Prop 14- YES. Funding future cures is precisely the sort of thing bonds are appropriate for, by spreading the cost between present and future, as the benefit is heavily future-weighted.
Prop 15- YES. Commercial properties should not be able to remain effectively indefinitely at the same assessed value through tricks of transfer. Regular reassessment will help fund community needs and schools, the same as any other property tax revenue. Entities (like your average small business) that own commercial property less than $3 million in value won’t be affected.
Prop 16- YES. In the interest of equity, the state should be able to conduct affirmative action to aid those that were discriminated against.
Prop 17- YES. We want to reintegrate people on parole into society, and voting is one of the most fundamental ways to do that.
Prop 18- YES. I don’t see any good reason that someone shouldn’t be able to vote in a primary election for a general election that they would be 18 for.
Prop 19- YES. This future-shifts property tax gains to communities, by increasing present exemptions (allowing for more transfers of property without reassessment within someone’s lifetime) and reducing future ones (by reassessing properties on death, except when the heir takes residence or the property’s value is less than $1 million). Far too often we’ve gone for present benefits and future costs- this is the other way around, and should be supported for that alone.
Prop 20- NO. We shouldn’t require DNA collection for any misdemeanors.
Prop 21- YES. Local governments should have the power to set rent controls relevant for their conditions. This doesn’t require anyone to create rent controls- it merely makes the option available.
Prop 22- NO. No paying for exemptions from the law. An industrial sector buying an initiative to buy exemption from a general law for that sector alone is an abomination.
Prop 23- YES. Most of the time a doctor won’t be needed- but when one is, time will be critical. Also, prevents mass closures to get around intent of law.
Prop 24- NO. I’m nowhere near confident enough in any improvements this initiative makes to support a 7/8th majority requirement in the legislature to change it. That’s absurdly high.
Prop 25- YES. The algorithms are imperfect- but better than cash bail.
Proposition X- YES. The overwhelming majority of Contra Costa County’s tax revenue is from property tax, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in the property market. Increasing the county’s sales tax will mitigate that vulnerability.
Rafael's thoughts 