Community News' Election Endorsements for November 5th

California voters are gearing up for the November 2024 elections, with a variety of propositions and local races on the ballot. Here's a rundown of some key issues and candidates to watch.

In a move to boost minimum wages, Proposition 32 raises the minimum wage from $16.50 to $18 an hour, effective January 2025. Meanwhile, Proposition 2 is a $10-billion bond aimed at improving the condition of California's public schools and community colleges.

On the political front, Adam B. Schiff is running for the U.S. Senate, while Derek Tran and Dave Min are vying for the 45th and 47th Congressional Districts, respectively.

In the realm of local politics, several cities are hosting elections. In Norwalk, Rick Ramirez, Margarita Rios, and Ana Valencia are running for City Council. In Montebello, Joellaann "Joella" Valdez is a candidate, while in Pico Rivera, Andrew C. Lara, Erik Lutz, and Dr. Monica Sanchez are in the running. Victor Farfan and Ernie Vargas are contenders for City Council in Hawaiian Gardens.

In the race for City Council in La Mirada, Chris Pflanzer is a candidate, and in Bellflower, Dan Koops and Wendi Morse are running. Artesia's City Council race features Monica Manalo and Ahir Zeel, while in Commerce, Hugo Argumedo and Oralia Rebollo are in the running. The Santa Fe Springs City Council races are yet to be specified.

Several measures are also on the ballot. Proposition 3 affirms that bigotry toward same-sex couples has no place in California. Proposition 34 is a special interests bill, while Proposition 35 is a tax on managed-care organizations. Proposition 33 does not restrict local government's ability to expand rent control but prohibits the state from imposing limits on rent controls set by cities and counties.

Proposition 4 is a $10-billion bond for infrastructure and fire-fighting in California, and Proposition 5 lowers the threshold to pass local bond measures to 55%. Proposition 6 stops prisons from forcing prisoners to work and allows them to access educational opportunities. However, Proposition 36, despite its promise to address homelessness and criminal justice reforms, has been criticised for steering more people into drug treatment while cutting critical funding for these programs.

In addition, Measure A, E, and G are LA County measures related to homelessness services, emergency response, and government structure, ethics, and accountability, respectively. Artesia I is a special interest bill by the Ready-Mix Concrete company to avoid noise regulations for its plant in Artesia. Measure SFS in Santa Fe Springs is a parcel tax measure that raises $6 million annually for road repairs, does not affect homeowners or renters, and has an independent oversight committee and annual audits.

Lastly, the Water Replenishment District has Rob Katherman (District 2), Vera Robles DeWitt (District 5) as candidates, and the Central Basin Water District has Leticia Vasquez-Wilson (District 1), Max A. Ordonez (District 2), Dora Sandoval (District 4) as candidates.

With these propositions and local races, California voters have a lot to consider come November 2024. The results will shape the future of the state in various ways, from minimum wage to education, politics, and infrastructure.