We endorse

By: North County Times Opinion staff | Saturday, November 4, 2006 7:20 PM PST ∞

Proposition 1A: YES

We shouldn't need this constitutional amendment, but we do. Californians already voted to set aside the sales tax on gasoline for transportation projects, but the Legislature still used it to balance the budget. Prop. 1A would further limit lawmakers' ability to do so ---- only twice per decade ---- and make them pay back what they borrow.

Proposition 1B: YES

After 30 years of neglecting the state's infrastructure, this $19.9 billion will begin to dig California out of that hole. It will pump at least $473 million into projects in San Diego County.

Proposition 1C: NO

This $2.85 billion housing bond for infill development and shelters won't do much to help the state's housing problems while needlessly adding to California's bond debt.

Proposition 1D: YES

Prop. 1D would sell $10.4 billion worth of bonds to fund school construction projects for our K-12 schools, community colleges and universities. That's smart ---- bonds should only be used to fund one-time projects that improve the state's infrastructure and long-term assets.

Proposition 1E: NO

Prop. 1E's $4.1 billion bond would focus on protecting farms and housing in Northern California from floods. While much of our drinking water flows through those canals, Prop. 1E does more to subsidize below-sea level development than to actually protect our tap water. It's a tough call, but the state can't afford all the borrowing on Tuesday's ballot.

Proposition 83: NO

Beneath the emotionally charged rhetoric, Prop. 83 is too vague, redundant, costly and ineffective. Other states, such as Iowa, have tried Jessica's Law and prosecutors there now want to repeal it because it stretches law enforcement's resources and isn't working. Expanding the off-limits areas where convicted sex offenders could live would mostly push them underground or to less-populated areas, where there are also less cops to keep an eye on them.

Proposition 84: NO

Prop. 84, a $5.38 billion bond for parks, environmental projects and more flood control, is such a large grab bag of goodies that we'll be lucky to notice its impact, and, like Prop. 1C, it will pile more debt on the backs of our children. These are worthy causes that could and should be funded by the Legislature, not through another statewide bond.

Proposition 85: NO

Requiring minors to tell their parents before they have an abortion sounds reasonable, but voters should reject Prop. 85 to protect those California girls who come from violent homes. The state's laws aren't just there for the girls from good homes with loving parents; they are also supposed to protect the ones who are in danger, and Prop. 85 doesn't give them that protection.

Proposition 86: YES

Raising cigarette taxes by $2.60 a pack is a steep increase, for sure. But such a hefty tax will discourage and prevent smoking, regardless of how the money from the new tax is spent. That's good for smokers and good for all Californians who breathe second-hand smoke and must foot the bill for rising medical costs associated with cigarettes.

Proposition 87: YES

California can again lead the way by imposing a severance tax ---- we currently don't have one ---- on oil extracted in our state and using it to find alternative energy sources.

Proposition 88: NO

Prop. 88, which would add $50 to the property tax bill of virtually every landowner in the state to fund school improvements, is so flawed it is opposed by nearly every political and educational group in the state ---- Republicans, Democrats, teachers unions and taxpayer advocates. Broken down by the state's student population, Prop. 88 would provide very little to help education in California.

Proposition 89: NO

Taxing corporations to help the state fund political campaigns is an unfair and unwise way to reduce the influence money has on elections. The measure's spending limit exemption for nonprofit groups gives its proponents, the California Nurses Association, an unfair advantage in state politics.

Proposition 90: NO

Government should have to compensate owners for taking their land, but Prop. 90 goes way beyond that and will cripple government's ability to preserve open space, change zoning and protect the environment.

San Diego County Proposition A: NO

The airport authority's three-year-long search for a new airport site has been a massive waste of time and resources, and we're still without a real solution to our air travel needs. It's clear the Marines aren't going to give up Miramar, and we should shift our focus toward solutions that are attainable.

City of Carlsbad Propositions D and E: NO

Both claim to preserve agricultural land. The problem is that much of the land in question is already zoned to allow farmers to grow berries on the fields. So neither initiative would significantly add or improve protections for the land. However, both could cause problems. There's no real evidence that the strawberry fields are in danger.

San Marcos Proposition K: YES

San Marcos voters haven't given North County's lowest paid city council a raise since 1988 and the job requires more and more of their time.

Vista Proposition L: YES

This proposed sales-tax hike, Proposition L, shouldn't be Vistans' top priority (see Props. T and M), but they should still consider approving it. The public safety measures and community amenities it will pay for make it worth the extra 50-cent charge for every $100 spent in the city.

Palomar College Proposition M: YES

Much of Palomar College's San Marcos campus was built more than 50 years ago and the college needs to expand to accommodate growth. The college is an important asset to North County, and it's time to invest in its future.

Carlsbad Unified School District Proposition P: YES

There's no doubt Carlsbad High School is severely overcrowded and needs to be rebuilt and expanded. Also, if Proposition 1D passes, Prop. P will provide money to get matching funds to refurbish the district's schools.

Tri-City Hospital Proposition T: YES

We still need a new hospital in coastal North County. Tri-City's aging facilities need updating, and this bond is its best bet to stay competitive in the tough health care market while meeting a rapidly approaching state deadline for renovating with earthquake safety in mind.

California Governor: Arnold Schwarzenegger

Schwarzenegger has delivered results while learning an extraordinarily tough job with a very steep learning curve. He has served the state well, and we still need him in Sacramento.

Carlsbad Mayor: Bud Lewis

Bud Lewis has smartly guided Carlsbad's growth by pushing initiatives to make developers pay for roads and infrastructure and twice lowering the total number of houses that can be built in the city. He is pragmatic, and the success of the city is evidence of his leadership. The mayor's support of the proposed Poseidon desalination plant is another reason Lewis should remain as the city's top official.

Carlsbad City Council: Matt Hall, Mark Packard

Both Matt Hall and Mark Packard are hardworking, knowledgeable and helping to guide Carlsbad in the calm waters of fiscal strength. It's hard for challengers to unseat incumbents when the city is, by almost any measure, being run so well. The choice gets even easier when the opposition is so weak.

Escondido Mayor: Lori Holt Pfeiler

Lori Holt Pfeiler has led Escondido down a path to renewal. She was sensible about keeping Palomar Medical Center in Escondido and allowing it to build a new hospital at the Escondido Research and Technology Center ---- keeping that valuable community asset and the jobs it creates in the city. She was also a voice of reason when it came to the city's recently passed ban on renting to illegal immigrants.

Escondido City Council: Dick Daniels, Darol Caster

Dick Daniels is a sure pick to continue Escondido's steady progress toward revitalizing its downtown and technology park.

Darol Caster is a strong advocate of infill growth, which in Escondido means revitalizing the downtown and industrial sectors of the city. Caster recognizes that the hard work that went into improving Escondido's image was made more difficult by Marie Waldron's grandstanding.

Encinitas City Council: Teresa Barth, Dan Dalager

Teresa Barth will contribute a welcome fresh perspective to the council, and through that, make it more responsive to Encinitas' communities. Dan Dalager may not always agree with you, but you can count on him to have solid reasons for his viewpoint.

Oceanside City Council: Rocky Chavez, Jerry Kern

It's time to swing the council back ---- back to leaders who have the whole city's interests at heart, not just their political supporters. Rocky Chavez has been on the right side of nearly every important issue. Jerry Kern is an excellent replacement for Shari Mackin. He supports building the Rancho del Oro interchange and working with regional planners to get traffic moving. Kern realizes the importance of the airport and sees the foolishness in the attempts to close it down.

San Marcos Mayor: Corky Smith

Corky Smith has become synonymous with San Marcos. Considering the stunningly successful growth San Marcos has enjoyed in the last three decades, that's an association of which to be quite proud. It's also more than enough reason to return the affable elder statesman of San Marcos back to the mayor's seat.

San Marcos City Council: Mike Preston and Dean Nelson or Chris Orlando

Mike Preston is widely hailed for spearheading the development of the city's master plan for parks and trails in his first stint on the council between 1987 and 1992. Always ready to mix it up for what he feels is the city's best interests, Preston is a strong voice for fiscal conservatism and open government.

Both Dean Nelson and Chris Orlando have the experience, knowledge and perspective to complement San Marcos' already strong set of elected leaders. Nelson could offer a small-business owner's viewpoint, while Orlando can speak for the people who have populated the tony San Elijo Hills development.

Vista Mayor: Morris Vance

Of the three men running for mayor, Morris Vance appears to be the most committed to being mayor of the entire city, and he possesses the knowledge and experience to guide Vista into the future.

Vista City Council: Bob Campbell, Judy Ritter

Bob Campbell and Judy Ritter are doing well in their jobs, both add valuable insight and expertise to the generally sensible Vista council, and both ably represent their city on regional planning committees.

Poway Mayor: Mickey Cafagna

Mickey Cafagna has shown a willingness to work with others. He exhibits serious leadership, and it shows. Poway boasts the county's lowest crime rates, some of the highest land values, a large municipal reserve, and 50 percent of Poway is set aside as open space.

Poway City Council: Don Higginson, Betty Rexford

When a city is in great shape, there's no need to fire its leaders. Poway voters should re-elect Councilman Don Higginson and Councilwoman Betty Rexford

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