SATURDAY, NOV

Californians Likely to Pass Props 1, 28 & 31

BY SHAWN RAYMUNDO

Proposition 1, the state ballot measure that looks to enshrine in California’s constitution that women have the right to an abortion and contraception, is on track to pass with 65% of voters approving it, according to the latest results from the Secretary of State’s office.

The measure followed the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision this past June to overturn Roe v. Wade—the long-standing SCOTUS ruling that found the U.S. Constitutional protection to privacy included the right to an abortion.

By amending the state’s constitution under the measure, proponents have stated, it would unquestionably protect a person’s right to an abortion without leaving the law and court rulings up to interpretation.

According to the same results, Californians voted to pass Propositions 28 and 31 with a 61.5% and 62.3% majority, respectively.

Under Prop 28, the measure to provide additional funding for public schools’ arts and music education, K-12 public school arts education programs would re-

Dozens of demonstrators gather on the corner of Avenida Del Mar and El Camino Real on June 28 to protest the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade. Photo: Breeana Greenberg

ceive an established amount of funding from the pool of funds previously created through Proposition 98 in 1988.

That original proposition guaranteed either a minimum of 40% of the General Fund on K-14 education, or a minimum guarantee based on student attendance and change in cost of living.

Prop 28 would guarantee a minimum of 1% of that funding would go specifically toward arts education programs. Proposition 28 would reportedly increase state costs by $800 million to $1 billion annually.

With the Prop 31 expected to pass, the State Senate bill that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed in 2020 to ban the sale of most flavored tobacco products would officially become law. After Senate Bill 793 was signed, opponents pushed for the referendum, allowing Californians to decide whether the ban should go into effect or to overturn the policy.

Also on the ballot this year were two measures, Propositions 26 and 27, related to sports gambling. Neither measure is likely to pass, based on the unofficial results from Wednesday morning, with Prop 27 in particular being rejected by an overwhelming 83.3% of voters.

Prop 26 proposed allowing in-person sports wagering at Native American casinos on professional, college or amateur athletic events. It also proposed to enact a 10% tax on the profits received from sports betting at racetracks to fund problem gambling prevention and mental health initiatives enforcement, as well as the General Fund.

Prop 27 looked to make California the latest state to allow online or mobile betting on sporting events. Under the measure, it would have authorized gaming tribes and online sports betting or qualified gaming companies with agreements with gaming tribes to operate online sports betting outside Native American lands.

In what was now the third attempt in as many General Elections to add more oversight at dialysis clinics in California, Proposition 29 again failed to get enough support from voters, with a majority of them, nearly 70%, rejecting it, the latest results showed.

California’s voters also rejected, with 59% of the vote, Proposition 30, which looked to increase the income tax on millionaires to fund a clean air trust that would be divided into sub-funds.

Portions of the coffers would have gone into an investment plan for zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, the Zero-Emission Vehicle and Clean Mobility Sub-Fund, and the Wildfire Green House Gas Emissions Reduction Sub-Funds.

Opponents of Prop 30 had argued that the taxes raised would only benefit special interests, including those of supporting corporation Lyft. SC

Michael Parham Has Strong Showing in Unofficial Special Capo Unified Trustee Election Results

BY COLLIN BREAUX

As of Wednesday morning, Nov. 9, Michael Parham was the top vote-getter in the specially called Area 2 election for the Capistrano Unified School District’s Board of Trustees.

While results are still early and have yet to be fully counted, Parham had 45% (6,385) of the votes. His opponent, Kira Davis, had 41% (5,907) of the votes.

Jessica Hubbard was also listed on the ballot and had 14% (2,030) of the votes, though she announced beforehand that she had dropped out of the race and would instead be voting for Parham.

Parham declined to comment on the results on Wednesday morning. Davis had not responded to a request for comment, as of press time.

A Special Election for Area 2 was called after former Trustee Pamela Braunstein resigned earlier this year because of what she said was harassment for her support of COVID-19 restrictions in schools. Area 2 covers Ladera Ranch.

Parham lives in Rancho Mission Viejo, is a father of four children, advised companies as an investment banker and CPA and previously served on the Irvine Unified School District Board of Education for 12 years. He was endorsed by the Capistrano Unified Education Association, the local teachers union.

Parham’s campaign emphasized building better dialogue between the district and parents and developing more credibility with the public if it wants to get support for bond measures that would fund facility upgrades at Dana Hills High School and other campuses.

Davis’ platform had been staunchly anti-COVID restrictions, particularly mask requirements, and advocated for parents being able to make decisions for their children. Capo Unified schools don’t currently have COVID restrictions

Michael Parham.

in place. She also lives in Ladera Ranch, is a mother of two children and writes for RedState, a conservative outlet.

Parham has said he is against vaccine requirements.

Two other seats, Area 4 and Area 7, were also up for election on the Board of Trustees. Area 4 covers Laguna Niguel, and Area 7 includes Mission Viejo.

Gary Pritchard had the most votes as of Wednesday morning in Area 4, with 50% (6,644) of the votes. The other candidates, Jim Glantz and Darin Patel, had 42% (5,576) and 9% (1,165) of the votes, respectively.

Current Area 4 Trustee and Board President Martha McNicholas previously announced she would not be running for reelection but would continue advocating for local schools, including Dana Hills High. In Area 7, incumbent Trustee Judy Bullockus had the early lead at 56% (7,292) of the votes. Her challenger, Jeanette Contreras, had 44% (5,839) of the votes. SC