Last week, the RCRC Board of Directors took a support position on Proposition 1, the Water Quality, Supply and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014, and an oppose position on Proposition 47, the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act.
Prop 1 (Water Bond) would authorize the issuance of bonds in the amount of $7.120 billion, and the reallocation of $425 million of unissued bonds. State funding for the public benefits of storage is vital to storage project feasibility and rural counties. If approved by voters, Prop 1 would be the first water bond passed by voters since 1996 with allocated funding for water storage, set at $2.7 billion. Given the allocation for water storage, and funding for numerous other vital water-related programs, the RCRC Board of Directors voted unanimously to take a support position.
Given that Proposition 47 represents another significant change in the county corrections process so quickly following the enactment of Assembly Bill 109 (the criminal justice realignment law), the RCRC Board of Directors voted to take an oppose position. Proposition 47, the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act, would reduce penalties for a variety of specified offenses, and dedicate the 'savings' from prosecuting and housing these offenders to programs that support K-12 schools, victim services, mental health, and drug treatment. While some aspects of this measure appear beneficial, there are other impacts to counties' criminal justice system that give rural counties much concern.
In addition to Props 1 and 47, the RCRC Board of Directors previously took positions on two other ballot measures this year, including a support position on Prop 2, commonly known as California’s Rainy Day fund, and an oppose position on Prop 46, the trial lawyer sponsored measure to alter the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA).