Hillary, Trump and Bernie aren’t the only ones worth keeping an eye on today. There are more than 160 ballot initiatives and scores of politicians facing off across California during the June 7 primary. Here are just a few worth mentioning:
The minimum wage wars are in full swing in San Diego. A wage increase ordinance vetoed by the mayor in 2014 could soon make a comeback. If Measure I passes, the city’s minimum wage would jump to $11.50 per hour by January 2017. It also provides for up to 5 earned sick days for most employees.
On the San Diego City Council, five of the nine seats are up for grabs and Mayor Kevin Faulconer is seeking his first full-term. There is also a race on for the District 3 county supervisor seat, with embattled incumbent Dave Roberts facing a challenge from Escondido Mayor Sam Abed and Encinitas Mayor Kristin Gaspar.
In LA, the entire Torrance council is up and an interesting runoff in Long Beach where two are vyng to replace Suja Lowenthal on the city council. LBC also seeks a one cent hike in it's sales tax.
Now let’s hop over to the Bay Area, where exorbitant rents and housing prices continue to be a hot button issue. San Francisco’s Proposition C would attempt to mitigate the problem by requiring landlords to set aside 25% of units in new complexes for low-income residents—more than double the current requirement of 12%. But it is ingenious or extreme? You be the judge.
Concerns over police conduct are also taking front and center on the ballot there. In the wake of multiple police shootings and the forced resignation of the city’s police chief, Proposition D would require San Francisco’s civilian police review agency to investigate every time there is a police-involved shooting.
Measure C and Measure D are both expected to pass.
And that brings us to marijuana, which continues to be a major issue ahead of a probable statewide ballot measure for full legalization in the fall.
In San Jose, voters will decide whether to allow cannabis clubs and dispensaries to operate in parts of the city where they’re currently prohibited. But here’s the kicker: The measure’s author recently told voters not to vote for it, saying it’s no longer necessary or even a good idea.
Also on the herbal front are three cities considering marijuana business tax measures: Alturas, Sacramento and Davis.
$6 million in school construction bonds are at stake tomorrow as well, along with a push to repeal a city tax on electricity, water and gas rates in Glendale. You can learn more about those here.
Finally, for a run-down of the top legislative races to watch, click here.