News Net Recommendations on Ballot Initiatives

This editorial is the opinion of Bill Coburn, publisher of Sierra Madre News Net and 15 year Sierra Madre resident. It is not intended to reflect the views of any other person or entity with whom I am associated.
Prop. 13 - LIMITS ON PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT. SEISMIC RETROFITTING OF EXISTING BUILDINGS. LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT - Support. Seems like a good way to encourage building owners to retrofit buildings that are in need of seismic upgrades.
Prop. 14 - ELECTIONS. INCREASES RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN PRIMARY ELECTIONS. Support. Hopefully, this will increase voter participation, which is lacking.
Prop. 15 - CALIFORNIA FAIR ELECTIONS ACT Support. I like the idea of taking politicians out of the constant fundraising cycle. This pilot program might lead to more extensive voluntary public funding, reducing the need for our elected officials to leave their work in Sacramento to hit the fundraising trail.
Prop. 16 - IMPOSES NEW TWO-THIRDS VOTER APPROVAL REQUIREMENT FOR LOCAL PUBLIC ELECTRICITY PROVIDERS. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT Oppose. Cal Chamber got this one wrong. This is just an attempt at a monopoly grab by PG & E. If a City wants to create its own utility, it should be able to based on the votes of the elected officials, who were put in office by the residents to represent them.
Prop. 17 - ALLOWS AUTO INSURANCE COMPANIES TO BASE THEIR PRICES IN PART ON A DRIVER'S HISTORY OF INSURANCE COVERAGE. INITIATIVE STATUTE Oppose. If the insurance companies are behind it as much as Mercury is behind this one, I'm thinking it's probably in THEIR best interests, not mine.