Staff Report: Recommendations on November 2024 Statewide Ballot Propositions

The following report was provided to the Board of Supervisors for the September 24, 2024 meeting.

Update from September 24 meeting: The Board of Supervisors voted to Support Proposition 35.

September 24, 2024
Marin County Board of Supervisors
3501 Civic Center Drive
San Rafael, CA  94903

SUBJECT:  November 5, 2024 Statewide Ballot Propositions

Dear Supervisors:

RECOMMENDATION: Receive informational report, provide direction to staff, and adopt Resolution in Support of Propositions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 32 on the November 5, 2024 statewide ballot.

BACKGROUND: In each statewide election, the Office of the County Executive (OCE) brings a report to your Board on the upcoming ballot propositions informed by the County’s adopted Legislative Platform. The OCE provides a recommendation of  ‘Support’, ‘Oppose’, or ‘Neutral’ and seeks Board direction for each measure. This provides an opportunity for your Board to articulate its priorities in statewide policy issues that affect Marin County residents. 

There are 10 propositions on the November 5, 2024 statewide ballot:

• Propositions 2-6 were put on the ballot by the Legislature.
• Propositions 32-36 were put on the ballot by the voter initiative process, meaning proponents of the measures gathered enough voter signatures statewide to qualify for the statewide ballot.

In order to qualify, proponents of an initiative must gather signatures equal to 5% of voters in the most recent Gubernatorial election (or 8% for a change to the state constitution). For the upcoming ballot, the 5% threshold for statute initiatives was 546,651 signatures. Since 2000, California voters have approved roughly half of the voter initiatives placed on statewide ballots. Based on your Board’s Legislative Platform, we are recommending the following positions:

*Update from September 24 meeting: The Board of Supervisors voted to Support Proposition 35.

Summary background information can be found in Attachment A, a Quick-Reference Guide prepared by the California Secretary of State. The full Official Voter Information Guide is available from the Secretary of State’s website at: https://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/.

SUMMARY: The attached Informational Report provides a comprehensive summary of each Proposition, including Marin-focused analysis by the Office of the County Executive. The following section provides a high-level summary.

Proposition 2 would to provide $10 billion in general obligation bonds to fund improvements in public schools and community colleges, supporting renovation, new construction, career technical education, and charter schools. The funds will provide larger state cost-shares to small and disadvantaged school districts. OCE is recommending a Support position, as it aligns with the County’s commitment to educational equity and supports facility improvements at local districts in Marin.

Proposition 3 proposes to amend the California Constitution to formally recognize the legal right of same-sex couples to marry, repealing the language from Proposition 8, which defined marriage as only between a man and a woman. This change would ensure that the state’s constitution aligns with existing law that permits same-sex marriage. OCE is recommending a Support position, as it aligns with the County’s values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Proposition 4 authorizes $10 billion in general obligation bonds to fund projects addressing climate change and environmental resilience. Projects include flood protection, wildfire prevention, coastal restoration, renewable energy development, and sustainable food systems. At least 40% of funds would be directed to disadvantaged communities vulnerable to climate change. OCE is recommending a Support position, as it aligns with your Board’s goals of environmental preservation, climate change adaptation, and targeted support to vulnerable communities. The County and other organizations in Marin could also benefit from Prop 4 funding.

Proposition 5 seeks to lower the voter approval threshold for local government bonds for public infrastructure and affordable housing from two-thirds to 55%, making it easier to pass measures that support critical projects like transportation, flood management, and affordable housing. This aligns with the threshold already in place for school bonds. OCE is recommending a Support position since it would provide local governments with a more viable financing tool to fund important infrastructure and housing initiatives.

Proposition 6 proposes amending the California Constitution to eliminate involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime. Currently, incarcerated individuals can be required to work in roles supporting prison operations or benefiting state programs. If passed, this measure would make prison labor voluntary and prevent discipline for those who refuse to work. OCE is recommending a Support position, as the measure aligns with racial equity and prison reform goals.

Proposition 32 would raise California’s minimum wage to $18/hour over two years, with future adjustments based on inflation. The proposition would not affect existing industry-specific state minimum wage laws. The measure would also have a direct impact on Marin’s 2,000 IHSS workers – providing for a larger wage increase in 2025 to $21/hour at no additional cost to the County. OCE is recommending a Support position as it aligns with the intent of our local Living Wage Ordinance and efforts to reduce racial disparities in earnings.

Proposition 33 seeks to repeal key provisions of the 1995 Costa-Hawkins Act, allowing local governments to expand rent control to all housing types, including single-family homes and new construction. It would also permit vacancy control. OCE is recommending a Neutral position, consistent with the positions your Board took on similar Proposition 10 (2016) and Proposition 21 (2020).

Proposition 34 would restrict how certain healthcare providers can spend revenue earned from federal drug discount programs, requiring them to spend 98% of revenue on direct patient care. It targets the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the only Health Care Provider that meets the proposition’s eligibility. The measure also permanently allows California to negotiate statewide drug prices for Medi-Cal. OCE is recommending a Neutral position, as your Board has weighed in on special interest-funded measures that do not align with the Legislative Platform.

Proposition 35 would make the MCO tax permanent, generating $7-8 billion annually to primarily fund rate increases for certain Medi-Cal providers. The measure provides for rate increase for some Medi-Cal healthcare providers, but excludes others. OCE is recommending a Neutral position, since the measure proposes selective provider rate increases, and limits the Legislature and Governor’s flexibility in addressing future budget scenarios.
Update from September 24 meeting: The Board of Supervisors voted to Support Proposition 35.

Proposition 36 would reverse parts of 2014’s Prop 47 by reclassifying certain theft and drug-related offenses (including those involving fentanyl) as felonies. It also introduces new sentencing for repeat offenses and drug-related deaths. While the measure addresses concerns about theft and the fentanyl crisis, it could increase incarceration rates and costs for local governments. OCE is recommending a Neutral position, as competing priorities in the Legislative Platform support both the issues Prop 36 seeks to address, but also aligns with concerns raised by opponents.

Pending Board direction regarding recommended positions on the 10 statewide propositions on the November 5, 2024 statewide ballot, staff will post your Board’s adopted resolution to the Legislative support and advocacy webpage to inform residents’ consideration of each measure. Vote by mail ballots will be mailed to registered voters beginning October 7, 2024. 

Sincerely,

Talia Smith, Director, Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs

Reviewed by

Dan Eilerman, Assistant County Executive

Attachment A: Informational Report on November 2024 Statewide Ballot Propositions
Attachment B: Resolution in Support of Propositions 2,3,4,5,6 and 32
Attachment C: Quick-Reference Guide, California Secretary of State