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2008 Election Information

• 2008 ASSEMBLY ENDORSEMENTS
• 2008 SENATE ENDORSEMENTS
• 2008 BALLOT PROPOSITIONS

ASSEMBLY ENDORSEMENTS

The 30th and 80th Assembly Districts encompass a vast area of the state, including several cities that are home to 11 correctional institutions, and two parole regions. The 30th AD spans three large counties: Fresno County, Kern County, and Kings County. The 80th AD covers several cities in Imperial County and Riverside County, from Indio to El Centro.

The candidates CCPOA chose to endorse for these two districts understand our issues and have a genuine respect for the profession and our members. Fran Florez (30th Assembly District) and Gary Jeandron (80th Assembly District) will stand up for our rights - as peace officers and state employees.

Jeandron is a former police chief with 30 years of law enforcement experience. Florez has a long record of service within the community, on the City Council, the Chamber of Commerce, and two mayoral terms. Both Florez and Jeandron recognize the important role public safety officers play in keeping communities safe.

Peace officers statewide support Fran Florez and Gary Jeandron. CCPOA does too. We urge the membership to choose Florez and Jeandron, in the name of public safety.

SENATE ENDORSEMENTS

PROPOSITION ENDORSEMENTS

• PROP. 5 - NO
  Nonviolent Drug Offenses; Sentencing, Parole and Rehabilitation.
  
  If passed, this ballot initiative, which opponents are calling the Drug Dealers' Bill of Rights, would shorten parole for methamphetamine dealers from three years to six months. A loophole would allow defendants accused of child abuse, domestic violence, vehicular manslaughter, and other crimes to effectively escape prosecution and incarceration by entering drug treatment programs instead. If passed, Prop. 5 would reduce accountability, and could dramatically increase local costs and taxes. Those strongly opposed include Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Crime Victims United, California Police Chiefs Association, Attorney General Jerry Brown, and the California State Sheriff's Association.
  CCPOA urges a NO vote.
  
  
• PROP. 6 - YES
  Police and Law Enforcement Funding; Criminal Penalties and Laws.
  
  Prop. 6, the Safe Neighborhoods Act, is a comprehensive anti-gang and crime reduction measure that would create tougher punishment for gang crimes, drive-by shootings, meth distribution, and victim intimidation; would create more effective and accountable intervention programs to stop young kids from joining gangs; and would ensure more funding for local police, sheriff, district attorneys, and probation officers who are the first line of defense in fighting gangs and keeping the peace in our neighborhoods. The list of Prop. 6 supporters is quite long and includes more than 30 law enforcement organizations and more than 160 California sheriffs, police chiefs, and other law enforcement officials.
  CCPOA urges a YES vote.
  
  
• PROP. 9 - YES
  The 2008 Crime Victims' Bill of Rights Act
  
  Currently, the Constitution sets forth many rights for those accused of crimes and those convicted of crimes, but crime victims do not have similar constitutional protections. If passed, Prop. 9 would guarantee victims receive the same rights to justice and due process that are already afforded offenders. In part, Prop. 9 would ensure every convicted criminal who has caused a loss must pay restitution to the victim, and judges would have to take into consideration the safety of the victim and his/her family when deciding bail or parole. In addition, Prop. 9 would streamline the parole system, and change the state Constitution to prevent politicians from releasing dangerous inmates to alleviate prison overcrowding. Prop. 9 is endorsed by many victims' rights groups, such as Justice for Homicide Victims, Justice for Murdered Children, Parents of Murdered Children, and Crime Victims United, as well as the 1.2 million Californians - Democrats and Republicans - who put the initiative on the ballot.
  CCPOA urges a YES vote.
  
  
• PROP. 11 - NO
  Redistricting Initiative; Constitutional Amendment
  
  Opponents of Prop. 11 call this initiative "costly, confusing and complicated," and a "political shell game." If passed, Prop. 11 would take the authority for establishing legislative district boundaries from elected representatives and give it to a citizens' commission -- a 14-member panel that would be hard pressed to fairly represent all of California's 58 counties -- especially if politicians are allowed to hand pick their friends and cronies for the commission. Opponents of Prop. 11 are many and varied, including Asian, African American, Latino, Irish American, and women's political groups, United Farm Workers, the California Labor Federation, teachers, law enforcement, and firefighters.
  CCPOA urges a NO vote.
  
  
• PROP. 12 - YES
  Veterans' Bond Act of 2008
  
  If passed, Prop. 12 would authorize $900 million in bonds to replenish the 87-year-old veterans' home loan program that provides low-interest loans to California veterans. Over the years, voters have approved all 26 previous bond measures to further fund the program. This time-honored Cal-Vet Home Loan Program helps veterans to purchase homes in California -- at no cost to taxpayers. The Legislature voted unanimously to place Prop. 12 on the ballot.
  CCPOA urges a YES vote.
  
  

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