August Newsletter

Aug 01 2018 08/01/2018 08/03/2018 by admin

August Newsletter

August Newsletter: 2018 Ballot Propositions, Updates, and Upcoming Events

Dear Residents & Friends of Artesia —

This past month, I had the pleasure of traveling to the California League of the Cities representing our great city of Artesia on the statewide board. At the meeting we discussed the different propositions that will be on the November 2018 ballot.

One of the important Propositions that was recently passed is Proposition 68 which is connected to the League of California Cities support of SB 1. The connection between the two is that SB 1 acquires funds from the CA gas tax which is then allocated to different cities in the State. This becomes problematic when funds are placed in a general fund. Proposition 68 would transmute the gas tax revenue acquired for SB 1 to solely be used for infrastructure which means better buildings and safer roads.

On a different note, I would like to share that the measure to break California into 3 states has been removed from the November Ballot after court ruling.

In addition, I have also included updates to our last newsletter, checking in with the most recent developments to keep residents informed.

In Solidarity,

Ali Taj

November Ballot Propositions Explained

Prop. 1 Affordable Housing and Home-Purchase Assistance for Veterans

Prop 1 would authorize the sale of $4 billion in bonds to finance existing housing programs, as well as infrastructure grants to match local housing funds for repairs and improvements. One-quarter of the $4 billion bond would go toward helping veterans purchase homes.

Prop. 2 Using Mental Health Dollars for Low-Income Housing

Prop. 2 would authorize the state to use mental health funds from the Mental Health Services Act for permanent supportive housing up to $2 billion. The Mental Health Services Act was approved by voters in 2004, instituting a tax on incomes over a million dollars.

Prop 3. Bonds for Safe Drinking Water and Infrastructure

Prop 3. Would authorize an $8 billion bond for water infrastructure, with a majority of revenue going toward safe drinking water and watershed projects. The proposition would also prioritize disadvantaged communities.

Prop. 4 Bonds for Children’s Hospital

Prop. 4 would authorize a $1.5 billion bond to build, expand, and renovate children’s hospitals, including public and private nonprofit hospitals, and the University of California’s acute care children’s clinics.

Prop. 5 Property Tax Relief to Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons

Prop. 5 would grant property tax relief to property owners who are over the age of 55 years old or severely disabled. The measure would allow them to transfer their tax rate to a replacement property of equal or lesser value or when the property is unlivable, due to natural disasters or caused by environmentally toxic hazards.

Prop. 6 Repealing Gas Tax (SB 1) (Contract Cities Opposes)

Prop. 6 would repeal the recent gas tax increase that is currently used to repair roads and improvements of local streets and state highways.

Prop. 7 Daylight Savings Time

Prop. 7 would authorize the legislature to determine how the state’s time should be set, repealing a 1949 proposition that mandated Daylight savings.

Prop. 8 Relates to Dialysis Regulation and Revenue

Prop. 8 would place new regulations related to Dialysis clinics, including a cap on outpatient charges for dialysis. The proposition also requires dialysis outpatient clinics to submit financial information to the state.

Prop. 9 Splitting California into Three States

Prop. 9 would split California into three states: California, Southern California, and Northern California. This initiative is funded by backers previously pushing an initiative to divide the state into six states. If passed, the measure would need congressional approval.

Prop. 10 Allow Cities to Enact Rent Control

Prop. 10 would repeal the Costa Hawkins Rental Housing Act, enabling local governments to enact new rent control measures on residential dwellings built after February 1995.

Prop. 11 Emergency Ambulance

Prop. 11 would require private emergency ambulance companies to remain on call during work breaks, in the event of an emergency.

Prop. 12 Cage Free Animals

Prop. 12 would ban the sale of meat from animals that were confined in cages. The measure expands on a similar cage-free proposition passed by voters in 2008 but would include specific square footage requirements and adds breeding pigs and calves raised for veal to the animal list.

Updates

Blood Drive:

I had the pleasure of participating in the blood drive. This was in partnership with the Holy Family Catholic Church Artesia and the City of Artesia.

4th Of July Celebration:

It was a great turnout for the July 4th morning parade and fireworks in the evening.

Artesia Trees Receive Arbor Care: UPDATE

We have the pleasure to share that Artesia has now completed District 3 (Pioneer Blvd.) which brings up the total to 3 Districts being completed while District 4 will be commencing by the end of this month.

Funds Allocated to Reconstruct Norwalk Blvd: UPDATE

Previously, it was stated that The Council and I were successful in allocating funds necessary to commence the reconstruction of Norwalk & Pioneer Blvd’s and that we were moving on to the planning stage of this project. Construction is set to begin in September.