TBL National Election Supplement 2012

TBL BOTTOM LINETHE Associated Students, UC Santa Barbara

Volume 7, Issue 6 | National Election Supplement

For the � rst time in � e Bottom Line’s history, a number of editors and sta� writers have gotten together to provide for you what we intend to be a helpful guide to the November elections. � ere are no endorsements here. � ere is only who is running, what they are running for, and the measures and propositions you as a UCSB student will be seeing on your November 6 ballot. Please do not use this supplement as your only source. We at � e Bottom Line work actively present information to you in the hope that you are inspired to take action or learn more about a subject a� er reading so we hope you actively seek out other information about the election, too. Regardless of what you do, though, there is nothing more important than voting on Nov. 6. Now more than ever your voice is a crucial part of the democratic process that will be occurring on Nov. 6. By voting, you hold those in power accountable for their actions in a way that the media can-not – you prove to them that you are listening, that you are paying attention, and that you are concerned about your future. So go out, go vote, and then join us on our website, bot-tomlineucsb.com, on Tuesday or on our Twitter, @tblucsb, for frequent updates of the election results.

Readers,

-The Bottom Line Editorial Board,

2012-2013

Proposition 34Proposition 34 will determine for the state of California the existence of the use of the death penalty for future and current convicts on death row. � e proposition also will determine if $100 million will go to law enforcement agencies for homicide and rape investigations.

What a ‘Yes’ vote means:

What a ‘No’ vote means:

� e use of the death penalty in California will be eliminated and instead, death-row convicts will be re-sentenced for life without possibility of parole. $100 million dollars will go to funding law enforcement agencies to assist with homicide and rape investigations.

� e death penalty will continue to be used and $100 million in funding will not be allocated for homicide and rape investigations.

Proposition 33� is proposition determines if automobile insurance companies should be permitted to o� er a discount to drivers who have continuously maintained their insurance coverage, even if they change their insurance company.


What a ‘No’ vote means:Automobile insurance companies are permitted to o� er a discount to drivers who have con-tinuously kept up their insurance coverage, even if they change their insurance company.

Automobile insurance companies cannot give drivers a discount for maintaining insurance coverage.

Proposition 36� is measure determines the sentence length upon of a felon who has been convicted of two serious or violent crimes upon their third conviction.



A� er committing a third non-violent crime, felons with two serious or violent crimes under their belt would be sentenced to shorter prison terms.

A� er committing a third crime, regardless of the nature of the crime, felons with two serious or violent crimes already under their belt could be sentenced to life in prison.

Proposition 35If passed, Proposition 35 looks to increase prison sentences and the � nes for human tra� cking convictions. Proposition 35 will require those convicted of human tra� cking to register as sex o� enders and disclose their Internet accounts.


What a ‘No’ vote means: It will require longer prison terms and larger � nes for convicted human tra� ckers.

� e existing penalties for human tra� cking will remain.

Proposition 35 Support:“I am voting yes on Prop. 35 because sexual assault is a huge deal and people don’t take it as a seri-ous o� ense, and human tra� ckers and sex o� enders are only charged with 3 years sentences if convicted. If it does not pass it only perpetuates a society of victim blaming and rape culture.” - Mariam Agazaryan, chair of the Womyn Commission and fourth-year political science and global studies double major

Proposition 32 � is proposition determines if the laws involving unions the use of payroll deductions for political campaigns will remain as is.



Avenues for unions and corporations to raise money for campaign contributions will be cut o� . According to professor Eric Smith, this applies more to unions than it does to corpora-tions, due to the exceptions written into the bill for corporations.

All the rules will be unchanged for campaign contributions.

Proposition 32 Comment:“� e primary target of Prop. 32 is the unions. Corporations are limited in some small ways, but there are a lot of exceptions. It goes a� er the central way in which unions make money, which is monthly check-o� s.” - Eric Smith

Proposition 31 � is Proposition proposes a higher level of accountability for a budget cycle and determines whether or not the governor is given emergency budget-cutting powers.



� e budget cycle will be set to a two-year cycle and performance reviews will be instituted for state programs. Performance goals will be set for state and local budgets. It grants the governor budget-cutting powers in states of � scal emergencies.

Nothing changes. No performance reviews will be enacted, no two-year cycle will be instituted and, most importantly, the governor will not be granted unilateral budget cutting power in the case of a � scal emergency.

Proposition 32 Comment:“One of the things it does politically is shi� more power to the governor’s o� ce. It takes power away from state legislatures. Performance reviews sound great, and are generallysuper� cial… Usually it doesn’t really accomplish much.” - Eric Smith

� is Proposition will determine whether or not a tax will be imposed for seven years on tax payers making over $250,000 a year, which would go to fund the education system in California.



� e bill blocks the budget for K-12 and higher education from being slashed. It funds part of the budget shortfall by a small increase in sales tax, and by creating a tax for tax payers making over $250,000 a year.

� e UC Regents have threatened to make up for the California budget shortfall by raising tuition by 20 percent, e� ec-tive immediately in January.

Proposition 30 Support:“� ere was a huge budget de� cit in the CA state budget. Prop. 30 is an attempt to partly close it; it will not completely close it. If Prop. 30 doesn’t pass, there will be immediate budget cuts for all levels of education including the university. � e uno� cial word is that the regents have agreed to pay for the entire cost by increasing tuition.” - Eric Smith, political science professor specializing in voting elections and environmental politics

Proposition 30VOTE NOV

6TH

Issue compiled by:Andrew Haney, Alec Killoran, Annalise Domenighini, Kelsey Gripenstraw, Isabel Atkinson, Jasmine Brown, Ayeyi Aboagye, Maddy Kirsch, Haley Paul, Magali Gauthier

� e Bottom Line | Oct. 24 - Oct. 30page 2 | News


Proposition 40� is Proposition determines who will decide how to redraw State Senate district lines.


� e California Citizens Redistricting Commission (CCRC), a voter-approved independent organization, would determine the State Senate district lines.

� e district lines would be redrawn by o� cials who are overseen by the California Supreme Court.

Proposition 40 Support:“� is commission was formed via a previous ballot initiative, with the goal of preventing poli-ticians from drawing their own districts to suit their own political purposes,” -Micah Brachman, a graduate student with the Geography Department who has studied national redistricting.

Proposition 38� is proposition determines if tax rates will be increased to provide more funding for schools and for repaying state debt.



Personal income tax rates for all but the lowest income rate are increased, and additional mar-ginal tax rates increase with each tax bracket, allocating 60 percent of revenues to K-12 schools, 30 percent to repaying state debt and 10 percent to early childhood programs.

Taxes will not be increased for these speci� c allocations.

Proposition 37� is proposition will decide if foods using genetically modi� ed ingredients should be labeled to inform consumers of the ingredients.



Genetically engineered foods would become properly labeled as such and the Department of Public Health will regulate this labeling and allows individuals to sue food manufacturers who violate the measure’s labeling provisions.

It will remain that no indication will be required on food labels to state if the food or ingredi-ents have been genetically modi� ed.

What a ‘Yes’ vote means What a ‘No’ vote means

Proposition 39Proposition 39 will decide whether or not multistate businesses are required to calculate their California income tax liability based on the percentage of their sales in California.



With this method of calculation, some multistate businesses will have to pay more than they currently pay, generating $550 million annually for � ve years to fund projects that create energy e� ciency and clean energy jobs in California. Also a current, existing law that gives multistate businesses an option to choose a tax liability formula that provides favorable tax treatment for businesses with property and payroll outside California will be repealed. About $1 billion will be collected annually in additional state revenues, about half will be dedicated to alternative energy and energy e� ciency projects while the remaining portion will likely be spent on public schools and community colleges.

Most of the multistate businesses in California will be able to decide how to determine their taxable income from California and no revenue will be generated to fund clean energy projects.

Measure A: Measure A determines whether or not a property tax of $45 per year would be imposed on properties lying within the Santa Barbara

school district, which includes Isla Vista properties.

If passed, the tax will be in e� ect beginning July 1, 2013, and will end July 1, 2016. It will be used to maintain math, science and technology education, music, arts and theater programs as well as retaining quality teachers, increasing career skills courses, providing a citizens oversight committee and providing independent � nancial audits. None of the funds would be used for administrator salaries or bene� ts.

No tax will be imposed, but insu� cient funds within the budgetcould potentially mean the cutting of numerous educational programs.

� e Executive Director of Santa Bar-bara Student Housing Co-op, Bessmer is running because he wants to restore good and appropriate governance to the Board, improve the safety and quality of the parks and maximize the value of IV parks for the community.

� e board of directors is a position that can bring great progress to Isla Vista. However, in a term as short as two years, the director position needs someone who will waste no time adjusting. Having served in student government roles for seven years now, in-cluding IV Foot Patrol student board and numerous other Isla Vista organizations, I have the IV knowl-edge and experience to begin a d d r e s s -ing the residents’ n e e d s right away.

Isla Vista Recreation and Park District CandidatesStarlene Hunt

Pegeen Soutar Je� rey Bessmer Alex RodriguezSawyeh Maghsodloo

Josh Ren� o

Isla Vista has been my home for 30 years; I came here as a UCSB student, bought a home, married and raised a family in this community. I have previously served 8 years as a director of the IVRPD and with a group of devoted community members we were able to implement many improve-ments to our parks and recreation programs, and it is my hope to be able to serve again and con-tinue to make Isla Vista a more beautiful and safer place to live.

Isla Vista is 70 percent students, so we need a board that is re� ective of our community. I am running for the IV Park board to bring eco-friendly proj-ects to the park, � scal responsibility, and union throughout the Isla Vista community.

“I want the residents of IV to have their voices heard regarding the parks, wildlife and bed-room tax increases.”

Hunt is a student, substance abuse counselor and a home health aide. Upon being elected, Hunt intends to improve the parks, restore the pond, pump house and stage in Anisq’Oyo Park and promises to listen to what the students and community want in their parks.

My experiences in grass roots strategy and execution, business/project management, success-ful fundraising and event planning, proven leadership and work ethic make me a candidate who can bring value to recreation and parks. I am willing and able to contribute my time and e� orts to improve our park culture, such as providing bocci balls and frisbees, as well lead an e� ort to create an educational garden for Isla Vista residents who are interested in learning how to garden or take part in workshops for cooking fresh and a� ordable foods.

A political science major, Rodriguez is running to give back to the com-munity.

A UCSB graduate and Isla Vista resident for over 30 years, Soutar is running to cre-ate a more welcoming atmosphere at board meetings, work with other agencies to ac-cess grants and improve parks, ensure there is always a teen center for Isla Vista youth and strengthen the current organic policy.

A third-year political science major at UCSB, upon being elected Maghsodloo plans to get more students involved in de-cision making, reopen the Isla Vista skate park as well as host more community events and display more art in the local parks.

An undergraduate student at UCSB, upon being elected Renfro plans to found an educa-tional community garden and foster outdoor park culture within Isla Vista.

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� e Bottom Line | Nov. 1 - Nov. 6 page 3 | National Election Supplement

Local CandidatesWhy Should UCSB Students Vote for You?

{US Senate}{US Senate}Dianne Feinstein

Lois Capps

“Along with my good friend, Congresswoman Lois Capps, I voted to

double Pell Grants and cut interest rates by � � y percent

for student loans to make college more a� ordable and I urge all 11,300 registered UCSB students to vote.”

“I received a UCSB degree and my hus-band taught

here starting in 1963, so I un-derstand that

we need to make college more a� ord-able; that’s

why I voted to double Pell Grants and cut interest rates on federal

student loans in half.”

� e incumbent, Dianne Feinstein, is a well known moderate leader who has served in the U.S. Senate since 1992. She works to improve the economy, envi-ronment, education system and agriculture system in California by protecting endangered environments, improving funding for schools and the quality of edu-cation and working to improve health and the health care system. One of her bills ends legal discrimination against same-sex marriages and she consistently priori-tizes citizens’ safety regarding crime, national borders and drugs. Feinstein has been criticized for her age and lack of a new or progressive perspective in the Senate.

Capps works on a variety of issues in California but focuses this election on improving and preserving the environ-ment, job creation, public health policy, education and clean energy. She helped dra� Obamacare and continues to sup-

port it.

Emken is a strong advocate for a smaller, more � scally responsible gov-ernment. She is known as a cost-cut-ter as well as an autism activist. Also, Emken wishes to work to create jobs in California in addition to focusing on education and healthcare. Critics are wary of Emken due to her lack of

political experience.

Maldonado focuses on economic issues -- creat-ing jobs, keeping taxes low and avoiding excessive government spending. He also works to improve education and the safety of primary schools. He does not support Obamacare but is in favor of a

new health care reform.

Elizabeth Emken

Abel Maldonado

-could not be reached

for a comment

“� e stakes of this election couldn’t be any higher -- half of

college graduates can’t get jobs which means they can’t pay o� their student loans and end up living back at home

with their parents so if you think things in this country are

moving in the right direction for the future

you will inherit, then you should vote for the status quo, but if you think we need change and to move away from the tired politics of the past where party

bosses decide what happens and when, I hope you’ll give me a chance to go to Washington and to

try and make things better.”

Which United States Senate candidate are UCSB students who were polled voting

for in the November election?

Which United States House of Representatives candidate are UCSB students who were polled

voting for in the November election?

Who are UCSB students who were polled voting for in the

California State Senate race?

Which candidate are UCSB students who were polled voting for in the California State Assembly race?

Dianne Feinstein (Democrat)67.5%

Hannah-Beth Jackson92.3%

Mike Stoker7.7%

I’m not voting12.1%

Elizabeth Emken (Republican)

21.1%

Lois Capps(Democrat)

63.3%

Das Williams(Democrat)

58.8%

Rob Walter(Republican)

58.8%

Abel Maldonado(Republican)

23.5%



Other6.0%

Other3.6%

Photo Courtesy of | Dianne Feinstein

Photo Courtesy of | Mike Stoker

Photo Courtesy of | Lois CappsPhoto Courtesy of |Abel Maldonado

Photo Courtesy of | Das Williams

Photo Courtesy of | Rob Walters

Photo Courtesy of | Dianne Feinstein

Photo Courtesy of | Hannah-Beth Jackson

{State Senate}{State Senate}{State Senate}{State Senate}

{Assembly}{Assembly}

{Congress}{Congress}

Hannah-Beth Jackson

Das Williams

“I am the only candidate in this race who has taught at UCSB, who has

publicly and actively supported Prop 30, and who has a strong record

of � ghting for higher education to ensure our young people are able to

pursue their goals and dreams.”

“I came up with a way to fund the University and stop fee increases,

while my opponent is against any tax that would be necessary to increase an investment

in higher education and your future.”

Jackson is a former State Assemblymember whose key issues in-clude education, the environment and improving the local econ-omy. She works to make education more a� ordable at all levels, prevent the degradation of the environment and create jobs in California that promote a green economy. She has authored over sixty bills that were signed into law by both Democratic and Republican Governors regarding these kinds of issues and many more. Because of some criticism for raising taxes, Jackson has received the nickname ‘Taxin’ Jackson’ and has been accused

of not having enough concern for the economy.

Williams has worked to preserve the Central Coast, increase the use of renewable energy in California and strongly advocates for public funding for higher education and improving

the community.

Stoker plans to eliminate unnecessary spending within the state government in order to potentially avoid raising taxes and wants to work toward job creation in California and supports Governor Brown’s Pension Reform.

Walter wants to work toward having choices in education, creating non-government jobs, promoting business growth in California and cutting gov-ernmental spending on social services. He expresses very conservative views on social issues such as abortion and

gay marriage.

Mike Stoker

Rob Walter

-could not be

reached for a

comment

“I will bring common sense, a deeply

entrenched work-ethic

and � nancial discipline

to the most undisci-

plined state legislature in the country”

{State Senate}

{Assembly}Other6.7%

out of 166 votes

out of 166 votes

out of 166 votes

out of 26 votes

� e Bottom Line | Nov. 1 - Nov. 6 page 4 | National Election Supplement

Peace and Freedom PartyRoseanne Barr – PresidentCindy Sheehan – Vice President

Barr is running for president on a platform that is strongly anti-war, pro-marijuana legal-ization, against big banks and in favor of forgiving student loans.

Presidential Candidates Who Will Appear on � e California Ballot:

Democratic Party:Barack Obama – PresidentJoseph Biden – Vice President

President Barack Obama’s past four years have been marked by two Supreme Court ap-pointments, passing of universal healthcare, a repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and a public sup-port of same-sex marriage, among other things. His critics have continued to point out issues such as the lack of economic recovery, his continued support of unmanned drone strikes in the Middle East and staunch anti-immigrant administration policies.

� is year, Obama is running on a platform promising that he will invest in education and create jobs in the United States, reform the tax code to make millionaires and billionaires pay more, end the war in Afghanistan, invest in clean energy from the United States and expand health care access.

Republican Party:Willard Mitt Romney – PresidentPaul Ryan – Vice President

� e former governor of Massachusetts is challenging incumbent Obama, toting a plat-form that highlights a smaller government, a repeal of Obama’s health care law, economic growth, an increase in government spending on the military and a 5-point plan to increase job growth that includes energy independence, investing in education, opening new trade markets, reducing non-security spending and reducing taxes for small businesses.

Critics have pointed out his many ga� es, including a comment that 47 percent of vot-ers will automatically vote for Obama because of their dependency on government assistance, failed success during a tour abroad and his continued “� ip-� opping” on issues such as abortion and health care.

Green Party:Jill Stein – PresidentCheri Honkala – Vice President

Together, Stein and Honkala have authored the “Green New Deal,” a four-part deal that includes and economic bill of rights, giving people a right to employment, a green transition, investing in green business, real � nancial reform—through measures such as relieving the debt, breaking up large banks and ending taxpayer-funded bailouts — and creating a functioning de-mocracy by revoking corporate personhood and protecting citizens’ rights to vote.

Critics of Stein have pointed out that she lacks a way of articulating how she will grow the Green party or that her only way of providing services like free college education is to cut military spending.

America’s Party

Tom Hoe� ing – PresidentHoe� ing is running with the America’s Party, a party he helped found in 2008. He is run-

ning on the platform of “One NationUnder God,” promoting gun rights, one man-one woman marriage, defense of the constitution and anti-abortion policies.

Libertarian Party

Gary Johnson – PresidentJim Gray – Vice President

� e Governor of New Mexico, Gary Johnson, is running for president and is in favor of a more e� cient government, lower taxes, continuing the war of drugs and revitalizing the econo-my and promoting privatization.

Poll Results

National Election Information

The Democrats have raised $934 million and spent

$852.9 million, while the Republicans have raised

$881.8 million and spent $752.3 million this

campaign season, according to The New York Times.[ ]new RECORDS

Founded in 2001

Founded in 1971

Founded in 2008

Founded in 1967

Which presidential candidate are UCSB students who were

polled voting for in the November election?

Barack Obama (Democrat)

Mitt Romney (Republican)

� ird Party Candidate

Other

Not Voting

67.3%

24.4%

6.0%

1.8%

out of 166 votes

Documents

TBL National Election Supplement 2012