WE BELIEVE IN A MORAL ECONOMY
AS CALIFORNIANS OF FAITH AND SPIRIT, WE ARE RESOLVED IN OUR PROPHETIC MISSION TO CREATE A JUST AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA WHERE NO ONE IS LEFT OUT AND WHERE RACE AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ARE NOT BARRIERS TO JUSTICE.
We bring diverse faith communities together in connection, unity, compassion, love and interdependence. As people of faith and spirit, we are called to create a society of belonging, with social, economic and racial equality. Where all of us can thrive.
In doing so, through community organizing, building relationships, and creating power for our communities we challenge the narratives of scarcity and individualism that threaten the dignity of our communities and run counter to our vision. We work together to reinforce notions of abundance, interdependence, and the power of organizing and civic engagement. We stand for budget and revenue reform at every level of government, housing stability and affordability in our communities, ending the criminalization of people and healing the harm caused by histories of injustice, and investing in the power and leadership of people. We believe that government can be a force for equity and care when we organize our power to vote, engage, and in uence those power structures.
Therefore, we commit to leading our people with the following moral focus:
• We insist that the structures and systems of governance and power provide opportunities and support for all in our society regardless of color, gender, culture, language, education, socio-economics, and life experience. We will work to make California a place where diversity is understood and celebrated and where common good is enriched. We will do this through civil, honest, transparent, and compassionate public discourse and action.
• We support American democracy that fosters life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness while we understand that the common good can only be achieved when the scal priorities of the poor, working, and middle class are as signi cant and structurally represented as the powerful and well connected wealthy class.
• We commit to HOME AS SACRED – Often our society treats homelessness and housing insecurity as matters of sin or sickness when it is actually a matter of failed systems. We believe that home is a cornerstone of community and a right for all people, not a commodity. That we can invest in housing that will stay affordable forever. We believe that housing is a key component of economic dignity for all. We reject the idea that housing must be a market commodity driven by pro t, and instead we advocate for social housing as a common good that serves the public interest.
• We commit to work for repair and redress for past racial harm and injustices – We believe that a moral economy will provide reparations for the stolen labor, land, and lives of BIPOC, and ensure that they have access to equal opportunities and resources to thrive and prosper.
• We work to end mass incarceration, police brutality, and environmental racism, and invest in education, health, housing, and economic development for BIPOC. We protect the rights and dignity of immigrants and refugees and celebrate the diversity and richness of our multicultural society
• We understand and anticipate the consequences of actions taken by opposing proposals, legislation, regulation and applications that do not support furthering a generous community where the well-being of another mirrors the well-being of ourselves. And we will support ideas and actions that recognize and honor the sacred worth and value of all of us.
• We work to dismantle the structures and systems that perpetuate racial inequality and injustice, and create new ones that are based on respect, solidarity, and inclusion.
Sincerely,
Clergy, Faith Leaders, and Spiritual Elders of the PICO California Network
ARE YOU SIGNED UP TO VOTE?
OCTOBER
7, 2024
Your county elections of ce will begin mailing ballots to registered voters
OCTOBER 8, 2024
Ballot drop-off locations open
OCTOBER 21, 2024
Last day to register to vote in this election.
OCTOBER
26, 2024
Vote centers open for early in-person voting in all Voter’s Choice Act counties
NOVEMBER 5, 2024
ELECTION DAY: Your voting location is open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
NOVEMBER
12,
2024
Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by this date.
WAYS TO VOTE
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VOTE-BY-MAIL
Mark your ballot and seal it inside the envelope provided
Follow the directions on the ballot to mark your choices.
Check that you are using the return envelope with your name on it.
Put your ballot into the envelope & seal. Only 1 ballot in each envelope.
Sign and date the envelope
Date and sign your name on the back of the envelope using ink.
Check your signature to make sure it looks like the one on le.
• If you registered to vote at the DMV or online, the signature will be the one on your Driver’s License or State ID.
• Uncertain? Re-register with your updated signature. Return your ballot on time Mail your ballot back early because it must be postmarked by Election Day, November 5.
Return your ballot on time
Mail your ballot back early because it must be postmarked by Election Day, November 5.
OR DROP OFF YOUR BALLOT 2
If you decide to hand in your ballot instead of mailing it, you must drop it off no later than 8PM on Election Day, November 5.
Drop off your ballot at any Voting Location in your county.
Some counties will also offer secure Ballot Dropboxes
For details and locations check caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov
After returning your ballot, check WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov to nd out where your ballot is in the process and when it has been accepted.
WAYS TO VOTE
VOTE IN PERSON 3
If you missed the deadline, go to any Voting Location. You can register and vote on the same day – all the way up through Election Day.
At in-person Voting Locations you can:
• Vote in-person.
• Drop off your completed ballot.
• Vote with an accessible voting machine.
• Get help and voting materials in multiple languages.
Early voting, starting before Election Day, will be available in some locations.
Find Early Voting and Ballot Dropbox locations at caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov.
In certain counties you can vote at any voting location.
In other counties you must visit a special assigned voting location.
Find your Voting Location at ndmypollingplace.sos.ca.gov
• If possible, nd your assigned location at ndmypollingplace.sos.ca.gov. Go to that Voting Location to make sure you get a ballot with all your local contests.
• Same-day register and vote from home. If you need to register after October 21 and want to vote from home, contact your County Elections Of ce to nd out how to register and get a vote by mail ballot through Election Day. Check sos.ca.gov/county-elections-of ces.
WHAT WE ARE FOCUSING ON THIS YEAR
POSITIONS
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We know there are many important elections happening this year. Your vote for president, Senate, House of Representatives, Judge, and various local races are critical. For our voter guide this year, we are focusing this year on California propositions. Statewide propositions are critical parts of protecting our communities because they allow us to use our voice to directly impact policies that affect our families. This year we are taking a position on 10 California ballot measures and propositions that affect every facet of our lives from housing and public safety to infrastructure and racial justice.
PROPOSITION 2 YES
THE WAY IT IS NOW:
Thousands of schools in California are in need of repair. Everything from broken air conditioning, leaky roofs, and peeling paint create health and safety hazards. Unlike other states, California does not have a dedicated source of funding for school repair of facilities. This inadvertently impacts lower income schools as more af uent schools are able to raise the funds to make necessary repairs.
WHAT PROP 2 WOULD DO IF IT PASSES:
his bond measure would authorize California to invest $10 billion - $8.5 billion for K-12, $1.5 billion to community collegesto renovate, x, and construct facilities.
MAIN REASON TO PASS PROP 2:
$10 billion is a small price to pay for the massive return on investment we receive long-term by ensuring California students are learning under optimal conditions with facilities and educational centers that are conducive to a productive learning environment.
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PROPOSITION 4 YES
THE WAY IT IS NOW:
Many low-income communities do not have access to clean drinking water in California. In addition, the state needs to dedicate more resources to deal with climate change and this measure would address that need with the aforementioned allocations.
WHAT PROP 2 WOULD DO IF IT PASSES:
This bond measure would authorize California to invest $10 billion for climate protection programs. This bond measure prioritizes low-income communities with the biggest chunk - $1.9 - billion for drinking water improvements. Other investments include: $1.95 billion for natural-lands, parks and wildlife projects; $1.2 billion for coastal lands, bays and ocean protection; $850 million for clean energy projects; and $300 million for agricultural projects.
MAIN REASON TO PASS PROP 4:
Our air, earth, and water are sacred and our responsibility to protect them and to protect those who rely on them to breathe and drink is a moral one.
POSITIONS
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PROPOSITION 5 YES
THE WAY IT IS NOW:
In order to pass local general obligation (GO) bonds for infrastructure projects there is a required two-thirds supermajority. This nearly achievable threshold severely limits voters' ability to raise funding for transformative community projects, like affordable housing infrastructure, in a time where many of our loved ones can’t afford to stay in California.
WHAT PROP 2 WOULD DO IF IT PASSES:
This measure streamlines the ability to nance the production of affordable housing in California by lowering the voting threshold from 2/3 to 55% to approve local general obligation (GO) bonds for infrastructure projects. this measure would support affordable housing, water infrastructure, parks and recreation, and other community bene ts. The measure would also allow local governments to use innovative nancing tools such as Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts (EIFDs) and Community Revitalization and Investment Authorities (CRIAs) that could issue bonds and provide tax incentives for broadband development.
MAIN REASON TO PASS PROP 5:
Prop 5 is a smart and visionary policy that would expand opportunities for investment in housing. It would also increase broadband access, create jobs, and improve quality of life for all Californians. It is a legislative example of how as a society, we can and should care for everyone. Prop 5 gives power back to the voters to invest in our communities, to provide decent and affordable housing for all, to improve our public infrastructure, to expand our broadband access, to create jobs, to enhance our quality of life.
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PROPOSITION 6 YES
THE WAY IT IS NOW:
While California was never a slave state, it does have a history of forced labor. This is a recommendation from the state’s Reparations Task Force to eliminate all forms of slavery - including forced labor - from our state.
WHAT PROP 2 WOULD DO IF IT PASSES:
This measure would amend the state constitution prohibiting the state from punishing incarcerated Californians from involuntary work assignments and from disciplining those who refuse to work.
MAIN REASON TO PASS PROP 6:
Slavery is unacceptable in all forms and has no place in our country. End the exception to slavery today and vote YES on Prop 6.
POSITIONS
PROPOSITION 32 YES
THE WAY IT IS NOW:
People don’t earn enough money to live with dignity and security in California. In our efforts to create A Moral Economy in California, we seek to put money into people’s pockets for their hard work as many in our communities are stuck having to work more than one job to pay the bills.
WHAT PROP 2 WOULD DO IF IT PASSES:
This measure would raise the state’s minimum wage to $18 an hour. In 2024 businesses with more than 25 employees would have to start paying $17 in 2024 and $18 in 2025. Those with under 25 employees would need to start paying $17 in 2025 and $18 in 2026.
MAIN REASON TO PASS PROP 32:
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PROPOSITION 33 YES
THE WAY IT IS NOW:
Families are unable to afford rising rents in the state and this would build off of our work on the Tenant Protections Act (TPA) and the Homelessness Prevention Act (HPA) to ensure that there are limits on rent increases across the state.
WHAT PROP 2 WOULD DO IF IT PASSES:
Allows local governments to impose rent control. This would repeal Costa-Hawkins, a law that limits any local rent control (like SF and LA) and prohibits rent control on single-family homes and apartments built after 1995.
MAIN REASON TO PASS PROP 33:
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35 POSITIONS
PROPOSITION 35 YES
THE WAY IT IS NOW:
While the state has expanded access to healthcare for the most vulnerable in our state, the reimbursements to hospitals, community clinics, and doctors has only increased incrementally if at all, which has led to many of these providers turning away Medi-Cal patients. According to the Yes on 35 campaign “Health providers who serve Medi-Cal patients argue that the tax revenue should be used for new investments in Medi-Cal rather than supporting the state’s general fund” given the expansion of the program.
WHAT PROP 2 WOULD DO IF IT PASSES:
This measure would make permanent a tax on managed care health insurance plans. As the state has expanded access to health care for many Californians. Approximately 14 million Californians now utilize Medi-Cal thanks to the expansion of the program to include undocumented immigrants.
MAIN REASON TO PASS PROP 35:
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PROPOSITION 36 NO
THE WAY IT IS NOW:
Passed in 2014, Prop 47 reduced certain felonies to misdemeanors; speci cally for non-violent low-level drug and property crimes. Each year, the state savings generated by the implementation of Prop 47 are deposited into the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Fund. This investment into our communities - into jobs, education, health care, and violence intervention programs - is how we prevent crime before it happens. Prop 47 programs have reduced recidivism and homelessness by 60% among participants, saved taxpayers $103 million in prison costs, and reinvested $68 million in mental health, substance abuse, and trauma recovery services for our communities.
WHAT PROP 2 WOULD DO IF IT PASSES:
Prop 36 would strip our communities of $750 million in the next decade from mental health, substance treatment, homelessness prevention, and survivors of crime support programs. Meanwhile, budget of cials say this measure will cost taxpayers more than $26 billion in prison costs in the next decade— the biggest prison spending increase in California history. This proposition aims to put our community members in cages, cost taxpayers billions, all while stripping our communities of the necessary supportive programs that make us safer by stopping crime before it happens.
MAIN REASON TO PASS PROP 36:
We will not go back to the dark days of destructive mass incarceration and a failed war on drugs. If putting more people in cages made us safer, California would be the safest place on earth as we already incarcerate more people per capita, than any other democratic nation. All Prop 36 seeks to do is fracture our communities, discriminatorily incarcerate our marginalized community members and leave communities without the resources to live in safety and abundance. Community reentry and diversion programs are proven solutions to increase public safety and ensure whole, healthy communities. 36