California Ballot Initiatives
The California Catholic Conference has prepared these brief summaries of the text and the arguments of the proponents and opponents of the 11 propositions which will appear on California’s November 6, 2012 ballot. Each contains summaries of the pro and con arguments, as well as relevant Catholic social teaching. (See Catholic Teaching and Voting.)
Sample Homily - English, Spanish
Talking Points & Sample Bulletin Article - English, Spanish
Prayers of the Faithful - Both English and Spanish
California Catholic Conference Statement in Support of Prop 35
Who’s Funding the Initiatives
Determining who is financing an initiative can reveal the hidden agenda behind an initiative. But it is not easy. Reports collected by the California Fair Political Practices Committee (FPPC) are tedious and difficult to search.
Other sources distill information from the FPPC reports. In any case, “following the money” is good advice if you want to delve deeper into the supporters/opponents of a campaign or candidate. Here are a few public sites:
KCET – a Los Angeles Public Television Network; navigation somewhat awkward.
Maplight - nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization; informative graphics; links to independent news analysis.
California Fair Political Practices Committee – difficult to discern