Yes on 73-76, No on 78-79, ? on 77

We Californians have a variety of issues on the ballot Nov. 8, and here are my thoughts on some of the key propositions:

73 - Yes. A minor cannot go to a tanning booth, get a body piercing, or go on a school field trip without parental approval, but a child as young as 12 can be removed from school for an abortion, to receive birth control medications, or sign up with Medi-Cal to pay for it...all without parental notification. Prop. 73 requires parents be notified 48 hours prior to an abortion. The proposition doesn't require parental approval, just notification. It's a good start.

74-Yes. This prop would increase the waiting time for teacher tenure to 5 years. Makes sense to me. If it were up to me, I'd remove tenure altogether. There's no other line of work in which a job is guaranteed, regardless of the quality of the work.

75 - Yes. Union members currently have to file a formal request to prevent their dues from being used for partisan political purposes with which they may disagree. This puts the employee in a very awkward position and can intimidate the worker. This prop would require the unions to obtain written permission from each member in order to use their dues for political purposes, and puts the workers in a less intimidating position. Why not?

76 - Yes. Budget accountability for California. Lord knows they need it.

77 - ??, leaning No. The current gerrymandered district set-up we have is a mess. 153 seats in various political bodies were up for election in 2004, and not one changed parties. Legislative seats shouldn't be guaranteed to any political party.

However, I'm not happy with the Governor's solution - assigning three retired judges to do the redistricting. In our system of government, judges are supposed to interpret the law, not make it. This prop would put lawmaking into the hands of judges, and that's not a good fit. I'm inclined to vote No.

78/79 - No. Neither plan will provide a solution to the costs of drugs in California. If you want to lower the price of drugs, institute tort reform so drug manufacturers can create new drugs and market existing ones without fear of bankruptcy due to class action suits.

Make sure you get out and vote.