Supervisor Charles McGlashan's ballot recommedations for November 4, 2008
FEDERAL
President and Vice President
Barack Obama and Joe Biden
United States Representative, 6th District
Lynn Woolsey
STATE
State Senator, 3rd District
Mark Leno
State Assembly, 6th District
Jared Huffman
MEASURES SUBMITTED TO VOTERS
STATE
Proposition 1A: High Speed Rail
Yes: Reduces green house gas from air travel between San Francisco and LA; good financial approach with private sector involvement
Prop 2: Humane Farming
Yes: A modest measure that stops cruel and inhumane treatment of farms animals by allowing veal calves, breeding pigs and egg laying hens (currently crammed into confinement so extreme they can barely move), to turn around, lie down and extend their limbs. Gandhi said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated…”
Prop 3: Children’s Hospital Fund
Yes -- Needed for children’s health.
Prop 4: Parental Notification for Abortion Services
No: This is the third time anti-choice advocates have tried this attempt to limit access to abortion services in California. While we all wish that communication in all families was strong and healthy, good family communication cannot be legislated. In this circumstance, teens need the privacy and dignity to make their own decision, in consultation with their medical advisors.
Prop 5: Sentencing for Non-Violent Drug Offences
Yes: Prisons are very expensive and over-crowding is a serious State problem. This is a chance to rehabilitate non-violent offenders. I’ve seen strong success in the Marin Drug Court Program, which is a model for this initiative.
Prop 6: Law Enforcement Funding
Yes: On gangs we need tough enforcement and interdiction; this is violent crime prevention.
Prop 7: Renewable Energy and RPS Standards
No: Bad for small solar and wind producers and a windfall for huge companies. Preempts local government actions in this arena.
Prop 8: Eliminates the Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry
No: Hard won rights for same-sex couples to marry should not be eliminated from our constitution.
Prop 9: Victims Rights
Yes: Allows victims more testimony and access rights in all aspects of court and post court criminal management proceedings.
Prop 10: Alternative Fuel Funding
No: Windfall for certain natural gas companies brought to you by the same people who decry government subsidies and regulation. There are better, less expensive ways to ramp up renewable energy and fuel production using entrepreneurship, markets, and Community Choice Aggregation (CCA).
Prop 11: Redistricting
No: This won’t help on the budget stalemate and is the wrong method.
Prop 12: Veterans Bonds
Yes: Low taxpayer risk and worth the cost to assist people who give this high service to the Country.
LOCAL
Measure Q: SMART - 70 Mile Bike Path and Commuter Train Service for Sonoma & Marin
Yes! Reduces green house gas emissions by as much as 20-30 thousand tons per year; reduces 1 to 2 million car trips each year on the 101 Corridor and in local streets. It's a relative bargain to build (1/8 the cost of roadways), and lighter on the Baylands. Solid financial plan.
Measure B: Consolidation of Financial Officers at Marin County
Yes: Saves money for Marin; reduces duplication of staffs; retains independent work on treasury and audit functions at the County; improves ability to hire experts in financial investment and accounting functions.
Mill Valley Measure A: School Taxes
Yes: Democracy only works with an educated populace. Schools need funding.
Please Vote now – November 4!!!
Best Wishes,
Charles McGlashan |
