The CALÓ News Editorial Board is making endorsements on the state propositions and county or city wide measures that will have the biggest impact on the Latino community in Los Angeles.

State Proposition 30

Provides Funding for Programs to Reduce Air Pollution and Prevent Wildfires by Increasing Tax on Personal Income over $2 million

This measure would impose a 1.75% personal income tax increase on some of the wealthiest Californians for their income above $2 million annually. It would fund climate programs for cleaner air and to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets.

Latino community leaders interviewed by CALÓ NEWS said this measure will make electric cars more accessible. It also will improve air quality and that will be helpful for those with asthma.

Vote YES

State Proposition 1

Constitutional Right to Reproductive Freedom

This measure would amend ​​the California Constitution to guarantee a fundamental right to reproductive freedom. This includes the right to choose to have an abortion and the right to choose or refuse contraceptives. This was added to the ballot after Roe V. Wade was overturned to ensure that reproductive rights are protected in California.

Nearly 8 out of 10 Latina voters agree that pregnant people should be able to have an abortion without fear of arrest or investigation, according to a 2020 nationwide poll sponsored by reproductive justice groups, including The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice. Supporting abortion rights is important to the Latino/a/x community. 

Vote YES

State Proposition  28

Provides Additional Funding for Arts and Music Education in Public Schools

This measure would  require schools to spend 80% of the new funding on hiring arts and music instructors. This will primarily benefit schools that serve children in lower income brackets. It will not result in an increase in taxes.

According to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), only 26 percent of Latinos ages 18-24 surveyed in 2008 reported receiving any arts education. This is down from 47 percent in 1982.

Arts and music are a vital part of education and they must be funded. 

Vote YES

County Measure A

Provides the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors authority to remove an elected sheriff for cause

This measure would hold the Los Angeles County Sheriff more accountable to the public. It authorizes the removal of a sheriff for serious public trust violations, such as breaking the law, stealing county funds and obstructing investigations into deputy misconduct. The removal would require a supermajority, at least four of the five Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors must vote to remove the sheriff.

This proposition is needed as the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s office needs reform. Deputies have been linked to gangs and there have been shootings of civilians without justice, including the June 2020 killing of Andres Guardado, only 18 years old. The current sheriff Alex Villanueva also has abused his power by defending the arrests of journalists and firing advisors who were there to make sure he upheld the law.

Vote YES

City Measure ULA

Affordable housing

The United to House L.A. measure would impose a Los Angeles city tax on commercial and residential property sales valued at more than $5 million. The new tax primarily from the sales of apartment buildings and commercial real estate could generate $600 to $1 billion annually. Those funds would go towards affordable housing and a homeless prevention fund.

The number of Latinos who are unhoused in Los Angeles County has increased by more than a quarter to 44%,  according to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority’s latest homeless count. We need more affordable housing options for the Latino community.

Vote YES

City Measure LH

Permission to build additional affordable housing units in the city of Los Angeles

This measure would allow for the development, construction or acquisition of up to 5,000 additional affordable housing units in each of the city of Los Angeles’ 15 city council districts. This doesn’t mean the units would be built but the voters need to approve proposed affordable housing. Article 34 in the state Constitution was adopted in 1950 when there was a backlash against public housing driven by racism and bigotry. The Constitution requires that cities get voter approval before they build “low-rent housing” funded with public money. 

In general, rents are on the rise and Latinos are less likely to receive rent relief. Many Latinos also are priced out of being able to purchase a home. Los Angeles urgently needs more affordable housing options.

Vote YES