October 7, 2003 Special Statewide Election

NO ON PROPOSITION 53

DEDICATED SPENDING

Oppose Proposition 53—Funds Dedicated for State and Local Infrastructure.

This measure would lock into the state constitution a new program of pay-as-you-go infrastructure funding. It is true that public works projects are needed, but Prop 53 is the wrong way to pay for them. Legislators would allocate funds, half to state and half to local projects of their choice, with no requirement for funding the projects of greatest need and no accountability. K-12 schools and community colleges would be excluded. Prop 53 does not provide new revenue but simply earmarks funds, even if that means cuts for essential health care, education, public safety, or other programs. Even in hard times, transfers from the General Fund might still be required, reducing the state's flexibility in setting priorities.

NO ON PROPOSITION 54

INFORMATION BAN

Oppose Proposition 54—Classification by Race, Ethnicity, Color, or National Origin.

This constitutional amendment would ban state and local governments from using information essential to public health, education reforms, crime prevention, and civil rights enforcement—even though much of this data would still have to be collected to meet federal mandates. The medical "exemption" is poorly written, will invite litigation, and could jeopardize the use of information important in fighting cancer, heart disease, diabetes, the spread of infectious diseases and other illnesses. The California Medical Association and more than 40 other health organizations agree that Proposition 54 is bad medicine for all Californians.