Show me the money -- props 46, 47, 49, 50, 51

On the California ballot are a number of propositions that will involve spending money. Prop 46 is a bond for homeless shelters and housing issues. Prop 47 is a bond for educational infrastructure. These two were submitted by the legislature for approval of the voters. The rest are on the ballot via the initiative process. Prop 49 seeks to allocate more funds for after school programs so it isn't a bond. This one is supported by Arnold "I'll be back" to run for governor someday Schwarzenegger. Prop 50 floats bonds for water projects and wetlands protections. Interestingly, on KPCC 89.3's AirTalk with Larry Mantle's Tuesday show October 22, he was discussing Prop 50. I emailed a question about why this bond was an initiative and not from the legislature. Mantle read the question on the air and the proponent of 51 acknowledged they went the legislative route but it got stuck. Considering that the California legislature is controlled by the Democrats, it is surprising that anything with strong support would get stuck. Prop 51 is devoted to transportation and public transit projects by trying to earmark funds so it isn't a bond.

In an ideal world, we could spend all the money we want to fund all these things. However, we don't live in that world and we have to pick and choose which items to approve. So this time around I plan to support 46, 47 and 49.