Counting down to election day, your vote making *** difference in your community in Congress and in the White House tonight. What you need to know about key races, state propositions and what your vote really means in our KCR *** three voter guide. Welcome. And thank you for joining us for our case. C three voter guide aimed at getting you ready for the general election. I'm meeting Lambert and I'm Ashley. All we are four weeks away from election day and California voters have some big decisions to make on everything from minimum wage to prison sentences to rent control. Tonight, we'll take *** look at those high stakes ballot measures that could affect the lives of millions of Californians. 10 measures are on the ballot asking voters to decide on funding for schools, environmental projects and health care first. Taking *** quick look at what's at stake nationally. In addition to the race for president, the battle for control of Congress Republicans currently have *** majority in the house partisan make up next year will be decided in part by *** handful of races running right through California. The nonpartisan cook political report has rated 10, four races as competitive with five of them rated as *** toss up in our area. That includes district 13 Republican incumbent John Duarte is once again running against Democrat, Adam Gray. They were separated by less than half of *** percentage point in the last election. Also competitive according to the cook political report. District nine democratic incumbent Josh Harter running against the Republican mayor of Stockton Kevin Lincoln. Now to the state ballot measures and prop 36 is really dominated the political discussion. Under proposition 36 certain theft and drug crimes would be reclassified from misdemeanors to felonies ahead of the election. The measure is dividing some Democrats after years of seeing these images, brazen robberies, everyday necessities locked away and grieving parents who lost their Children to fentaNYL poisoning because more people are going to die. Voters will decide if the consequences for those crimes should be harsher through prop 36 politicians from both sides of the aisle that includes Democrats, Sacramento Da 10 Ho and Elgrove mayor Bobby Singh Allen. We can't afford to have any more businesses shut down. We cannot afford to have any more Children lost to fentaNYL. And that's what proposition 36 at the end of the day. Additional tools for law enforcement for the district attorneys across the state to really ensure public safety for all communities and all businesses and all people. Proposition 36 takes aim narrowly at repeat thieves and constant fentaNYL related offenders. First someone with two prior convictions of petty theft would face *** felony on the third offense regardless of the amount stolen. How likely is it that someone charged with their third misdemeanor theft crime is going to prison for stealing *** slice of pizza or *** pack of gum. Those are scare tactics. Those are extreme examples that in reality will not come true for repeat fentaNYL and other hard drug related offenders. On the third conviction for possession prop 36 would trigger *** treatment mandated felony, giving them the option of drug treatment under the watch of the courts or time in prison or jail. Compassion without accountability is enabling people to continue to live in the throes of addiction and the cycle of addiction. But opponents of the measure have been mourning for months. This will return California back to its days of mass incarceration and the war on drugs. 2.01 reverse us back to those days where they could lock up as many black and brown people as possible. But I can tell you as someone who has lived most of their life, feeling unsafe and unprotected by the systems who are supposed to uphold that, that relying on incarceration will not get us the outcome that we want. One of the measure's biggest critics is Governor Gavin Newsom who warned this will cost the state billions of dollars. He notes the measure does not provide any new money to help with treatment and I know people are frustrated. I know people are angry. I am too, but this is not the way of solving it. After recent polling showed 71% of voters would support the measure. The governor signaled he will not use his campaign funds to fight it. I fear I can't do everything. The impact it's going to have on the black and brown community is next level. And the fact that I saw *** poll today and so 70% of people want to support it. I was wondering what state I was living in? Do you have *** sense of how soon Californians could see the effects of prop 36. It's not gonna be at *** snap of *** finger or *** turning on the light switch. We have to have enforcement and then we have to have those cases go through the court system and those individuals who are arrested under the new law that is proposition 36 will have their due process in their day in court moving on now to prop five, which would make it easier for local governments to borrow money and in *** sense raise taxes. Proposition five asked California voters to make it easier to lower the voter threshold needed to borrow funds for public projects to 55% right now. That takes *** two thirds vote or about 66%. This could cover projects related to housing, roads or public transportation, for example, by making it easier to borrow money. It would also make it easier for local governments to raise property taxes, which is how they pay back the debt. Here's what opponents and supporters say. Number one, it's going to give more control to cities and so many times they don't have the tools to get infrastructure projects done, affordable housing done. Proposition five has guardrails around it so we go down to 55% and it has *** lot of things like, you know, um it has to have an oversight committee that gets audits done. There are no other bonds that ask for that, that the community is asking to make sure that we have accountability and transparency of this would ultimately add billions of dollars in local property taxes. So people need to understand that. Now some renters may say, well, it's just property owners but that's in commercial property. It's in cost of rents and everything else. So just added tax burden in California is not warranted at this time. Now, to another proposition that could also affect your wallet. Proposition 33 would limit how much landlords can charge for rent while some say this could make apartments more affordable. Critics say it's not that simple, an affordable unit here is 700 to 100. Zahedan is an affordable housing developer in northern California. His company helps build apartments for lower income renters like this one in Folsom. Every single unit is affordable at extremely low, very low and low income so that families pay 30 percent of what they make in rent. Zayani is against proposition 33 which asks California voters to make it easier for cities and counties to limit how much *** landlord can charge *** tenant for rent. Prop 33 repeals what's known as the Costa Hawkins Rental Housing Act which right now keeps cities and counties from setting rent control on single family homes or apartments built after 1995 California already has *** housing shortage and opponents warn prop 33 could make it worse. We think it could be devastating. It lowers supply makes it more challenging to build affordable housing at *** time when we need more affordable housing. Zani says developers and property owners have costs too and those costs could become overwhelming if rents are capped. The challenge is just like anybody insurance costs go utility costs go up, your power bill goes up. We need to find *** way to pay for that to keep the project afloat if those costs go up, but you can't bring in enough revenue to pay those costs. Then you have *** problem. Obviously, rents keep increasing and it's really difficult, especially for low wage folks that work in low wage jobs. Arino is the co president of Unite here. Local 11, *** labor group that is *** major supporter of prop 33. She notes some of the workers she represents are being priced out of their own neighborhoods in the areas where they work through rent hikes. We're not saying that there's rent control in every city in California. We're saying we're going to leave it up to the elected officials to decide if that's the case. This is the third time this is on the ballot. Voters rejected it in 2018 and 2020. What do you think makes this year different for this measure? Oh, my goodness. Where do I start? I mean, we're all of us are feeling it after COVID. Everybody started feeling that and so people lo many people lost their homes. Some people are living in their car. It is extraordinary. I, you know, to, to see, to, to see these prices and there's gotta be *** give at some point. Voters will ultimately decide if it gives in November. Now, according to the latest campaign finance data, supporters of prop 33 raised $42 million to campaign for it. Opponents raised $75 million to fight it when we come back. Political reporter Alexi Ka from CAL matters will join us to talk about the biggest spenders in the upcoming election and of course, why they're trying to influence your vote and much more. We'll be right back. Stay with us. Welcome back to our KCR *** three voter guide. We're showing you what to expect on your ballot this month. And that includes prop two as KCR Three's Melanie Wingo reports. It would authorize $10 billion for upgrades and repairs to schools. Supporters of this legislative statute say many schools and community colleges are outdated and in need of basic health and safety repairs and they say passing Prop two is *** way to make those upgrades. Those against prop two say bonds like this are akin to *** government credit card and paying off that credit card. They say requires the government to spend too much taxpayer money placed on the ballot. The California legislature prop to allocate $10 billion in bond money to go toward repairs, health and safety upgrades and the build out of new facilities at K through 12 public school and community college sites. *** yes vote on proposition two means California could borrow $10 billion to build new or renovate existing public school and community college facilities. *** no vote on this measure means the state would not be allowed to borrow $10 billion to fund the repair, renovation or construction of public school and community college sites. So let's take *** look at the fiscal impact of this measure. Passage of prop two means state cost increases to the tune of roughly $500 million *** year over the course of 35 years. While the bond is repaid, the Community College League of California and professional organizations for both teachers and school nurses statewide are backers of proposition two. And they say this measure requires strict accountability to taxpayers and funds would be spent with local control. They are encouraging voters to pass it. Meanwhile, those against proposition to including some taxpayer advocacy groups say this $10 billion bond will end up costing taxpayers an estimated $18 billion when all is said and done and it's repaid with interest. That's why they urge *** no vote on prop to Melanie. We go KCR *** three news. Well, hundreds of millions of dollars are pouring into the various ballot measures this year with so many decisions that will affect the daily lives of Californians. Joining us now to help break down the different propositions, the biggest spenders and more cal matters. Political reporter, Alexei Kosa, thank you so much for being with us. We will jump right into this. So when it comes to political spending in California, that's candidates that's ballot measures who are the top funders that we're seeing. Well, there's *** couple industries that really stick out this year but far and away at the top of the list is the real estate industry, realtors, landlords, developers are going all in trying to stop this rent control measure that's on the ballot. On the other side of that, you have the Aids Healthcare Foundation, it's *** non profit down in L *** that's been pushing these kinds of policies for *** couple of election cycles now also putting tens of millions of dollars into trying to get that passed. But we're looking at *** fight now. That is well over $100 million worth of campaign spending. Yeah, I was just gonna say, and that one is very straightforward. I mean, you understand why the two sides are spending the money to promote their, you know, their point of view. Yeah, one other, I would point to, there's ***, *** ballot measure proposition 35 that would raise rates for doctors and other medical providers and doctors groups and hospitals have put *** lot of money into funding this um tens of millions of dollars they would, you know, benefit financially from it. On the other side, people are raising concerns about, you know, what that would do to the state budget, it locks in *** certain amount of funding, but they haven't really had the money to get their message out. So it's sort of *** David versus Goliath fight that's happening kind of lopsided spending on that. Um You covered *** very interesting issue recently for CAL matters and that is we look at conservative power here in California and the voter registration kind of 2 to 1 Democrats and Republicans. So one of the areas of focus for conservatives has been not necessarily the statewide races but these down ballot uh city council school boards. What can we expect in terms of that on our ballots? You know, I think it's been very interesting to see how *** lot of these local races have become sort of um symbols of bigger fights that are happening nationally. So one I would point to in our region, the Rockland School board, they've gained *** lot of attention over the last few years for being out there in front in the state for having parental notification policies around trans students. Um, and, you know, there are now *** couple of candidates who are running to challenge some of the incumbents who have been leading voices on those kinds of issues. Um, you know, down south in Huntington Beach, uh, even though that's sort of out of our region, they've been *** leading kind of, uh, you know, their, their city council has been sort of leading the charge and challenging the state on, on just about any issue. You can imagine from, uh, library book bans to housing, to voter id. And they're also having *** very contentious city council race right now that could wipe out all of the remaining Democrats on their city council. And you see that as kind of *** blueprint that other regions will then try to model what are some of the trends you're tracking in these last four weeks. Well, I think, you know, one, the things that I'm really looking out for is around abortion messaging. I've actually been very interested to see what *** big part of the campaign that's been for candidates even on the state level here in California where we think of abortion as being pretty protected, but they are getting out there in front on that issue and trying to appeal to voters Democrats are, um even though it hasn't really been one of the things that's risen to the top of the list of, of what we imagine being sort of an important state issue in California. So I'll be interested, interested to see is that an effective strategy for helping Democrats in these, you know, swing areas where we tend to think of, you know, kind of moderate issues around crime or uh you know, the economy being *** more effective kind of message. Are they able to sort of cut through there on this, on this abortion rights issue, important to *** lot of Californians. But uh maybe following the national trend when it comes to that messaging Alexi. Thank you as always very, very much next, protecting California from climate risks, the battle over how to pay for those projects, anticipating the largest potential disasters. So welcome back to our KCR *** three voter guide. Election offices across the state are mailing out ballots to all registered voters. Some of them have already been delivered. This is video from San Joaquin County where there are new safeguards in place. Officials installed cameras at each of the 25 drop boxes. The goal is to add another layer of transparency, ballots are safe and secure and when they drop it off in our dropbox, that it gets to the hands of the registrar immediately after being placed in the box. And I think it's just to put *** safeguard in place. I used to just go to the post office, but now I got, you know, I, I gotta come here to make sure that it, somehow it don't happen. Nothing happens. It was crazy from the post office to the, wherever they count the votes. So I, I'd rather just come here. The cameras are live streamed so anyone can see what's happening by checking the county's registrar of voters website on the ballot. This year, voters will also see proposition four as California has struggled with its budget situation. State leaders has had, have had to make some cuts including to various climate related programs. Now as Casey Three's Melanie Wingo shows us the legislature wants voters to borrow billions of dollars for *** variety of climate and environmental projects. Supporters of this legislative statute say proposition four is *** pro active approach to preventing the worst impacts of wildfires, smoke, drought and pollution. Those against prop four say clean water and wildfire risk mitigation are necessities that should be budgeted for not bonded placed on the ballot by the California legislature. Prop four allocates $10 billion in bond money to go to drinking water systems, wildfire prevention and the protection communities and land from climate related risks. *** yes vote on prop four means California could borrow $10 billion to fund natural resource conservation efforts and tackle the causes and effects of climate change. *** no vote on this measure means the state would not be allowed to borrow $10 billion to fund various activities aimed at resource conservation and climate change effects mitigation. So, outlining the fiscal impact of this measure prop four means state costs would increase by about $400 million per year over the course of 40 years. While the bond commitment is repaid, many fire service agencies and conservation groups are supporters of proposition four. And they say this is *** fiscally responsible way to deal with wildfire, water and climate related issues pointing to yearly audits baked into its provision and they are encouraging voters to pass it. Meanwhile, those against it including some taxpayer advocacy groups say bonds like this are the most expensive way to fund government spending and they urge *** no vote on prop four. Melanie Wingo KCR *** three news as we get closer to election night. KCR *** is your home for election coverage when the results start coming in, we tabulate the local races with our crew in the newsroom and our national numbers come from the Associated Press. The *** P has *** team of 5000 people helping to collect count, verify and then publish the results of the November election. They say in order to keep their count accurate, they get results from dozens of vote count reporters and then they check those against what elections officials are sending in. The team says this year. They've also started testing their systems earlier than ever before just to make sure that everything is running smoothly now for much more on what to expect come election day, check the KCR *** three app, you can scan this QR code that you see right on your screen to go straight to our 2024 voter guide. We have explanations of all the propositions along with the state and local races and when the totals start coming in, we will also post the very latest results on the app. We should acknowledge what we highlighted here tonight is just *** sliver of what you will see on your ballot in the coming weeks. We will hear from so many of the candidates that you will see in these down ballot races in California and we should acknowledge that the results could take *** while. Yes, they could. Well, we want to thank you for joining us for our case cr three voter guide. We hope you'll stay with KCR *** three for our continuing election coverage over this next month.