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September 17, 2007
California Ballot Propositions 2008 (Sneak Preview)
Presented by Jack Lee
ELECTION SPECIAL!
Propositions that are on the February 5, 2008 Presidential Primary Election Ballot
Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute 1238. (07-0004, Amdt. #1S)
Limits on Legislators’ Terms in Office. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.
Proponents: Robin B. Johansen and Kari Krogseng c/o James C. Harrison (510) 346-6200
Reduces the total amount of time a person may serve in the state legislature from 14 years to 12 years. Allows a person to serve a total of 12 years either in the Assembly, the Senate, or a combination of both. Provides a transition period to allow current members to serve a total of 12 consecutive years in the house in which they are currently serving, regardless of any prior service in another house. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: This measure would have no direct fiscal effect on state or local governments. (07-0004.) (Full Text)
Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute 1182. (SA2005RF0123)
Transportation Funding. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.
Proponent: James Earp, c/o Richard D. Martland (916) 446-6752
Prohibits retention of funds earmarked for the Transportation Investment Fund in the General Fund for use unrelated to transportation after 7/1/08. Requires repayment by 6/30/17 of transportation funds retained in the General Fund in years prior to 2007-08. Eliminates General Fund borrowing of specified transportation funds, except for cash-flow purposes (repayment required within 30 days of adoption of budget); current law allows borrowing for three
years where Governor declares transfer would cause significant negative fiscal impact on governmental functions and Legislature enacts authorizing statute. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: No revenue or cost effects. Increases stability of funding to transportation in 2007-08 and thereafter; reduces somewhat the state’s flexibility to use specified transportation funds for other (nontransportation) activities. (SA2005RF0123) (Full Text)
Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute 1226. (06-0030)
Community Colleges. Funding. Governance. Fees. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.
Proponents: Dennis Smith and Scott Lay c/o Eugene Hill (916) 442-2952
Establishes in state constitution a system of independent public community college districts and Board of Governors. Generally, requires minimum levels of state funding for school districts and community college districts to be calculated separately, using different criteria and separately appropriated. Allocates 10.46 percent of current Proposition 98 school funding maintenance factor to community colleges. Sets community college fees at $15/unit per semester; limits future fee increases. Provides formula for allocation by Legislature to community college districts that would not otherwise receive general fund revenues through community college apportionment. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Potential increases in state spending on K-14 education of about $135 million in 2007-08, $275 million in 2008-09, and $470 million in 2009-2010, with unknown impact annually thereafter. Annual loss of fee revenues to community colleges of about $71 million in 2007-08, with unknown impacts annually thereafter. (06-0030.) (Full Text)
Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute 1238. (07-0004, Amdt. #1S)
Propositions that are on the November 4, 2008 General Election Ballot
Bond Measure - SB 1856 (Chapter 697, 2002). Costa.
Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act for the 21st Century.*
*Note: The Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act for the 21st Century was originally scheduled to appear on the November 2, 2004, General Election ballot. Subsequently, Senate Bill 1169, Chapter 71, Statutes of 2004, provided that it appear on the November 7, 2006, General Election ballot. However, most recently, Assembly Bill 713, Chapter 44, Statutes of 2006, provides for the submission of this Act on the November 4, 2008, General Election ballot instead.
Pending signature verification...
1239. (07-0002, Amdt. #1S) - Workers’ Compensation. Statutory Amendment.
Summary Date: 4/12/07 Circulation Deadline: 09/10/07 Signatures Required: 433,971
Proponent: William S. Morris (209) 667-1948
Entitles workers injured “because of” their employment to receive medical treatment ordered from an unlimited number of licensed medical practitioners as chosen by the worker and without regard to the nature or location of practitioner. Eliminates need for preapproval of treatment provided that worker gives employer written notice of injury and employer does not file documents contesting liability. Eliminates employers’ right to challenge treatment, pharmaceuticals, or diagnostic evaluations. Provides for payment of services within 60 days and in accordance with established schedule of charges. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Increased annual state and local government costs—potentially in the mid-hundreds of millions of dollars—for workers’ compensation benefits for their employees. (07-0002.) (Full Text)
Currently in circulation for signatures and not yet qualified....
1240. Redistricting...
1241. Redistricting...
1244. Reimbursement of ...
1245. Ban on Legislators' ...
1246. Training for ...
1247. Marriage. Elimination ...
1248. Government Acquisition...
1249. Mandatory Reporting of Pregnancies...
1250. Requirements for Presidential ...
1251. Eminent Domain ...
1252. Candidate Vote Requirement ...
1253. Marriage. Elimination ...
1254. Limit on Marriage ...
1255. Limit on Marriage ...
1256. Internet Poker...
1257. Tangible Ballot...
1258. Referendum Petition to ...
1259. Referendum Petition to ...
1260. Referendum Petition to ...
1261. Referendum Petition to ...
1262. Reduces Public Pension ...
1263. Redistricting ...
1264. Marriage. Elimination....
1265. Treatment of Farm ...
1266. Wealth Tax...
1267. Nuclear Energy...
1268. Presidential Electors ...
1269. Personal Income Tax...
1270. Dietary Supplements...
1271. Children’s Hospital...
Posted by Post Scripts at September 17, 2007 09:02 AM
Comments
Workers Comp Ammendment...on goody:
Entitles workers injured “because of” their employment to receive medical treatment ordered from an unlimited number of licensed medical practitioners as chosen by the worker and without regard to the nature or location of practitioner.
So my employee can wrench his back lifting a heavy object and insist that the only treatment that works for him is a massage therapist located in Hawaii...Las Vegas...Aspen?
Eliminates employers’ right to challenge treatment, pharmaceuticals, or diagnostic evaluations.
Sure, why should the guy paying the premium have a say in the matter!
Posted by: Tina at September 17, 2007 08:05 PM
I'm one who injured their back on the job and my employer made me jump through hoops to get treatment. Because of their ability to pick and choose what doctor I could see and what treatment they wanted to pay for it took 3 years and a severe disk herniation before I got the approval for surgery. This bill may need to be tweeked a little but it's most definitly going in the right direction. It's got my vote.
Posted by: Kathy at February 6, 2008 10:14 AM
Kathy believe me I can understand your frustration but I hope you will consider a few things before making a final decision.
Eliminates employers’ right to challenge treatment, pharmaceuticals, or diagnostic evaluation
Employees understandably think this is good and if all employeees were honest perhaps it would. Trouble is a lot of employees are not honest. The amount of fraud in the system is pretty high and that cost employers a lot of money in higher premiums and increased prices for products and services to the consumer or job losses...not good for any of us.
I hope you were in contact with the workers comp insurer so that your options were clear and your employer wasn't taking advantage of you. The state and the insurer make the employer jump through hoops also.
In any case if we want control over our medical treatment the only way to guarantee it is to pay for it ourselves...that way we make the rules and we have self determined choice.
I hope you are doing better.
Posted by: Tina at February 6, 2008 04:57 PM