As mail-in ballots have now arrived at voters’ homes, I felt it was important to voice why I strongly support Fernando Sandoval for re-election as Board Trustee for the Contra Costa Community College District, Ward 5.

His area of the district includes the communities of Pittsburg, Antioch, Bay Point, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Byron, Clyde and Clayton and Brentwood where I lived for 43 years. I am also a professor of World Languages at Los Medanos College where I have been teaching for nearly 40 years which is the primary campus in Trustee Sandoval’s district along with the Brentwood campus. I personally know the challenges students face in striving to reach their educational goals, as well as the opportunities an education provides in advancing their futures. 

I first met Fernando Sandoval in 2016 in the East County community. I was impressed with his commitment to cultural awareness, student success, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds. I also appreciated his understanding of how the college campus, students’ families and the community at large need to work together to ensure that students achieve their goals.

In past years, the district has dealt with budgetary challenges, faculty contract disputes, district leadership turnover and the decrease in student enrollment numbers, to name a few. When Trustee Sandoval was elected in 2020, he brought a high level of visionary leadership, positive collaboration, commitment, integrity and a strong work ethic needed to help guide the District in a proactive pathway.

Fernando also brought over 25 years of professional expertise in the banking, finance and technology industries to cooperatively address the budget deficit issues facing the District, including with members of the Board of Trustees. Through most of his four-year tenure, his financial knowledge and leadership have been extremely valuable in helping to guide budgetary and policy decisions, particularly during the unprecedented impact of Covid-19.

Trustee Sandoval has been open to listening to faculty leadership and classified staff in understanding our key priorities so a supportive learning environment can be created for students. But just as importantly, he has been accessible to students to listen to their concerns and suggestions for improving issues and engaging students in the Board’s policy-making process.  I have met many civic leaders and community residents who have said how refreshing it is to have a college board leader who is so visible and engaged in meeting and listening to their thoughts at neighborhood meetings and community events.

His commitment to ensuring the college district and the community is reflective in his solution- based decision-making and is why he was honored for his public service with the 2020 Cesar Chavez Award for Exemplary Community Service presented by Los Medanos College.

Trustee Fernando Sandoval “walks his talk!” He is totally committed to a “student for success” approach! These past four years he has shown to be a leader we can respect and count on!  He brings strong leadership with an innovative vision for solutions for the students and residents of Contra Costa County.

I encourage my fellow voters to re-elect Fernando Sandoval as Board Trustee of the Contra Costa Community College District on November 5th!

Dr. Laurie Huffman Leyva

Faculty, Los Medanos College

Resident, Brentwood

Over $30K raised so far

By Allen D. Payton

With one month remaining in the battle for the bucks for the Antioch City Council District 3 race on the November ballot, as of Tuesday, October 15, 2024, Don Freitas has raised significantly more than his two opponents combined. The former mayor and councilman has raised $30,184.68 compared to $11,190.09 raised by second-time council candidate Antwon Webster and $10,209.83 by newcomer Addison Peterson.

Freitas’ Finances

During the reporting period, Freitas’ fundraising resulted in $22,172 plus, an additional $2,000 received since Sept. 21st using a required Form 497, for a total of $30,184.68 received during the campaign, including $1,012.68 in Nonmonetary Contributions.

Freitas’ largest contributions were $5,000 from SR Ventures LLC in Brentwood, owned by businessman and Antioch commercial property owner Sean McCauley, $2,500 each from Republic Services, Antioch’s garbage company, and GBN Partners, LLC of Danville, developers of the approved Promenade new home projects in the Sand Creek Area, $2,000 each from I.B.E.W. 302 Community Candidates PAC in Martinez and Michael Hurd of Antioch, listed as Principal, Commercial Real Estate Consulting, $1,100 from Linda Terranova of Antioch, listed as retired, $1,000 each from Melody Weintraub of Lafayette, listed as retired and Guy Bjerke of Concord, the City of Concord Director of Economic Development, a peculiar $900 contribution amount from County Assessor Gus Kramer of Martinez (who was obviously too cheap to make it a grand), $500 each from County Fair Board Member Richard Hobin of Antioch, attorney with Hobin & Hobin LLP also in Antioch, Arnold Linscheid of Danville, the CEO of the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce, Earlene Lanter of Antioch, listed as retired and Martin Fernandez of Antioch, also retired. Freitas also received $250 from City Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock’s 2022 re-election campaign committee and $150 from the councilwoman.

Freitas spent $10,899.10 for the period for a total of $13,016.30 spent through Sept. 21st. His campaign’s largest expenditure was for $5,057.30 to The Tucker Group of Antioch for consulting, $1,500 to Carla Marymee of Antioch for website design, $900 to Political Data Intelligence of Long Beach for campaign software, $859 to Election Digest of Torrance for a Voter Guide slate mailer to Democrats and $549 to the City of Antioch for filing fees.

The former mayor and councilman had an Ending Cash Balance of $15,168.38, plus, the $2,000 received after the filing period for a total of $17,168.38 remaining to be spent on his campaign. See Freitas’ Form 460 0701-092124 and Form 497 092824.

Webster’s Wealth Works

In a distant second place in fundraising, Webster’s report shows he raised $7,779.09 during the period for a total of $12,690.09 for the campaign. Those amounts include loans from himself of $5,441.26 for the period and $8,792.26 total for the campaign.

His largest contributions were $2,500 from Quincy and Mitchell Hardin of Antioch, owners of Hi-Lite Janitorial, and the most unique contribution of the campaign, $465.83 from Nigerian American Public Affairs in Los Angeles.

Webster spent $5,352.27 during the period for a total of $8,752.07 for the campaign. His largest expenditures include $1,750 to The Wright Social Spot of Antioch for a comedy fundraising event, $1,250 to Precision Politics of Marina Del Rey, CA for literature, $758.65 to Vista Print of Waltham, MA for literature and $500.98 to Young’s Consulting LLC of Antioch for campaign consulting.

Webster had an Ending Cash Balance of $3,441.02 left to spend on his campaign. See Webster’s Form 460 0701-092124

Peterson’s Proceeds & Payments

Peterson’s finance reports show he’s received $5,765.32 during the period including another $1,500 in a nonmonetary contribution from his wife for campaign website design, for a total of $6,209.83 for the campaign. But his Form 460 shows he forgave $454.58 in loans from himself, reducing the total received for the period to a net $5,310.74. Also, the Calendar Year to Date column is missing the previous $1,500 nonmonetary contribution from his wife for campaign website design received in the previous reporting period ending on June 30th. So, the total amount received for the campaign should be $7,709.83, plus $2,500 after Sept. 21st for a total of $10,209.83 received for the campaign.

He was his campaign’s largest contributor with a total of $2,974.58 in contributions and loans for the period including the forgiven loan amount. Peterson received the $2,500 from Sander Straus of Lafayette, listed as retired, but according to InfluenceWatch.org, he is a “mathematician and financial investment consultant who is a major donor to Democratic Party candidates and…a major contributor to progressive-left immigration, social policy, and environmental organizations.”

Peterson spent $4,879.27 during the period of which $3,379.27 was in the form of cash payments for a total of $5,351.48 or $6,851.48 when including the additional $1,500 for website design. His largest expenditures were $813.27 to Signs on the Cheap in Austin, TX, $549 to the City of Antioch for filing fees and $541 to the Antioch Recreation Department for room rental for an event.

While most of the missing information in Peterson’s first Form 460 campaign finance report for the first six months of the year appeared on his latest report, his totals are off by $60. On Aug. 30th Peterson responded to questions about the report for the period of Jan. 1 through June 30, 2024, with, “I am reaching out to the Antioch City Clerk’s office to fix the issues with my 460 shortly.” However, as of Oct. 15th, he had not yet submitted an Amended 460 Report.

Peterson had an Ending Cash Balance of $858.35 for the period. Adding the $2,500 received after Sept. 21st, it left his campaign with $3,358.35 remaining to be spent. See Peterson’s Form 460 0701-092124 and Form 497 100124

Next Reports Due Oct. 24th

According to the California Secretary of State, the next reporting period ends on Oct. 19th and the candidates’ campaign committees must submit another Form 460 by Oct. 24th. All the campaign finance reports for mayor and city council candidates can be found on the City of Antioch Public Portal for Campaign Finance Disclosure.

The election is November 5th.

My Promise to You

I love America.  I believe that if we do not change this course that we are on, we could very well lose her and all that we hold dear.  We have each been given a legacy, an inheritance, and aside from that gift of America, our most precious treasure is our children and grandchildren.  Our inheritance to our children should not be a concern for a monetary enrichment, but one for a gift called FREEDOM.  We are in a battle for that Freedom.   As a mother of four and a grandmother of five, they are worth fighting for.  So, I stand before you today.

This is our chance Fellow Americans to restore what has been taken from us. Come rise and join with me as a Stateswoman, not a politician.  I stand outside of the establishment, but I stand inside the very heart of all our issues and I will stand for you. My voice will be one of TRUTH and FREEDOM and I will strongly support closed borders, our police, veterans, farmers.

I will fight for traditional education and our personal, financial, national and border security.

I will vote for laws that protect our children from groomers, predators and biological males in girls’ sports. We will covet their precious minds and innocence.  Our taxpayer money belongs solely to us and not to any foreign countries.

My “Yes” will be “Yes” and my “No” will be an unwavering “No”. I pledge to Putting the People First.

God Bless America.

Katherine Piccinini

Congress District 10

With almost $156K for the former city manager, a little over $139K for the incumbent and $8,500 for the other challenger

By Allen D. Payton

There are several battles in a political campaign war: ground – door-to-door precinct walking, air – including direct mail and TV, endorsements, signs, advertising and fundraising. The most recent campaign finance reports in the race for Mayor of Antioch show former city manager Ron Bernal has slightly increased his lead over Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe, while the other challenger, Rakesh Christian, is trailing in a distant third in the battle for the bucks.

Known as a Form 460, the report shows for the period of July 1 through Sept. 21 plus, a Form 497 report showing $1,000 contributed since then, the challenger had raised another $28,322 for a total of $155,967.34 for the year. The incumbent raised $22,375 for the period and an additional $3,000 since then for a total of $81,169. However, that amount does not include the $58,171.60 left over from his Stop the #Karen Recall committee that Hernandez-Thorpe transferred to his re-election committee. That has given the mayor a total of $139,340.60 to spend during the campaign.

The Form 460 report for the third candidate in the race, challenger and second-time candidate for mayor, Rakesh Christian, shows he’s loaned his committee $8,543.17 and spent it all during the period.

Bernal

The 460 report for the period shows Bernal’s largest contributions were $5,500 each from Dave and Thea Shupe, of Oakley, owners of Drill Tech Drilling & Shoring, Inc. in Antioch, $3,500 from rancher and farer Robert McGrew of Dixon, $2,000 from Michael Hurd of Antioch, self-employed in commercial real estate consulting and the former track and field coach at Antioch High School for whom the track is named, $1,000 from Antioch State Farm Insurance Agent James Lanter, $500 each from Pruthviraj Desai of Antioch, owner and manager of Antioch Executive Inn, the location of the City’s homeless hotel, Duane Shoemake of Antioch, listed as retired, Joe Stokley of Pleasant Hill, Broker of Stokley Properties, and $250 from Lori Ogorchock’s 2022 city council campaign committee and an additional $150 from the councilwoman.

His Form 497 filed on Sept. 29th shows two $500 contributions from Steven Abfalter of Antioch, listed as retired.

Bernal’s campaign committee spent almost all of the $47,228.72 during the period outside of Antioch and East County. The largest expenditures included $27,461.65 to Praetorian Public Relations of Walnut Creek for campaign consulting, $11,500 to J Wallin Opinion Research of Newport Beach for polling, $3,000 to Corey Agopian for social media content creation, $1,449 to the City of Antioch for candidate filing, $1,281 to the California Homeowners Voter Guide for a slate mailer and $981 to No Party Preference Voter Guide in Sacramento for another slate mailer.

Of the funds paid to Praetorian they in turn paid $8,756.36 to Imprint of Houston, TX for campaign paraphernalia, $3,705.43 to Landslide Communications in Laguna Niguel for literature, $3,006.80 to Prompt.io of Seattle, WA for phone banking, $2,298.76 to SignsOnTheCheap.com in Austin, TX and $774 to the COPS Voter Guide in Sacramento for a slate mailer.

Bernal’s committee began the period with a Beginning Cash Balance of $87,797.97, and as of Sept. 21st, had spent a total of $87,076.09 leaving him an Ending Cash Balance of $68,241.10 for the remainder of the campaign. See Bernal Form 460 0701-092124, Form 497 092924

Hernandez-Thorpe

The mayor’s largest contributions for the period were $5,000 each from Prestige One Investment, LLC of Brentwood, a company owned by businessman and Antioch commercial real estate owner Sean McCauley and Gary’s Liquor and Cigarettes for Less of Antioch,  $1,000 each from Doralee Montague of Lawrenceville, Georgia listed as Director, Cox Communications, Robert Collins of Antioch listed as retired, Teresa Moye of Atlanta, GA, Partner of Moye Properties, $500 each from DASS Sweets, Inc. of Antioch, form Contra Costa College Board Trustee Gregory Enholm of Bay Point listed as retired, Mary Simms of Antioch, owner of Simms Enterprises, Victor Baker of Pleasant Hill, CEO of EquitiFy, Pruthviraj Desai of Antioch, listed as a hotelier, owner of the Executive Inn on E. 18th Street and Taylor Drivon of Stockton, listed as a homemaker,

Plus, an additional $3,000 was received on Oct. 3 from Maria Quinto Collins of Antioch, the mother of the late Angelo Quinto for whom the City’s Crisis Response Team is named and listed as the Founder for the Angelo Quinto Foundation. Her husband is Robert Collins listed above. Thorpe voted to settle their family’s lawsuit against the City and police department for $7.5 million.

Unlike Bernal’s campaign, the Hernandez-Thorpe re-election campaign spent a large amount of his $66,481.49 in expenditures locally in Antioch and East County. The largest expenditures for the period include $19,244.59 paid to Belleci Signs of Pittsburg for literature and lawn signs, $11,393 for five slate mailers paid to a company in Torrance, $10,627.64 to Copyworld of Berkeley for literature, $2,898 to the City of Antioch for candidate filing fees, $2,689.63 to La Plazuela in Antioch for a fundraiser, $2,500 to Chef Clarinne LeGrone of Antioch for catering and event space for the Mayor’s Democratic Unity Rally, $2,155 to LowKii Photography of Antioch, $792 to FastSigns of Antioch for 4’x8’ signs, $750 to Vicki Robinson of Antioch the campaign’s treasurer, $729.34 to Facebook for online advertising, $566.30 to Cheapestees of Burlingame and $549.60 to Political Data, Inc. of Norwalk for literature.

The mayor’s campaign committee started the period with a Beginning Cash Balance of $99,204.31 and as of Sept. 21st had spent $81,742.78 and had an Ending Cash Balance of $54,597.82. Add the $3,000 from Mrs. Quinto Collins and Hernandez-Thorpe had $58,597.82 to spend for the remainder of the campaign.

There were no financial mistakes that could be seen in his latest report. See Hernandez-Thorpe Form 460 0701-092124, Form 497 100424

Christian

Of the funds Christian loaned to and were spent by his campaign, the largest expenditures were $4,713.58 to Sign-A-Rama of Antioch, $1,954.59 to the City of Antioch for the candidate filing fee and $1,500 to Kingdom Graphix of Antioch for website design. He had no Ending Cash Balance. See Christian Form 460 0701-092124

According to the California Secretary of State, the next reporting period ends on Oct. 19th and the candidates’ campaign committees must submit another Form 460 by Oct. 24th.

The election is November 5th.

In Wednesday TV news interview about new Violence Reduction Initiative; Bernal says, “No” he didn’t know about police scandals

Although scandals occurred while he’s been on the council since 2016 and mayor since 2020 Hernandez-Thorpe won’t accept any responsibility

By Allen D. Payton

Antioch Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe who is seeking re-election to a second term in the position, and third term on the council, lashed out at his opponent, former city manager Ron Bernal on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, during a Bay Area TV news interview. He posted a video of the interview on his official Facebook page.

The KTVU interview was about the Violence Reduction Initiative approved the by city council the previous night providing up to $500,000 for help from outside agencies at a cost of up to $200 per hour for their officers and equipment. The plan is to supplement the effort of the Antioch Police Department specifically focusing on the City’s highest-crime areas of Sycamore and Cavallo Roads following a rash of 15 shootings in September, most of which occurred in those parts of town and results in the deaths of two young men.

During the interview the mayor blasted Bernal claiming he was responsible for the current crime which he blamed on the lack of officers due to the two scandals involving officers from both the Antioch and Pittsburg Police Departments that were investigated by both the Contra Costa DA’s Office and FBI. Hernandez-Thorpe said, “The former city manager left us with this mess.”

The scandals started with the selling of steroids and one officer taking tests so other officers could pass college courses to obtain greater pay and the initial investigation uncovered racist and offensive texts being sent by six officers but received by many more. The investigations resulted in 35 Antioch officers being placed on leave and ultimately, 10 officers being terminated. (See related articles here, here and here)

The texting occurred in 2019, 2020 and 2021 while Hernandez-Thorpe was on the city council having been elected in 2016 and during his first year as mayor, and when Bernal was city manager, having been first hired interim city manager then promoted to the permanent position both in March 2017. The mayor called for the firing of all the officers investigated for the text scandal in May 2023 and again the following month. 

The KTVU reporter challenged the mayor asking him if he was elected in 2020, but she failed to ask him how long he’s served on the council. Hernandez-Thorpe’s first term as a council member began in December 2016 and included the time period of both police scandals.

The police chief at that time, Tammany Brooks, who was hired in May 2017, said he was unaware of the texts that were shared among officers’ personal cell phones, not their department-issued phones. In October 2021, Brooks retired from Antioch and took a new position with the Boise Police Department. Bernal retired at the end of December 2021.

It wasn’t always chilly between the mayor and Bernal. Following Bernal’s announcement of his retirement, Hernandez-Thorpe heaped praise upon him saying, “Ron is an impeccable human being, filled with compassion, understanding, and love. This has been demonstrated time after time in his relentless support and desire to house our unhoused neighbors, provide Antioch youth with new paths filled with opportunity, and much, much more.  Ron has been a friend, confidant, and advisor.  While Ron will be missed in his capacity as city manager, he and his wife will continue to be Antioch residents and neighbors to many of us.” (See related articles here and here)

This is the second time Hernandez-Thorpe has accused Bernal of something that occurred while both were serving in their respective positions. Earlier this year the mayor accused the former city manager of approving the decommissioning of the Antioch Amtrak station, which was later proven false. Bernal, with Hernandez-Thorpe’s knowledge, only approved the demolition of the building at the station. (See related article)

Questions for Hernandez-Thorpe Go Unanswered

Questions were sent Thursday morning to the mayor asking the following:

“If you’re going to blame the former city manager, who was hired in March 2017, shouldn’t you also accept at least part of the blame since you were one of his bosses and were on the council at the time?

Did you know about the texts being sent among the officers? 

Since Chief Brooks was hired in May 2017 in your first year on the council and who said he was unaware of the texts as they were sent using the officers’ personal cell phones and that’s not something the department has oversight of, how could you expect the city manager to know of the texts? How could you or any of the council members be aware of them, either?

Since you twice called for the firing of all 35 officers on paid leave during the two investigations, most of whom only received the texts but didn’t send any, which if that had happened would have further depleted the number on the Antioch force by another 25 sworn officers, shouldn’t you take responsibility for contributing to the atmosphere that’s kept officers from wanting to come to work for our city?

As the mayor and one of five council members, do you accept any responsibility for the current crime problems, specifically the recent rash of 16 shootings in Antioch and lack of police officers on the force?

Do you think it’s appropriate to be campaigning during a TV interview about a new City effort to address the current increase in shootings in Antioch’s highest crime areas instead of focusing on the solutions?”

The mayor was also asked to share anything else about the matter.

But multiple attempts to reach Hernandez-Thorpe and his campaign consultant were unsuccessful prior to publication time.

Bernal Says He Didn’t Know About the Police Scandals

In addition, Bernal was also asked questions about Hernandez-Thorpe’s accusations. He was asked:

“Did you know anything about the racist and offensive police texts while you were city manager?

Did you know anything about the use of steroids by some officers?

Were you aware of any reports from within the department that some officers were paying another officer to take tests for them to pass college courses in order to increase their pay?”

Bernal was also asked if he had any other comments about the matter.

Although his campaign consultant, Matt Shupe, responded, “Were not going to engage on any of these Lamar issues/topics/stories” and shared Bernal had also been interviewed by KTVU on Thursday, the candidate later responded simply with, “No, no and no. I have no further comment.”

The election is November 5th and whichever of the three running for mayor, including second-time candidate Rakesh Christian, is victorious will serve for a four-year term.

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Over $65,000 for research, polling, website and mailer saying Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe is “Unfit for Leadership”

By Allen D. Payton

A direct-mail hit piece arrived in Antioch residents’ mailboxes on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, against Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe saying he’s “Unfit for Leadership” and “Not Right for Antioch”. It was paid for by the California Real Estate Independent Expenditure Committee – California Association of REALTORS with the National Association of REALTORS® and California Association of REALTORS® as the “Committee’s Top Funders”.

According to the campaign finance report known as a Form 496, available through the Antioch City Clerk’s website, as of Oct. 8, 2024, the opposition campaign had spent $65,328.50 to defeat the incumbent, of which $40,000.00 paid for the mailer and a website, $17,312.50 for polling and $8,016.00 for research. (See CA Realtors Form 496)

Before independent expenditure committees spend money to support or oppose a candidate or ballot measure, they will pay for research and then a conduct a poll or survey of likely voters to determine the level of support or opposition, and what issues they should highlight in a campaign to achieve their goals.

The mailer highlights the mayor’s $350,000 sexual harassment claims settlement by the County in September 2022 and shows newspaper headlines and quotes from articles and editorials of his “intolerable misogynistic behavior” and include comments that, “He must resign” and “For the sake of the city, Thorpe should step aside.”

The mailer provides a website address of www.unfitforleadership.com which offers more details about Hernandez-Thorpe’s controversial behavior during his term as mayor with sub-headers of Sexual Harassment, Illegal Meetings, Selling His Office and Drunk Driving. The website shares information about the mayor’s political affairs consulting business, El Sereno Strategic Group, which, according to Bizpedia he formed on January 24, 2022. The company’s website includes a photo of Hernandez-Thorpe sitting in the Mayor’s Office at Antioch City Hall signing a City of Antioch certificate for someone and other photos from his official duties, including from some of his many press conferences.

One premise of the opposition campaign website is that the mayor is “Trading On His Political Relationships… ‘cultivated’ while an elected official in Antioch should be used to benefit the Citizens of Antioch, not reserved for paying clients.”

Questions for Hernandez-Thorpe Go Unanswered

Hernandez-Thorpe was asked if he’d seen the mailer and website and had any comments about them. He was also asked about his business website and why he’s using photos from his official duties, specifically from inside the Mayor’s Office at City Hall to promote his company. Hernandez-Thorpe was also asked if he thinks it’s appropriate and doesn’t it create the appearance that the mayor is mixing his elected duties with his business activities. Most importantly, the mayor was asked if he does any business with any client who has had dealings with the City of Antioch and/or has been before the city council for a vote.

Multiple efforts to reach the mayor and his campaign consultant were unsuccessful prior to publication time on Wednesday, October 9, 2024. Please check back later for any updates to this report.

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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.