Proposition 35. Public works projects. Use of private contractors for engineering and architectural services.

This is the first proposition put on the ballot via petition signatures. An initiative is a way for the citizens of California to get propositions in the election ballot. Propositions amend the state constitution and/or statutes in the state constitution. So propositions can be submitted by the legislature by a simple majority (I think) or by getting 400k-600k signatures from registered California voters. Back to Prop 35.

Prop 35 allows the state government to contract out more services, especially engineering services, than before. Basically it would remove any restrictions on contracting, though there would still be a procedure to use to keep it fair, and there would be an optional bidding process for contract work. Right now the state can only contract out in certain circumstances (emergencies, lack of in-house skills, temporary contracts). One of the biggest effects will be on the State Transportation Improvement Program, usually done by CalTrans. Local governments are not affected, since they can contract out at whim already.

The Pro argument is yet another rah rah piece written in the "only fools would oppose us, are you a fool?" sort of style that I find rather annoying. Apparently all they want is for CalTrans to contract more work out so that roads are improved faster, they don't mention any other reasons in their rather long argument piece. The Con rebuttal is that this Proposition only helps civil engineering consultants, CalTrans already spends $150 Million a year contracting work out, and Prop 35 doesn't define the process for choosing contractors, so it's unlikely to be fair.

The Con argument is just as bad as the Pro argument. Prop 35 is backed by the huge engineering corporations (realistically, I doubt that there are *any* "huge" engineering corporations, just a lot of small and medium size ones). Experts say that Prop 35 will: delay road improvements as the bureaucracy to support it is developed, traffic congestion will get worse because of this, delay improvements in schools and health care facilities. No to big corporations! The Pro rebuttal is that it's the CalTrans bureaucracy bankrolling the Cons, as CalTrans doesn't want to lose any power. The Pros are only trying to open up the contract process so that expert engineers (who are presumably more efficient and cost less than CalTrans) can compete for these new contracts.

The arguments are getting worse and worse as I read the later Propositions. Personally, I think CalTrans does a good job, they contract out a lot of work, and CalTrans field employees are in one of the most dangerous jobs in the state. So I don't think I can vote for this Proposition.

On another note, I was worried that I had to reregister this year since I haven't gotten any sort of voter material in the mail yet. But it's too late since in California you have to register 29 days before an election. I read the FAQ at the California Secretary of State's web site and it says that you don't have to reregister unless you move. There's also contact information so you can check with your county to see if you're registered. At least in Concord, it looks like you have to reregister if you haven't voted in 8 years and haven't responded to any of the correspondence from the county Election Department.