August 29, 2024
Golden State Republican Women
Janet Price, President
Submitted by the GSRW Legislative Analyst Committee
Valerie Evans, Lou Ann Flaherty and Elaine Freeman,
PROPOSITION 35
California Proposition 35, Managed Care Organization Tax Authorization Initiative
California Proposition 35, the Creation of New Healthcare Fund Initiative (#23-0024), is on the ballot in California as an initiated state statute on November 5, 2024.
| A “yes” vote supports permanently authorizing a tax on managed care organizations based on monthly enrollees, which is set to expire in 2026, and requiring revenues to be used for increased Medi-Cal programs. |
| A “no” vote opposes permanently authorizing a tax on managed care organizations based on monthly enrollees, thereby allowing it to expire in 2026. |
PROPOSITION 35 – Managed Care Organization Tax Authorization Initiative
The initiative would permanently establish the tax on managed care organizations (MCO). This tax is a charge on the number of monthly enrollees of an MCO. The initiative would require the proceeds of the MCO tax to cover a portion of the cost of the tax on Medi-Cal enrollment and administrative costs.
In 2025 and 2026 the remaining proceeds would be allocated to the Medi-Cal program and health workforce initiatives estimated $2.7 billion and to the general fund to offset Medi-Cal funding. Beginning in 2027 the initiative would allocate the remaining proceeds to Medi Cal program health care workforce initiatives, and subsidies for drug prices. The tax currently runs out in 2026.
A YES vote supports permanently authorizing a tax on managed care organizations based on monthly enrollees, which is set to expire in 2026 and requiring revenues to be used for increased Medi Cal programs.
A NO vote opposes permanently authorizing a tax on managed care organizations based on monthly enrollees, thereby allowing the tax to expire in 2026.
SUPPORTERS: The California Democratic Party, Republican Party of California, SEIU California State Council, California Hospital Association, and the California Medical Association.
OPPOSITION: At this time, there is no campaign in opposition that could be located.
PROPOSITION 36
California Proposition 36, Drug and Theft Crime Penalties and Treatment-Mandated Felonies Initiative
California Proposition 36, the Increase Drug and Theft Penalties and Reduce Homelessness Initiative (#23-0017), is on the ballot in California as an initiated state statute on November 5, 2024.
| A “yes” vote supports making changes to Proposition 47 approved in 2014, including:
· classifying certain drug offenses as treatment-mandated felonies; · increasing penalties for certain drug crimes by increasing sentence lengths and level of crime; · requiring courts to warn individuals convicted of distributing illegal drugs of their potential future criminal liability if they distribute deadly drugs like fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine; and · increasing sentences for theft based on the value of the property stolen. |
| A “no” vote opposes this initiative that makes changes to Proposition 47 (2014), thereby maintaining certain drug and theft crimes as misdemeanors. |
The initiative would increase penalties for certain drug crimes by increasing sentence lengths and level of crime.
The initiative would also add fentanyl to the list of drugs (cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine) that would warrant a felony charge if an individual possesses one of the listed drugs and a loaded firearm. The punishment for this crime is up to four years in prison. Currently, possessing fentanyl and a loaded firearm is punishable by up to one year in jail.
The initiative would also increase sentences based on the quantity of certain drugs sold illegally. The initiative would also require individuals who receive increased sentences because of this to serve their entire sentence in state prison regardless of their criminal history.[1]
The initiative would increase penalties for certain theft crimes. For crimes where money or property worth $950 or less is stolen, the initiative would make the crime punishable as a felony for individuals who have two or more prior theft-related convictions. The initiative would make the punishment up to three years in jail or prison depending on their criminal history. Currently, it is punishable by up to six months in jail. The initiative would also increase sentences based on the amount of property stolen.
SUPPORTERS:
Political Parties
- Republican Party of California
Corporations
- Target
- Walgreens
- Walmart, Inc.
Unions
- California District Attorneys Association
- California Police Chiefs Association
- California Retailers Association
- California State Sheriffs’ Association
Organizations
- American Petroleum and Convenience Store Association
- California Business Roundtable
- California Correctional Peace Officers Association
- California Grocers Association
OPPOSITION:
Opponents
Officials
- Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D)
Political Parties
- California Democratic Party
Organizations
- ACLU of Northern California
- Action for Safety and Justice
- Anti-Recidivism Coalition
- Civil Rights Corps
- Disability Rights California
We have now covered all ten Propositions in August Capitol Updates.
For further knowledge or information visit:
https://ballotpedia.org/California_2024_ballot_propositions
Legislative Portal links – Express your support or opposition to a bill or directly to the Legislative committee currently reviewing it (as an individual, not as a member of RW or GSRW) – click here, or the bill’s author – click here, enter your bill # and look for tab at top of the bill page labeled “Comments to Author”.
