The Capistrano Dispatch

As part of The Dispatch’s ongoing coverage leading up to the Nov. 4 election, we have compiled this special section dedicated to providing the community with a connection to the candidates seeking election in local races.

In this section, you will find candidates’ ballot statements and answers to the direct and important question: Why should San Juan Capistrano residents vote for you?

It is our hope that in this culmination of our series, we have compiled a source of information that will help crystallize your decisions before Election Day.

Click on the cover image above to see the section in its entirety.

Read on below for even more information, including ballot propositions and higher office elections on San Juan voters’ ballots.

State and Federal Positions Up for Vote

By Jim Shilander

This year Californians have the opportunity to vote for the state’s highest offices, and South County voters will again have the opportunity to vote in the 49th Congressional District race.

Gov. Jerry Brown (D) is running for a second term, for a second time, after first serving as the state’s top executive from 1975 to 1983 and being elected for a third, non-consecutive, term in 2010. He is opposed by Neel Kashkari, (R), a former Treasury Department official best known for running the Troubled Asset Relief Program in 2008 and 2009, before taking a position at Pimco. He left in 2013 to pursue the governor’s office.

Voters are also choosing Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Treasurer, Controller, Insurance Commissioner and Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Current State Assemblywoman Diane Harkey, (R), of Dana Point is also running for a seat on the state Board of Equalization against Democrat Nader Shahatit in the fourth district. That board is charged with administering all tax and fee collection in the state and is divided into four districts statewide, and the addition of the state controller. All of Orange, Imperial, Riverside and San Diego counties and a portion of San Bernardino County are located within the third district.

Republican Congressman Darrell Issa is running for reelection against Democrat David Peiser. Issa is the Chairman of the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee. Peiser is a local business owner and 25-year resident of the district. South Orange County joined Issa’s district in 2012 after previously being represented by Ken Calvert.

Propositions Cover Diverse Issues

Water bond, sentencing and malpractice limit amongst the choices being made by voters

By Jim Shilander

California voters usually see a number of state measures and propositions at every election and 2014 is no different.

This year’s statewide measures include proposals effecting medical malpractice law, potential expansion of gambling and drug sentencing, as well as state initiatives aiming to rebuild California’s water infrastructure and a potential state Constitutional amendment that would mandate the state paying into a budget stabilization account.

Proposition 1: With the state in the midst of a drought, this proposal calls for more than $7 billion in water infrastructure projects through bonds, as well as watershed protections. The measure is backed by both the state Republican and Democratic parties after being delayed by two election cycles (a water bond was supposed to go before voters in 2010 and 2012). Opponents say the measure focuses too much on dam building rather than local infrastructure.

Proposition 2: Creates a “rainy day fund” for the state during budgeting and requires an annual transfer of funds from the state’s general fund into the account to avoid or lessen the impact of future budget crises. Local school districts would not receive the same levels of funding they currently do from the state.

Proposition 45: Would give the state’s Insurance Commissioner authority to reject changes to health insurance company rates, though it exempts large group insurance plans. The decision would be subject to judicial review. Opponents say this vests too much authority in the office.

Proposition 46: Increases the state’s medical malpractice pain and suffering cap from $250,000 to more than $1 million and requires random drug and alcohol screenings of doctors, with positive tests reported to the state medical board. It would also create a statewide prescription database. Proponents argue that the state has not raised the malpractice cap since the 1970s. Opponents argue the move could drive doctors from the state due to higher costs and that random screenings of doctors would not provide protection for patients.

Proposition 47: Changes certain nonviolent drug and property felony offenses to misdemeanors unless the offender had previous violent offenses and would allow for the resentencing of those currently in prison. A “Safe Neighborhoods and Schools” fund would be created with savings from the implementation.

Proposition 48: Allows for agreements with two Native American tribes to build and operate a casino in the Central Valley, off of tribal reservations.