2008 Woodie Awards
Proposition Preview
There are several propositions on November's ballot to consider.
LaGina Phillips and Adriana Olivarez
Issue date: 10/27/04 Section: News
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California voters will be deciding Nov. 2 on the 16 propositions on the ballot, including the controversial stem cell research proposition, the re-writing of the "Three Strikes" law and the revenues from Indian Casinos.
Proposition 71 - Stem Cell Research
Perhaps one of the most controversial, Proposition 71 - Stem Cell Research Funding, would establish a constitutional right to perform stem-cell research, with the funds for the research coming from the sale of $3 billion in state bonds. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is among the many supporters of Proposition 71.
"Research that we do now holds the promise of cures for tomorrow. California has always been a pioneer...We are the world's bio-tech leader and Prop. 71 will help ensure that we maintain that position while saving lives in the process," he said in an Oct. 18 statement. "I encourage Californians to join me in voting for Prop. 71."
Supporters say an estimated 128 million Americans suffer from diseases and injuries that could be treated or cured with stem cell therapies. In fact, these medical conditions, such as cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and spinal cord injuries affect someone in nearly half of all families, according to the Yes on 71 website.
Some think that the proposition would be detrimental to California's already wavering debt.
"Proposition 71 is fiscally unwise and will lead California further into debt," said Tim Rosales at Johnson Clark Associates, who strongly opposes Proposition 71.
Proposition 66 - Limitations on "Three Strikes" Law
If the controversial "Three Strikes" law revision were passed, it would require increased sentences of 25 years when the current conviction is for a specified violent or serious felony. It also redefines violent and serious felonies to mean that only when a prior conviction is specified as a violent or serious felony, brought and tried separately, would it qualify for second and third "strike" sentence increases. If passed, the law would allow conditional re-sentencing of people with sentences under the current "Three Strikes" law if previous sentencing offenses or prior convictions, would no longer qualify as violent or serious felonies. The proposition would also increase punishment for specified sex crimes against children.
Proposition 71 - Stem Cell Research
Perhaps one of the most controversial, Proposition 71 - Stem Cell Research Funding, would establish a constitutional right to perform stem-cell research, with the funds for the research coming from the sale of $3 billion in state bonds. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is among the many supporters of Proposition 71.
"Research that we do now holds the promise of cures for tomorrow. California has always been a pioneer...We are the world's bio-tech leader and Prop. 71 will help ensure that we maintain that position while saving lives in the process," he said in an Oct. 18 statement. "I encourage Californians to join me in voting for Prop. 71."
Supporters say an estimated 128 million Americans suffer from diseases and injuries that could be treated or cured with stem cell therapies. In fact, these medical conditions, such as cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and spinal cord injuries affect someone in nearly half of all families, according to the Yes on 71 website.
Some think that the proposition would be detrimental to California's already wavering debt.
"Proposition 71 is fiscally unwise and will lead California further into debt," said Tim Rosales at Johnson Clark Associates, who strongly opposes Proposition 71.
Proposition 66 - Limitations on "Three Strikes" Law
If the controversial "Three Strikes" law revision were passed, it would require increased sentences of 25 years when the current conviction is for a specified violent or serious felony. It also redefines violent and serious felonies to mean that only when a prior conviction is specified as a violent or serious felony, brought and tried separately, would it qualify for second and third "strike" sentence increases. If passed, the law would allow conditional re-sentencing of people with sentences under the current "Three Strikes" law if previous sentencing offenses or prior convictions, would no longer qualify as violent or serious felonies. The proposition would also increase punishment for specified sex crimes against children.
