This November, Californians will have 12 state initiatives to vote on. Over the next few days, I’m going to try and cover what I think of each of them.<\/p>\n
The right to legislate by initiative is one of the great features of California politics; it’s also one of it’s great failures. As a defense of the people’s interest against legislative action – or inaction – it’s a good thing. The fact that the people’s interests may need to be defended against the Legislature is a horrible thing.<\/p>\n
For detailed information on these initiatives, including arguments for and against, go to the California Secretary of State’s site<\/a>. 1A – Bonds for high-speed rail<\/a><\/p>\n 2 – Ban ‘factory farming’ of domestic animals<\/a><\/p>\n 3 – Bonds for designated Children’s hospitals<\/a><\/p>\n 4 – Parental notification of minor’s intent to have an abortion<\/a><\/p>\n 5 – Drug rehabilitation<\/a><\/p>\n 6 – Police funding lockup, gang crimes<\/a><\/p>\n 7 – Renewable energy requirements<\/a><\/p>\n 8 – Bans gay marriage<\/a><\/p>\n 9 – Victims rights<\/a><\/p>\n 10 – Renewable energy bonds, alternative fuel vehicles<\/a><\/p>\n