Voting for candidates that are transparent in the way they ensure the protection of the community’s interests, make agreements, etc. Whoever you choose will determine your future.
Water Conservation
In the fourth year of California’s severe drought, water conservation is a major issue for Angelenos. Multiple emergency regulations have been put into place by the State Water Resources Control Board to restrict water usage, particularly in urban areas. Of note, three bills (SB 1168, SB 1319, and AB 1739) were passed in 2014 with the purpose of achieving sustainable groundwater management. In addition, the California State Water Board approved more emergency drought regulations in May 2015 to cut water use in urban areas by 25%.
Last month the state Senate voted to increase California’s minimum wage from $9 to $13 an hour by 2017. On July 21st, 2015, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to raise the minimum wage to $15, incrementally, over the next five years. Immediately after the L.A. county’s decision, UC President Janet Napolitano, agreed to increase the minimum wage as well. Governor Jerry Brown’s finance department came out with an opposition to the bill, believing it will hurt the state’s overall economy. The $15 per Hour Minimum Wage Initiative may be on the ballot for Los Angeles County voters in 2015.
To deal with major budget deficits, California cut major spending towards state institutions. Concurrently, the University of California school system faced large deficits, which resulted in its decision to pass a tuition hike. California voters strongly oppose the unaffordable college prices, but Governor Brown recently agreed to prevent the tuition increases.
With
the passage of Proposition 215 in 1996, California became the first of
the fifty states to legalize the use of medical marijuana.
Subsequently, the Institute of Medicine released a report in 1999 that
stated, “Scientific data indicate the potential therapeutic value of
cannabinoid drugs, primarily THC, for pain relief, control of nausea
and vomiting, and appetite stimulation; smoked marijuana, however, is a
crude THC delivery system that also delivers harmful substances.” The
legalization of recreational marijuana may be an emerging issue in
2016.