As we prepare for a new presidency, here’s the biggest propositions voted on in California and the issues our 47th president plans to tackle.
Election day was Nov. 5, and Americans all over the country exercised their right to vote for a new president. Current Vice President Kamala Harris ran with support from the Democratic Party winning 47.7% of the votes. Her opponent, Former President Donald Trump ran with support from the Republican Party winning 50.7% of votes earning himself another presidential term, according to the Associated Press.
Throughout the election season, numerous issues were discussed such as abortion, education, climate change, immigration, guns and LGBTQ rights. As Trump prepares to take office for his second term, here’s how he wished to proceed.
Trump’s stance on abortion supports states’ rights on abortion. This would give states the decision to vote on whether or not they would ban or allow abortions and to what point in the pregnancy would they still be legal. The 45th president has also taken credit for the overturn of Roe v. Wade.
Education was another matter mentioned. Trump stands on the opposing side of student-debt forgiveness and has mentioned cutting billions of dollars in funding the Department of Education, eventually cutting the department in all. This would cut the FAFSA program and Pell Grant students get for higher education.
Climate change has been a huge topic of discussion and was discussed throughout his campaign. Trump stands on the opposing side for renewable energy and supports fossil fuel.
Firearms are another topic Trump has been vocal on and rejects the restrictions firearm owners have. He’s also promised to get rid of all of President Joe Biden’s laws on firearms saying “Every single Biden attack on gun owners and manufacturers will be terminated on my very first week back in office, perhaps my first day.”
Immigration was another major tactic for his first term and has plans to add to that plan by structuring immigration measures. As for those already in the country illegally, he and the republican party have promised mass deportations and aspire to have the “largest deportation in the history of our country.” Finally, Trump has been most vocal on LGBTQ rights and stands on the opposing side for gender transition care for youth.
There were also 10 propositions on the ballot Californians voted for that needed around 60% of votes or higher to pass. The following statistics come from CalMatters, which were counted by AP.
Voting “Yes” on Proposition 2 “would authorize the state to borrow $8.5 billion for K-12 schools and $1.5 billion for community colleges for construction.” This prop was passed with 57% of California’s voting yes.
Voting “Yes” on Proposition 3 would “remove outdated language from Proposition 8, passed by voters in 2008, that characterizes marriage as only between a man and a woman.” This proposition passed with 61.3% of voters affirming the prop.
Proposition 4 has to do with climate change and would allow the state of California to borrow “$3.8 billion for drinking water and groundwater programs, $1.5 billion for wildfire and forest programs and $1.2 billion for sea level rise. In part, the money would offset some budget cuts.” 58.1% of voters voted yes on prop 4.
Voting “Yes” on Proposition 5 “would make it easier for local governments to borrow money for affordable housing and some other public infrastructure projects by lowering the voter approval requirement from two-thirds to 55%.” This proposition failed to get voters to say “yes” with 56.2% voting against it.
Proposition 6 would affect prisoners. Voting “Yes” on Prop 6 means the “end indentured servitude in state prisons, considered one of the last remnants of slavery. The California Black Legislative Caucus included the proposal in its reparations agenda.” This proposition has yet to be called with 55% of votes counted. There’s a 54.7% leaning no with 45.3% of voters saying yes.
Proposition 32 would raise the state minimum wage to $18, however certain jobs get certain specific wage raises. The overall minimum wage from $16 an hour was to adjust to the massive inflation. Fast food workers received a $20 an hour wage raise effective Apr. 1 and health care workers are expected to receive $25 an hour effective Oct. 15. This prop also has not been called however, “No” votes having a 3.8% lead.
Proposition 33 would allow cities to “control rents on any type of housing – including single-family homes and new apartments, and for new tenants.” This proposition failed to be passed, getting 61.4% of residents to vote “no.”
Proposition 34 means that “certain health care entities would have to follow new rules about how they spend revenue they earn from a federal drug discount program. Breaking these rules would result in penalties (such as not being able to operate as a health care entity), generally for a ten-year period.” This proposition has also not been called by AP. This race is close, getting 51.4% of voters to say yes and 48.6% to vote against.
Proposition 35 would raise more money for Medi-Cal and block lawmakers from using the cash to avoid cuts to other programs. The tax is set to expire in 2026. This prop was passed with 66.8% of voters saying yes.
Finally, Proposition 36 would partly reverse Proposition 47. Prop 47 is where some felonies would be turned into misdemeanors. This prop would focus more on theft and drug trafficking. 70.2% of voters said yes, passing proposition 36.