Election 2020

Proposition 14 _ OPPOSE

Issues $5.5 billion in bonds for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM), a state program created in 2004 to fund stem cell research projects, including research involving embryonic stem cells.  Proposition 14 also makes changes to the governance structure and programs of the CIRM, including increased efforts and new positions to improve patient access to stem cell treatments.

A YES vote on Proposition 14 means the state could sell $5.5 billion in general obligation bonds to fund CIRM operations and additional grants.

A NO vote on Proposition 14 means the state could not sell such bonds.

The California Catholic Conference strongly recommends a NO vote based on moral and ethical objections to using human embryonic stem cells as the raw material for experimentation and inadequate financial accountability and oversight of taxpayer funds.  MORE BACKGROUND 

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PROPOSITION 20 _ OPPOSE

Makes changes to policies related to criminal sentencing charges, prison release, and DNA collection by repealing Prop 47 (2014) and Prop 57 (2016), both supported by the California Bishops.  This proposition amends state law to (1) increase penalties for certain theft-related crimes, (2) change the existing nonviolent offender release consideration process, (3) change community supervision practices, and (4) require DNA collection from adults convicted of certain misdemeanors.

In the past decade, California voters and lawmakers have enacted more than a dozen bills or ballot initiatives that have prioritized local public safety programs over long prison sentences.  These changes have helped the state comply with the federal lawsuit on prison conditions and reduced the prison population by more than 40,000 people while crime rates have remained historically low. The criminal justice reforms have fueled a policy shift reallocating resources toward rehabilitative programs to prepare people in prison to return to the community and expanded trauma recovery services to help crime victims heal. 

Proposition 20 would repeal this progress and emphasize a more punitive rather than restorative justice system in California.

A YES vote on Proposition 20 means the aforementioned changes to state law would be enacted.

A NO vote on Proposition 20 means existing law would remain unchanged.

The California Catholic Conference strongly recommends a NO vote.  Recent reform such as Propositions 47 and 57 have fueled a successful policy shift reallocating resources toward rehabilitation in the state's criminal justice system.  Prop 20 attempts to overturn that progress. MORE BACKGROUND 

INFORMATION and ANALYSIS OF ALL THE CALIFORNIA PROPOSITIONS by the CALIFORNIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE

MORE ON CATHOLIC POSITIONS ON VOTING AT FAITHFUL CITIZENSHIP

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