Voters approve gaming, reject energy propositions

Wednesday, November 4, 1998

Voters approve gaming, reject energy propositions

RACE: Results prove trend continues as big spenders triumph

By Mason Stockstill

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

TV viewers across the nation are breathing a collective sigh of
relief today, as they realize that with the end of November
elections comes the end of nonstop political commercials ­ for
now.

Because there are no spending limits regarding statewide ballot
initiatives (propositions), various activist groups for or against
particular propositions were able to spend an unlimited amount of
money on advertising.

Therefore, since five propositions accounted for over 98 percent
of funds raised in this election, these five will be profiled
first.

At press time, 61 percent of precincts had reported their
results.

Proposition 5: Passed

Proposition 5 deals with granting certain rights to casinos
operating on tribal land. It was leading at press time, with 62
percent of the votes.

Under current law, tribes that operate casinos are required to
enter a compact with the state outlining what can and cannot be
done at the casinos. Many tribes had been operating without such a
compact.

Under pressure from Las Vegas casino interests, Gov. Pete Wilson
attempted to use the state law requiring such compacts to force
tribes into eliminating slot machine-type games used at many of
their casinos. No compact, the governor said, no slots.

"This proposition will standardize Indian gaming in California,"
said Jennifer Bazilius, a fourth-year anthropology student and a
member of the American Indian Student Association.

The passage of the proposition enables tribes to write their own
compact with the state and lets them keep the slot machine-type
games, which bring in most of the casinos" revenues.

Proposition 7: Failed

Proposition 7 is a tax credit incentive program designed to
coerce delinquent air polluters into meeting emissions standards
set by the state. The voters rejected this proposition, with 57
percent weighing in against it.

The proposition would have allowed for $218 million in tax
credits annually, through January 2011. This proposition would have
a substantial effect on the trucking industry, a major source of
air emissions in the state.

Proposition 8: Failed

The goal of this proposition appears to be wrestling control
from the state superintendent and giving it to parent-teacher
councils and a politically appointed chief inspector of schools.
The proposition garnered only 37 percent of the vote.

One of the more confusing measures on the ballot, Proposition 8
contained three provisions that already exist in one form or
another (class size reduction, teacher testing and suspension for
drug possession). Its passage would have created a new office
­ the chief inspector of schools ­ which would have an
unlimited salary, staff and budget, and would be appointed by the
governor.

Proposition 9: Failed

A vote for 9 is a vote to force the big three investor-owned
utility companies (Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas &
Electric and San Diego Gas & Electric) to pay off bonds floated
by the state to cover a rate reduction when utilities were
deregulated. The proposition failed, with 73 percent of voters
saying no.

Å’Å’A lot of myths were spread," said CalPIRG volunteer
and second-year student Lauren Cohn. "If people knew what was going
on, I don"t see why people wouldn"t have voted for it."

Over $40 million was spent by the big three utility companies to
defeat the proposition; its proponents spent $1.3 million.

Proposition 10: Undetermined

This 50-cent tax on every box of cigarettes would go to fund
early childhood development programs. Dubbed the "Meathead tax"
after campaign co-chair Rob Reiner"s character from "All in the
Family," Proposition 10 was too close to call at press time, with
49.5 percent in favor and 50.5 against.

The No on Proposition 10 campaign was financed in part with $14
million from Philip Morris Inc., since the proposition is aimed
directly at smokers.

€ € €

The remaining propositions, however, did not receive as much
money for their campaigns as their more famous cousins.

Proposition 1A: Passed

This $9.2 billion education bond measure passed with 62 percent
of the vote. This measure will allocate $2.5 billion for higher
education spending throughout public schools in the state.

Proposition 1: Passed

Now, property owners whose homes were damaged by toxic spills or
clean-up efforts can fix up their homes without having to undergo a
new tax assessment. 71 percent of voters approved of this
measure.

Proposition 2: Passed

Proposition 2 requires the state to pay back within one year
(three years in the case of an emergency) monies borrowed from the
transportation fund. Previously, the state could borrow from
transportation funds with no restrictions on when these "loans" had
to be paid back. 75 percent of voters approved the measure.

Proposition 3: Failed

Since this proposition has failed, with 55 percent of the votes
against it, partisan nominating procedures may go through some
difficulties this year. Because of a loophole in the proposition
that allows for open primaries, members of one party can now crash
nominating committees of opposing parties and potentially throw the
vote.

Proposition 4: Passed

The use of steel-jawed traps to catch wild animals is now
prohibited, much to the delight of animal activists throughout the
state, as well as the 57 percent of voters who approved this
measure.

Proposition 6: Passed

Voters gave Proposition 6 a thumbs-up, with a 59 percent "yes"
vote for the measure, banning the sale or exportation of horses for
human consumption.

Proposition 11: Passed

The measure allowing municipalities to share sales tax revenues
without a popular vote grabbed 53 percent of the vote.

For the most updated results, go to http://vote98.ss.ca.gov

Comments, feedback, problems?

© 1998 ASUCLA Communications Board[Home]