There are two initiatives you need to keep your eye on and spread the word regarding how to vote.
The first is Prop. 50, which is on the ballot this November as a result of the governor and legislature calling for a special election. This initiative is nothing more than a political ploy by the governor to keep his face in the national headlines.
As you are probably aware, Texas went through a redistricting process that will most likely lead to a Republican pick-up of four to five seats in the mid-term elections in November of 2026. To counter what Texas did, Governor Newsom seized the moment to say if Texas wants to play politics, then he would do the same thing in California. That led to the gerrymandering of new districts that ‘might’ give Democrats four new seats; “might’ because these districts are not slam dunks for Democrats, unlike the Texas seats are for Republicans.
But you might say what is good for the goose is good for the gander. That’s not the case here.
There is a huge difference.
In Texas, the state constitution requires the state legislature and the Governor to draw new legislative districts whenever demographic shifts and population increases require them to do so. Under the state law, the legislature and the governor were under a Court Order to redraw the districts.
In California, the state constitution requires legislative districts to be redrawn every 10 years, after the census, by an Independent Redistricting Commission created by a voter-approved initiative that passed with overwhelming support. The same law specifically prohibits any member of that commission who participates in the drawing of legislative districts from running for office for 10 years in any of the districts they propose.
In Texas, they had a court order to draw the new districts. In California, the Governor and state legislature violated state law in drawing the districts. Indeed, for those very same reasons, if Prop. 50 passes it will be off to court to legally challenge the redistricting for violating state law and the state constitution. There are some legal scholars who even opine that the state legislators who voted for the redistricting plan should be prohibited from running for office for 10 years, having essentially replaced the Independent Redistricting Commission commissioners in drawing new legislative districts.
So spread the word to your friends and family members to Vote NO on Prop. 50. And if you want to volunteer to oppose Prop. 50 or want a “No on 50” yard sign for your home or business, in Northern SB County, please call Sari Dominguez, who is also a candidate for Assembly. Sari’s number is (805) 714-7936. In Southern SB County, call Barbara Anne. Barbara’s number is (805) 895-5545.
Preserve and Protect Proposition 13
The other initiative that you should be watching and, in this case, supporting, is the Local Taxpayer Protection Act (LTPA). The LTPA is being sponsored and promoted by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. The LPPA will help Save Proposition 13 as the state legislature is trying to undo the protections it currently provides if you own your own home or business. The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association is currently gathering signatures to qualify this initiative for the mid-term election in November 2026.
Please help gather signatures. You can click on the link below. This will allow you to download a simple form that makes it easy for you and your spouse or significant other to sign and mail in your signatures. You can print off as many as you want to give to friends and neighbors or to take to work.
Download the forms and mail in your signatures today.
Californians already pay more in taxes than anyone else in any other state in the country. The only protection we taxpayers have is from Proposition 13, which was passed in 1978. Protect Proposition 13 and help the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association qualify the Local Taxpayer Protection Act by helping gather the necessary signatures.
By spreading the word to Vote NO on 50 and signing the petitions to qualify the Local Taxpayer Protection Act, you can make a huge difference regarding these two very important initiatives.
Take action today!
Mike Stoker currently serves as President & CEO of the Santa Barbara County Taxpayer Advocacy Center. Stoker is a land use, environmental, and business law attorney. He has previously served on the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, was Chairman of the CA Agricultural Labor Relations Board, Majority Counsel to Congress, CA Deputy Secretary of State and served as the Southwest Administrator of the US EPA overseeing a population of 75 million people. Mike also serves as a National Advisor for the national law firm of Manatt, Phelps & Philips advising clients regarding environmental, energy, agriculture, and real estate matters.
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Why anyone would vote for Prop 50:
Because they loved the lockdown.
They hate small businesses.
They hate big businesses.
They think the right to a late-term abortion is the greatest advancement ever for women.
They would like to pay more taxes.
They want their neighborhoods destroyed by “affordable housing” that's never affordable.
They wish all women's sports would be played by men.
They want to be forced to ride bicycles so their elected officials can fly in private jets.
And they are stupid.
Get your NO on 50 vote mailed in asap!!