This is the first of two stories on the positions the Sunnyvale City Council has taken on state and county initiatives.
By KATHERINE PETERSEN
The Sunnyvale City Council voted to support, oppose or take no position on all 15 state propositions and four countywide measures up for voter approval Nov. 5. The City Council generally takes policy positions on state and county ballot measures in advance of the election.
Councilmember Stan Kawczynski questioned the council's policy of taking positions in the first place and asked that the matter be considered at its legislative workshop in December.
"I think it's inappropriate for us to make recommendations when we have special interests. We carry party opinions to the table, even though it's a nonpartisan council. I don't think we're being objective. I don't think it's fair for me to disclose my secret ballot and tell the whole world how I'm going to vote," he said.
The council took no position on 10 measures, opposed three and supported two.
Prop. 204--No Position. The Safe, Clean, Reliable Water Supply Act provides for a bond issue of $995 million to ensure safe drinking water, increase water supplies, clean up pollution and protect fish and wildlife at a cost of $1.7 billion over 25 years, including interest. The City Council has become wary of state bond issues and their potential impacts on the state's ability to balance its budget, which, in turn, could affect local revenue.
Prop. 205--No position. The Youthful and Adult Offender Local Facilities Bond Act of 1996 provides for a bond issue of $700 million to construct, renovate, remodel and replace local juvenile and adult correctional facilities at a cost of $1.25 billion over 25 years, including interest.
Prop. 206--No position. The Veterans' Bond Act of 1996 provides for a bond issue of $400 million to provide loans to veterans for the purchase of farms or homes at a cost of $700 million over 25 years, which will be offset by payments from participating veterans.
Prop. 207--Oppose. This proposition would prohibit attorneys from charging excessive fees and authorize the court to impose sanctions for filing frivolous lawsuits. Advocates say the proposition punishes bad lawyers without taking away consumers' contingency-fee protections. Opponents say that Proposition 207 will damage consumers and seniors.
Prop. 208--Support. This act limits campaign contributions to $500 for statewide elections, $250 for large districts and $100 for smaller districts. The act also prohibits lobbyist contributions. The state and local governments could be hit with costs of up to $4 million annually for implementation and enforcement. Supporters of Proposition 208, including the League of Women Voters, say it will get big money out of politics, making politicians accountable to the voters.
Prop. 209--Oppose. Prohibition Against Discrimination or Preferential Treatment by State and Other Public Entities. This act generally prohibits discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in public employment, education and contracting. Sunnyvale has no preferential policies that would be eliminated by this act. Sunnyvale supports affirmative action activities to increase employment opportunities for minorities, women and the disabled in local government.
Prop. 210--No position. This measure would raise the state minimum wage for all industries to $5 per hour on March 1, 1997, and to $5.75 per hour on March 1, 1998. Opponents say such an increase will make California's minimum wage higher than the federal level and any other state.
Prop. 211--Oppose. Attorney-Client Fee Arrangements. Securities Fraud Lawsuits. This proposition prohibits restrictions on attorney-client fee arrangements, except as allowed by laws existing on Jan. 1, 1995. It also prohibits deceptive conduct by any person in securities transactions resulting in loss to retirement funds and savings, and imposes civil liability and punitive damages. Supporters say that Proposition 211 punishes white-collar cheaters who knowingly or recklessly defraud people out of their pensions or retirement savings. Opponents say the proposition is a hoax that will prohibit limits on lawyer fees and encourage frivolous lawsuits that clog courts, damage business and stall medical research.
Prop. 212--Support. Proposition 212 repeals gift/honoraria limits and limits contributions to $200 in state campaigns and $100 in other campaigns. It also imposes spending limits and prohibits lobbyist contributions. The proposition could cost up to $4 million at the state and local level for implementation and enforcement. It will also increase state revenues about $6 million by eliminating tax deductions for lobbying.
Prop. 213--No position. Limitation on Recovery to Felons, Uninsured Motorists, Drunk Drivers. This proposition denies recovery of all damages to convicted felons for crime-related injury. It denies recovery of damages such as pain and suffering to drunk drivers, if convicted, and most uninsured motorists. Opponents say the insurance lobby's newest no-fault scheme rewards reckless drivers who hit innocent poor people.
Prop. 214--No Position. Health Care, Consumer Protection. Proposition 214 regulates health-care businesses. It prohibits discouraging health-care professionals from informing patients or advocating treatment, and requires health-care businesses to establish criteria for payments and facility staffing. The proposition may increase state and local government costs for existing health programs and benefits, perhaps in the tens to hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Supporters contend that this proposition will protect freedom of speech between patients and doctors, and patients' right to the care that their health insurance has already covered. But opponents consider this proposition to be bogus health-care reform. They say it will increase health insurance by up to 15 percent, cost taxpayers hundreds of millions and help trial lawyers file more frivolous lawsuits.
This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, October 23, 1996.
©1996 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.