Newsom has made unprecedented investments to address the housing and homelessness crises, with $40 billion invested to help communities create more housing and $27 billion provided to communities for homelessness. Today’s new grants are part of the state’s $1 billion Encampment Resolution Funds (ERF), which help communities address dangerous encampments and support people experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

So far, the program has invested $737 million for 109 projects or encampments across 21 counties, 41 cities and 5 CoCs to help 20,888 people throughout the state, helping 20,888 people transition out of homelessness.

“These grants will ensure local communities take a person-centered, trauma-informed approach as they help their most vulnerable residents transition to safe and stable housing,” said Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Secretary Tomiquia Moss. “The Encampment Resolution Fund grants are infusing critical resources in communities up and down California so that unhoused Californians can access the essential housing and supportive services they need to achieve long-term stability.”

Greater accountability 

As a condition of receiving the funding, the awardees must agree to increased accountability and compliance measures. These new accountability measures build on the current requirements that all grantees adhere to state and federal laws, rules, and regulations related to construction, health and safety, labor, fair employment practices, environmental protection, equal opportunity, fair housing, and all other matters applicable and/or related to the ERF program. 

The Governor’s new measures expressly require local governments to maintain a compliant housing element, as well as adhere to all planning, permitting, entitlement, fair housing, and homelessness laws.

Non-compliance with these measures may result in the state revoking and clawing back awarded funds in addition to potential enforcement actions by the state’s Housing Accountability Unit. This ensures that grant recipients remain accountable and protects state funding.

Care, compassion, collaboration 

Today’s announcement follows the Governor’s executive order urging local governments to adopt policies and plans consistent with the California Department of Transportation’s (CalTrans) existing encampment policy. 

Prioritizing encampments that pose a threat to the life, health, and safety of the community, Caltrans provides advance notice of clearance and works with local service providers to support those experiencing homelessness at the encampment, and stores personal property collected at the site for at least 60 days.

Since July 2021, California has cleared more than 12,000 encampments and has removed 267,611 cubic yards of debris from encampments along the state right of way in preparation for Clean California projects.

Delegated Maintenance Agreements

The Governor also announced today a new collaborative program that will help streamline the cleanup of encampments by establishing agreements between the state and targeted local communities. The agreements will remove jurisdictional boundaries and allow locals to address encampments on state property and receive reimbursement for their efforts. 

To help provide additional guidance and direction for local governments, the California Interagency Council on Homelessness has posted webinars and resources to help communities address encampments.   

Below are the other 10 cities, three counties and two Continuums of Care awarded Round 3 ERF grants:

• City of Berkeley – $5,395,637
• City of Carlsbad – $2,994,225
• City of Los Angeles – $11,351,281
• City of Palm Springs – $5,106,731
• City of Petaluma – $8,098,978
• City of Redlands — $5,341,800
• City of Sacramento — 18,199,661
• City of San Jose —- $4,821,083
• City of Victorville — $6,365,070
• City of Visalia —- $3,000,000
• County of Riverside — $12,612,779
• County of San Bernardino — $11,000,000
• City and County of San Francisco – $7,975,486
• Humboldt County — Continuum of Care – $3,784,294
• Pasadena –  Continuum of Care – $2,772,801

“Our team is energized by this opportunity to help bring people-centered, Housing First solutions to Californians who are unsheltered throughout the state,” said Gustavo Velasquez, Director of the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), which has administered ERF since the start of the 2024-25 fiscal year. “Combined with the investments in permanent supportive housing made possible by voter approval of Proposition 1, the state has unprecedented momentum to make monumental progress on a crisis of homelessness that has been growing for decades.”

The awards announced Friday utilize all remaining FY 2023-24 ERF funds. An additional appropriation of $150 million in the FY 2024-25 State Budget allowed HCD to award all eligible ERF Round 3, Window 2 applicants. The budget also included $100 million in ERF funds for FY 2025-26, bringing to $1 billion this investment to address encampments through proven housing solutions. 

Each agency was required to apply for the ERF program.

The grants will provide stable, safe housing for individuals living in encampments in their respective communities. The awarded proposals will assist individuals living in encampments with compassion and dignity by providing a range of housing solutions: permanent housing; interim housing for individuals seeking coordinated entry system resources or housing vouchers; housing navigation services and rapid rehousing subsidies; support for accessing permanent housing by providing security deposits and other moving expenses; and allowing awardees to acquire property for housing. 

Pablo Espinoza, Deputy Director of Communications, CA Department of HCD Media and Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Feature 50th Anniversary Tribute Halftime Show

Pittsburg, Calif. – Los Medanos College (LMC) presents a special livestream production on CCTV of the Mustangs’ homecoming game against De Anza College Lions, 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5 from the Pittsburg Campus, 2700 E. Leland Road.

The livestream includes a half-time show that debuts a special 50th Anniversary Tribute with historic images, musical score by the LMC Jazz Band, introduction by Contra Costa County Supervisor Ken Carlson, and commentary by former President Peter Garcia, President Pamela Ralston, author and art history professor Nick Nabas, and others.

“This tribute showcases the heart and soul of LMC that has endured from the first day we swung open the doors to students,” President Pamela Ralston said. “It captures the arc of our success through memories and stories of our alumni, dedicated faculty and staff, and students.”

The tribute video, produced in partnership with Fallout Pictures, rounds out the homecoming game production, which includes a high-energy opener produced by CCTV’s Ronn Carter. The opener highlights the city of Pittsburg and its storied success as an economic driver for the East Bay. Gametime coverage also features announcing and color commentary by local sports broadcasters Tony Schultz and Dan Wall (an LMC alumnus), and contributions by LMC Experience student journalists Finn Atkin, Juan Cebreiros, and Lauren Gannod.

The homecoming game is Part II of a day of festivities that begins at the 11 a.m. party, hosted by legendary DJ Chuy Gomez of 102 Jams FM. The party will be held on the Pittsburg Campus in grassy area adjacent to Mustang Stadium.

For more information about LMC 50th Anniversary activities, visit www.losmedanos.edu/50th.

About Los Medanos College (LMC): LMC is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District, serving the East Contra Costa County community. Established in 1974, LMC has earned federal designations as a Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving institution. It offers award-winning transfer and career-technical programs, support services, and diverse academic opportunities in an inclusive learning environment. With exceptional educators, innovative curriculum, growing degree and certificate offerings, and state-of-the-art facilities, the college prepares students to succeed in their educational pursuits, in the workforce, and beyond. LMC’s Pittsburg Campus is located on 120 acres bordering Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood.

One, a juvenile, seen on north side of Hwy 4

By Antioch Animal Services

Antioch Animal Services posted the following announcement on their Facebook page Thursday morning:

10/2/24 @ 2040hrs Antioch Police Department responded to the 200 block of William Reed Drive for reports of a prowler heard in the back yard of a residence.

APD officers put their aerial drone up and were able to determine that a juvenile mountain lion (approximately the same size as the neighbor’s adult Rottweiler) was the cause of the noise coming from behind the home.

We have been getting an increased number of reports over the last month and it appears there may be at least two mountain lions being seen more frequently in the following residential areas;

9/8/24 ~ midnight & early am. Two reports on Bluecurl Ct / Bluebell Circle, in open space. (Hillcrest Park area).

9/18/24 ~ early am. One report on Tabora Dr / James Donlon Blvd in resident’s backyard drinking from pond. (James Donlon / Contra Loma area).

9/28/24 ~ early am. Bluecurl Ct / Bluebell Circle, in open space (Hillcrest Park area)

10/2/24 ~ early am. Eagleridge Dr / Eagleridge Park lurking near turkeys. (Near Mokelumne Trail)

10/2/24 ~ evening. William Reed Dr / G St in resident’s backyard.

Mountain lion attacks are uncommon and close encounters are usually rare in our area, but it is not unheard of to have mountain lion sightings in the vicinity of trails, easements or the open spaces throughout our City.

Chickens, cats and other pets will attract a big cat to your yard. Water sources that attract wildlife also attract the big kitties.

Please be vigilant.

Bring your pets in at night. Remove food that attracts community cats and wildlife, ensure trash and fallen fruits, etc. are picked up and not attracting critters.

If you experience an attack by a mountain lion, please call 911.

Sightings can be reported to us at antiochanimalservices@gmail.com and/or CA Fish & Wildlife askbdr@wildlife.ca.gov.

GENERAL ELECTION – NOVEMBER 5, 2024

HJTA’s Quick Guide to the Statewide Propositions:

NO on 2, 4, 5, 6, 32, 33

YES on 34, 36

HJTA takes no position on 3, 35

Why the gap in the numbers?

Propositions 2 through 6 were placed on the ballot by the Legislature and given special numbering.

Propositions 32-36 are citizens’ initiatives that were given sequential numbering from prior elections, as usual.

Statewide Propositions

No on 2

Why we’re against it

Proposition 2 is $10 billion of bonds, new state debt, to pay for school facilities. It is almost certain to result in higher property tax bills, because school districts must provide a “local match” of funds in order to receive money from the Prop. 2 state bonds. That will lead to districts issuing new local school bonds, which are paid for by adding new charges to property tax bills. Enrollment is declining in both K-12 district schools and community colleges and the declines are projected to continue. But Proposition 2 commits California to pay an estimated $18 billion, including interest, for school buildings that may not even be necessary. VOTE NO ON PROPOSITION 2.

Proposition 3 – HJTA takes no position on this measure

Proposition 3 removes language from the state Constitution that defines marriage as between a man and woman. It adds the language, “right to marry is a fundamental right.” This measure has no effect on the current law, because the U.S. Supreme Court held that the federal Constitution protects the right to marry.

No on 4

Why we’re against it

This is the $10 billion “climate bond” that state politicians have long planned. California already has too much bond debt, over $78 billion outstanding as of January 1. Then $6.38 billion was added with Proposition 1 in March. Proposition 4 would add another $10 billion in bond debt to pay for climate “programs.” It’s reckless to use borrowed money, an estimated $18 billion with interest, to pay for “programs,” including salaries for all the groups that receive the money. Bond financing only makes sense for necessary projects that will last more than the 30 years it takes to repay the debt. The governor has already declared a budget emergency because the state spends more than it takes in. Spending even more “on the credit card” is a bad idea. VOTE NO ON PROPOSITION 4.

No on 5

Why we’re against it

Proposition 5 is ACA 1, a direct attack on Proposition 13. It makes it easier to raise taxes by eliminating the longstanding two-thirds vote of the electorate required to pass local bonds (borrowed money that must be repaid with interest). All new bond measures for “infrastructure” (nearly everything is “infrastructure”) and for public housing projects would pass with just 55% approval instead of the current 66.7%. Local bonds are paid for with extra charges on property tax bills, adding to the tax burden on homeowners and businesses, leading to higher rents for tenants and higher consumer prices for everyone. If Proposition 5 is not stopped, property tax bills are likely to go up after every election, forever. Proposition 5 will raise the cost of living in California, which already has the highest poverty rate in the country when the cost of living is taken into account. VOTE NO ON PROPOSITION 5.

No on 6

Why we’re against it

Proposition 6 bans mandatory work requirements for state prison inmates. It doesn’t seem fair to further increase the burden on taxpayers by creating the conditions to negotiate higher wages for inmates who are paying off their debt to society by serving their sentences in state prison. VOTE NO ON PROPOSITION 6.

No on 32

Why we’re against it

Proposition 32 would raise California’s hourly minimum wage from $16 to $18 and then adjust it annually for inflation. Unfortunately, raising the hourly minimum wage has sometimes reduced weekly wages as businesses cut hours and lay off workers. The best way to raise incomes in California is to stop driving job-creating businesses out of the state or into the ground. Raising the minimum wage is counter-productive. It also increases the state’s expenses by raising government labor costs. VOTE NO ON PROPOSITION 32.

No on 33

Why we’re against it

Proposition 33 is a rent control measure that would lead to a reduction in the supply of rental housing. It repeals a sensible 1995 law, the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, which put limits on rent control laws to ensure that housing providers could make a fair return on their investment and stay in business. Repealing Costa-Hawkins would mean cities could enact radical rent control, even on single-family homes and condos, and prevent property owners from resetting the rent to the market rate after a tenant voluntarily moves out. Proposition 33 would lead to a sharp reduction in new apartment construction as lenders evaluate financial risk due to potential rent control laws. That will worsen the housing shortage in California. Voters have already rejected this proposal twice before, in 2018 and 2020. VOTE NO ON PROPOSITION 33.

Yes on 34

Why we’re for it

Some nonprofit healthcare organizations that receive federal funds to provide health care services have abused the system to spend large amounts of money on political causes. Proposition 34 would end this practice and require that healthcare providers spend most of the money they receive from a federal prescription drug discount program on direct patient care. VOTE YES ON PROPOSITION 34.

Proposition 35 – HJTA takes no position on this measure

California currently taxes managed care organizations (MCOs) such as Anthem Blue Cross and others. The MCO tax is set to expire in 2026, and we expect the Legislature to make it permanent. Proposition 35 would also make it permanent but would require the revenue from the tax to fund Medi-Cal, the government health insurance program for low-income residents, instead of being used to close gaps in the state budget. About 14 million California residents rely on the Medi-Cal program for their health care needs.

Yes on 36

Why we’re for it

Proposition 36 is the “Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act,” backed by law enforcement groups and retailers. It makes thoughtful changes to Proposition 47 (2014), which reduced some theft and drug felonies to misdemeanors. Proposition 36 would get tougher on third offenses and also offer drug and mental health treatment as an alternative to incarceration. It would allow judges to sentence some individuals to state prison instead of county jail. The surge of retail theft, vehicle break-ins and open drug use on California’s streets has increased the burden on first responders, and on taxpayers, as well as raising insurance costs throughout the state. VOTE YES ON PROPOSITION 36.

About HJTA

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association is dedicated to the protection of Proposition 13 and the advancement of taxpayers’ rights, including the right to limited taxation, the right to vote on tax increases and the right of economical, equitable and efficient use of taxpayer dollars. For over 35 years, HJTA has been the legal and political watchdog for Proposition 13 and a staunch defender of California taxpayers. For more information and to join visit http://www.hjta.org.