We believe in prevention and girding for resilience, the Lookout Editorial Board writes in urging a yes vote on Measure Q, the Santa Cruz County Water and Wildfire Protection Initiative. We trust the collective will of the local environmental organizations that have guided us for decades and our elected officials to try this experiment in community preparedness.
Nov. 5 2024 ballot measures
Coverage of local and state measures on the ballot for Santa Cruz County voters in the 2024 general election.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
County fire district measures seek to secure much-needed funding
Three Santa Cruz County fire protection districts — Central Fire, Scotts Valley and Zayante — are each putting either tax or bond measures out to voters this November aimed at funding aspects of fire response, ranging from vehicle fleet updates to modernizing existing fire stations and even constructing new facilities altogether.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
No one is fighting a proposition to ban forced labor in California prisons. Why it could still fail
Supporters of a proposition to ban forced labor in California prisons believe they have a strong message centered on rehabilitation. But as Election Day nears, polls show Prop 6 as a toss-up or trailing.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
What’s on my ballot? Residents discuss several statewide propositions at Bookshop Santa Cruz event
Lookout and nonprofit, nonpartisan news outlet CalMatters hosted an event Wednesday at Bookshop Santa Cruz to help educate local voters on statewide propositions on the November ballot in California.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Prop 5: A critical step toward more affordable housing
Proposition 5, which would lower the threshold for public approval of affordable housing and infrastructure to 55% in California makes sense, writes Elaine Johnson, executive director of Housing Santa Cruz County. Right now, the threshold is 66.7% and she says it’s too high to get crucial housing built in our state.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California ballot measure promises ‘mass treatment’ for drug crimes. Can counties provide it?
Proposition 36 pledges to send more people convicted of drug possession to treatment instead of prison. Behavioral health directors say that’s easier said than done with workforce shortages across California.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Lookout, CalMatters event will tackle state ballot questions
Lookout Santa Cruz will partner with CalMatters to host a forum on California’s statewide ballot questions from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Bookshop Santa Cruz. CalMatters will break down, analyze and answer questions about this year’s ballot propositions.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
In the Public Interest: Former U.S. labor secretary on what pulled him into soda tax fight a decade ago
As Santa Cruz tries to pass a tax on sugary beverages, Robert Reich, former U.S. Secretary of Labor, tells Christopher Neely what he learned in Berkeley’s 2014 effort.
Posted inEducation
Raw sewage and bursting pipes: Why California community colleges are asking voters for repairs
This November, California voters will decide on Proposition 2, a $10 billion education bond. Some community colleges are counting on the money to fix critical buildings and protect the safety of students.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
At critical time, San Lorenzo Valley Water District will vote on trustees, new fee structure
At a critical time for the San Lorenzo Valley Water District, four candidates are competing for two open board seats this fall, while voters will also consider Measure U, a proposed overhaul of the district’s fee structure.