Confused about some prospective local legislation? Have a candidate and don't understand one of their policy positions? Maybe you're just curious about some of the smaller issues different parts of the world are voting on? This is the thread for you.
This thread is for discussing and clarifying the options a voter has in their specific election. If you can vote on it, feel free to share it here. However, if your governing body has passed a law without your direct vote in the matter and you'd like to talk about it, take it to the News thread.
Some ground rules:
When you bring up a new topic you have questions about, be as specific as possible. Try to summarize the law or position you're asking about, or at least quote a summary of it. Do your best to provide a useful link so others can take a closer look if they'd like.
Try to add some context. Describe the circumstances predicating the vote on the subject, and do your best to include the names of high-profile endorsements and donors. These clues can often help frame who the law/candidate will help most.
If you already have some thinking on the matter, clearly designate it as such and keep it separate from your summary.
And most of all: keep it civil! Don't insult other members or their opinions, no matter how much you disagree with them.
–- Update From New Post Merge ---
To start:
Here in California, we can vote for a number of state propositions that can only be overturned by a court or a later state proposition. It's fairly permanent, which is why most state propositions have a built-in expiration date.
One of the most controversial bills is Prop 61, which would require that state Medicaid purchase drugs from at national Medicaid prices (42% of market) instead of their current rate (51%). The major concern is that drug companies will raise prices in retaliation, costing people a lot of money.
Pharmaceutical companies have funneled almost $100 million into defeating this, which makes me naturally suspicious, but it's also opposed by the NAACP and dozens of unions, medical associations, and veterans groups. Supporting it is Bernie Sanders, Robert Reich, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the California Nurses Association, and the majority of county Democratic groups.
Basically, no one knows how much this will cost. My current line of thinking goes that pharmaceutical companies could raise prices anyway if they wanted and that if they're fighting it this much it must be bad for them. All the groups opposing it are certainly giving me pause though. Thoughts, anyone?
