Latinos represent about 23 percent of the voters in California, which made their voices a vital component to the November 2014 election. A 2014 poll by Latino Decisions found that Latinos primarily vote because they want to support their communities, not necessarily their respective political parties. Among the political issues that Latinos care about the most, immigration, the economy and education top the list. California had no shortages on issues that directly affected the Latin American communities in the state, and the following is a look at initiatives, measures and propositions that will make an impact.  

City-Specific Propositions

Proposition C: Passed

Proposition C will extend San Francisco’s landmark Children’s Fund and the Public Education Enrichment Fund (PEEF) for an additional 25 years past the June 30, 2016 expiration date. The proposition calls for additional funds and the formation of a council that will review and approve plans and policies aimed at improving the quality of life of children and working families.

Proposition G: Defeated

The “property resale tax,” or Proposition G, aimed to reduce the number of people seeking to “flip” multi-family properties in San Francisco, like apartments, by imposing high taxes on their sale or transfer. Affordable housing advocates drafted the proposition in response to the area’s epidemic of evictions that seemed to stem from real estate property speculations. Since the proposition didn’t pass, tenants in the area will continue to face no-fault evictions and higher rent costs, and multi-family properties will soar in price.

Proposition J: Passed

San Francisco voters were in favor of steadily raising the minimum wage in San Francisco to $15 by 2018. While this is good news for the lowest-paid workers, the wage hike will likely increase the cost of products, services and the cost of living in the city.

Proposition K: Passed

This resolution allows San Francisco to set aside more money for affordable housing programs. The goal is to develop 30,000 units by 2020.

State-Wide Propositions

Proposition 1: Passed

Proposition 1, the “Water Bond,” awards $7.15 billion in bonds to improve California’s water infrastructure. The funds will also help with costs related to supply management, storage, treatment and protection. The proposition will largely affect communities in the Central Valley, as they experience problems with reliable supplies of safe drinking water.

Proposition 45: Defeated

California voters voted against the “Public Notice Required for Insurance Company Rates Initiative.” The initiative’s defeat will allow insurance companies to continue to penalize individuals with poor credit scores or a lack of insurance history with increases in premium rates or policy denials.

Proposition 47: Passed

Proposition 47 initiative will reduce penalties to those who commit low-level drug-related crimes or property-related crimes in an effort to save prison costs. In addition, the proposition will re-classify some “non-serious, non-violent” felonies as misdemeanors. The money saved will help fund the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Fund, which will offer mental health and addiction treatment support.

Latino Political Appointments

California voters elected Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar as a Supreme Court Justice. Cuéllar is the first immigrant Latino in the state to receive this judicial appointment. Similarly, Daniel Flores of San Francisco will soon have a seat on the California Supreme Court.