Tribal Gaming Compact Amendments. Authorizes Governor to negotiate tribal gaming compact amendments requiring 25% tax on all "machine gaming". If tribes fail to accept compacts amendments within 90 days would authorize the creation 16 non-tribal gaming facilities at specified locations.

My vote: NO. I don't know how this ever got on the ballot. Just a horrible, horrible idea. I see no reason to even discuss the merits of this proposition specifically, because there is no way in hell it's going to pass.

Both tribal gaming propositions (86 &70) are nothing but scams. The five largest gaming tribes in California have already signed new compacts that would permit limited expansion in exchange for a 25% tax. It is surmised that the rest of the tribes will soon follow suit in order to keep up- all they're waiting for is to see if the voters of California are dumb enough to pass either of these amendments. So, if you vote 'no' on 68 and 70, you are voting, in effect, 'yes' on the Governor's new compacts. They aren't a great option, but they're the best we've got.

DNA Samples. Collection. Data Base Funding. Requires the collection of DNA samples from all felons- and others arrested for specific crimes- to be submitted to statewide DNA database. After five years would require the collection of DNA from any adult arrested for a felony.

My vote: NO. The key words here are "arrested for, or charged with, a felony." Is it just me, or does that seem spectacularly unconstitutional to anyone else? I'm all for collecting DNA from convicted felons, but this goes too far. Whatever happened to presumption of innocence?

Tribal Gaming Compacts. Exclusive Gaming Rights. Upon request of gaming tribe, would require Governor to execute renewable 99-year gaming compact. Compact would allow for unlimited expansion of number of gaming machines, gaming facilities, or types of games. In exchange, tribe would percentage of net-gaming income based on state corporate tax rate.

My vote: NO. This is a license for the gaming tribes to run wild. It would allow the tribes to create more games- both in expanding their gaming floors, and creating unlimited variety in gaming types. It would allow them to create more casinos, closer to population centers. It would also call for fewer environmental regulations than the Governor's compacts. It would result in lower tax revenue than the governor's compacts. And, the 99-year length of these compacts means the state would be powerless in any future negotiations.

There are absolutely no redeeming qualities in this proposition.

Stem Cell Research. Funding. Bonds. Floats bond ($3 billion) to establish "California Institute for Regenerative Medicine" with mandate to regulate and fund stem cell research in the state.

My vote: NO. Put your views on stem cell research aside for a second, and look at what this proposition actually does. It floats $3 billion dollar bond. A bond which is going to cost the state $6 billion- $6 billion more than the state can afford. It also creates a huge new government bureaucracy to oversee the program. Lovely- because we all know how well that usually works.

No matter your position on stem cell research, you have to see that this proposition is simply a boondoggle at the expense of the California taxpayers.

Health Care Coverage Requirements. Requires "large and medium" (50+ employees) employers to provide heath coverage for workers, covering at least 80% of costs.

My vote: NO. Make it harder for business to do business in the middle of an economic recovery? Real smart.

1A- YES
59- YES
60- YES
60A- YES
61- YES
62- NO
63- NO
64- YES
65- NO
66- NO
67- NO
68- NO
69- NO
70- NO
71- NO
72- NO