Homeless Californians face many barriers to casting a ballot, even in elections that affect their lives. Some counties and nonprofits are trying to boost turnout.
Election 2024
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Can a $10 billion climate bond address California’s water contamination problem?
Proposition 4 would allocate $610 million for clean, safe and reliable drinking water and require at least 40% be spent on projects that benefit vulnerable populations or disadvantaged communities.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
In state’s Prop 5, advocates see a path to better funding for affordable housing, roads and more
State Proposition 5 on the Nov. 5 ballot would lower the voter approval threshold for affordable housing and public infrastructure bonds. While its chances of passing statewide are unclear, the measure has strong support from public officials in Santa Cruz County who are trying to confront the area’s housing crisis and significant infrastructure needs driven by climate change-driven disasters. If it does pass, local housing advocates say it would make funding the creation of more affordable housing “a lot more doable.”
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
More than a little too sweet: Vote yes on Measure Z
Lookout politics columnist Mike Rotkin is voting yes on Measure Z, the sugary drink tax. He says community health and long-term benefit are the deciding factors.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Santa Cruz County’s local tax and bond measures all deserve support
Lookout politics columnist Mike Rotkin endorses all 13 of the local taxes and bonds on the ballot on Nov. 5. No one loves paying, he writes, but the combination of 1978’s Proposition 13 and the current tax structure that gives breaks to corporations at the expense of homeowners is to blame. Local cities need more money to provide services, he writes.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Big Soda’s ads on Santa Cruz’s Measure Z fail to tell the full story
Dr. John Maa, chair of the California Advocacy Committee of the American Heart Association, and Sabrina Adler of nonpartisan nonprofit ChangeLab Solutions write that voters deserve to know the facts about what the beverage industry is doing to thwart the democratic process in relation to local taxes on sugary drink distributors – as Santa Cruz’s Measure Z seeks to implement.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Why progressives should vote no on Measure Z
Measure Z is a regressive tax that targets working people, writes Jeffrey Smedberg, a Bernie Sanders supporter who helped found Santa Cruz for Bernie. He thinks the city council was hypocritical for putting the measure on the ballot and that the real goal is revenue for the general fund.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Vote no on Measure U – use common sense and read the impartial analysis of consequences for SLV Water
Measure U makes no sense, writes Nancy B. Macy, a 50-year resident of Boulder Creek. The measure asks voters in the San Lorenzo Valley Water District to reverse a recent water bill hike and cap future charges. Macy sees the measure as shortsighted and foolish and against all the advice of experts. “Was the structure of the rate increase responsible? Thoughtfully designed by experts? Legally adopted? Is the rate increase necessary and was it carefully considered with public input and adapted to customer needs? Yes, yes, yes and yes!” she writes, while urging a no vote.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
It’s hard to break up with Trump – Red America, I understand
Santa Cruz therapist Lisa Herendeen tries to walk the American public through a breakup with Donald Trump. Depression, shame, anger are all normal feelings after falling in love with a narcissist, she writes in this humorous piece.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: Yes on Capitola, Scotts Valley and school bond measures
Yes, tax bites do mount up, bit by bit. Yet, they are essential to keep local governments and our schools moving forward, meeting these anxious times. The Lookout Editorial Board supports both Capitola’s and Scotts Valley’s tax increases, and those of the six local districts seeking approval.