California special election: What you need to know

Polling place changes for special election

Today, Tuesday, May 19, 2009, is Election Day in California. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

In an effort to lower the cost of the California special election, many polling places have been consolidated, or changed to Vote by Mail. If voters have been moved to a Vote by Mail precinct, they will receive a ballot in the mail, which were sent the week of April 20. Otherwise, check the back of the Voter Information Guide to find the correct polling place. Voters can also check their polling place on the El Dorado County Elections Web site, www.co.el-dorado.ca.us/elections.

The polling locations below will be closed for the election. If voters have voted at one of the following polling locations listed below, the precinct has been changed to a mail ballot precinct or consolidated with another precinct.

Closed polling places:

Tahoe Keys Property Owners Association

Lake Valley Fire Station at Golden Bear

Lake Valley Fire Station at Keetak

Combined polling places

Listed below are the polling places that have been closed and combined with another polling place for this election.

Closed Polling Place / New Polling Place

Lake Tahoe Comm. College B / Lake Tahoe Comm. College A, 1 College Drive

Tahoe Valley Townhomes / Tahoe Verde Mobile Park, 1080 Julie Lane

South Lake Tahoe Library / Lake Tahoe Christian Fellowship B, 3580 Blackwood Road

Proposition Breakdown

Proposition 1A: State budget

The proposition would put more money into the state budget reserve and place limits on how it can be spent. The reserve target would be raised to 12.5 percent of the General Fund, compared to the current 5 percent. Some reserve money would be used each year to pay off state debt, to build infrastructure, or for education payments if Proposition 1B passes. The reserve could also be used in two other situations: emergencies, such as earthquakes or fires; or when state revenue declines, or does not keep up with inflation and population increases.

The temporary tax increases from the February 2009 budget agreement would also be extended for one or two more years. Extra revenue could be used to increase the reserve fund, pay off state debt and make one-time investments in infrastructure. It could not be used to increase state spending for ongoing programs.

Proposition 1B: Public Education Funding

Prop 1B sets a pay-back amount due to K-12 schools and community colleges, and Prop 1A provides the money to make those payments. Prop 1A requires 1.5 percent of General Fund revenue to be used for Prop 1B payments to schools. The state would be required to pay the $9.3 billion defined by Prop 1B only if both Prop 1A and Prop 1B pass.

Payments would start in 2011 and continue five to six years until the full $9.3 billion is paid. The state would not be required to pay the $9.3 billion if voters turn down Prop 1A.

Proposition 1C: California State Lottery

Lottery profits would stop going to education, and the state would borrow $5 billion from future profits. Lottery prizes could exceed 50 percent of ticket sales, and expenses would be limited to 13 percent, versus the current 16 percent. Current lottery payments to education would be replaced by the same level of support from the state General Fund.

Proposition 1D: Transfer of Child Development Funds

Transfer some First 5 funds to replace General Fund spending on state programs for children up to age 5 such as foster care, health care, pre-school and child care. Currently the First 5 Commission controls the funds, but the transfer would put the state in charge.

Up to $340 million from unspent First 5 funds would be transferred in 2009-10. Another $268 million in tobacco taxes would be transferred each year for the next five years.

Proposition 1E: Transfer of Mental Health Funds

Transfer some Prop 63 funds — which are from a 1 percent tax on personal income more than $1 million to fund new mental health programs — to replace state General Fund spending on mental health services to Medi-Cal patients younger than 21. About $230 million in Prop 63 taxes would be transferred each year for the next two years.

Proposition 1F: No Pay Raises for State Officials

Prevent state elected officials from getting pay raises in years when state income falls short of state spending by 1 percent or more. The salary savings from Prop 1F might cause a minor reduction in state costs in some years. For example, not giving a pay raise of 3 percent to all state elected officials next year would save the state about $420,000.