California Special Election Ballot Measures

Turns out there is a special election going on today and 6 ballot measures are up for vote. All of them are supposedly meant to address the huge budget deficit (42 billion at one point, now expected to be closer to 50 billion). After a bit of forced reading here is how I plan to vote today:

1A: Extend tax increases, etc. Negatives are that it extends the tax increases already in place (income, VLF) by two years for a total of 4 years, but this is also the positive in that it actually addresses the deficit head-on. Other aspects to this measure (establishing a rainy day fund, soft limits to spending programs) are noble, but are really not the main issue. I am voting YES.

1B: Guarantees some money for school even in lean years. Just put in place to avoid the teachers unions from campaigning against 1A - for 1B to take effect, 1A also has to pass. I am going with NO.

1C: Selling future rights to lottery proceeds. It sounds like a reasonable initiative and may be worthy of an YES vote. However, based on principle (I don't like lotteries), I am going with NO.

1D: Divert tobacco money from 'First 5' program to other health and child related services. Both causes seem good. Vote YES.

1E: Divert money for mental health programs to some other health programs. I think there is already too little attention paid to mental health issues. Vote NO.

1F: No pay hikes for legistlators in deficit years. I see this as a sop to the voters - a way for them to vent their frustration and means very little in practice. I am going with a NO vote.