Election Recommendations

T raditionally The Times does not endorse in the contests for President, U.S. Senate or governor. It believes readers have enough information to form their own views on those races. As for other, lesser-known contests, Times policy is to endorse selectively. Only those political races in which this newspaper is endorsing in Tuesday’s election are listed here.

State Propositions

YES--Prop. 155: School Bonds

Would authorize $900 million for building and modernizing schools.

YES--Prop. 156: Rail Bonds

This would raise $1 billion for trains, light rail and subways.

NO--Prop. 157: Toll Roads

Would permit developers to build roads with certainty that taxpayers would pick up the bills down the road.

YES--Prop. 158: Analyst

Would embed in the Constitution the California analyst, an office to objectively examine impact of legislative proposals and ballot measures.

YES--Prop. 159: Auditor

Would give constitutional protection to the state auditor general, an office that performs vital independent audits of government projects.

NO--Prop. 160: Tax Break

This proposal would create a property tax exemption for surviving spouses of people who died while on active military duty as a result of service-related injury or disease. What about surviving spouses of police officers? Firefighters? Too narrow for a ballot amendment.

NO--Prop. 161: Aid in Dying

This initiative would allow anyone with a life expectancy of six months or less to sign a directive requesting “aid in dying.” The measure lacks adequate safeguards.

NO--Prop. 162: Pensions

This proposed constitutional amendment would grant nearly absolute powers to the state’s two major retirement boards. It’s intended to stop pension-fund raids, but the Constitution already bans such looting.

NO--Prop. 163: Snack Tax

This would repeal the tax on snacks, candy and bottled water, which generates about $210 million for the state and $70 million for local governments each year. It’s the wrong time to eliminate this tax.

NO--Prop. 164: Term Limits

Would limit the consecutive terms of California’s members of the House and the Senate. Would put California at a disadvantage in Washington. Term limits may be a good idea, but only if all states have them.

NO--Prop. 165: Budget Reform

This measure would, among other things, cut benefits to those who receive Aid to Families with Dependent Children by 25%, a move that would punish innocent children more than anyone else. It also would give the governor sole power to enact a budget if no budget was passed by July 1. That’s too much power.

NO--Prop. 166: Health Plan

Mandates that all employers provide insurance for those who work more than 17 1/2 hours a week. One problem is the federal law prohibits such a mandate. Another problem is that it could motivate employers to reduce or eliminate jobs. Very risky.

NO--Prop. 167: Taxes

A complex package of tax increases and cuts; it’s precisely the sort of measure that should not be placed on a ballot. The timing is also problematic; a tax hike of this sweeping nature during a recession is not a good idea.

L.A. County

Ballot Measures

YES--Prop. A: Park Assessment

Would levy an assessment of less than $13 a year on the average single family home to fund $540 million in improvements to beaches, parks and other recreational areas.

YES--Prop. B: County Executive

Would create a county executive--in effect, a county mayor--plus checks and balances.

YES--Prop. C: Bigger Board

Would expand the board from five to nine supervisors. Cannot take effect without passage of Proposition B.

L.A. City Ballot Measures

YES--Amendment K: Airport Funds

Amends charter to allow other pinched city agencies to use surplus airport funds.

YES--Prop. L: Sewer Bonds

Raises $1.5 billion for the city’s aging sewer system, increasing sewer bills only a few dollars each year.

YES--Proposition M: Better 911

Raises property taxes by average of $26 a year to overhaul Los Angeles’ emergency network, including the troubled 911 telephone system.

YES--Proposition N: More Police

Raises property taxes by average of $73 a year to fund 1,000 more police.

Local Municipal Measures

Hawthorne/YES--Prop. Q

Hikes local utility taxes to increase police force by almost a third.

Lawndale/YES--Prop. F

Would give the city a comprehensive long-term general plan.

Long Beach/YES--Prop. H

Would levy special tax on property owners to expand Police Department.

Long Beach/YES--Prop. I

Would help ease political gridlock by increasing mayor’s powers.

Pasadena/YES--Prop. O

Measure would provide a basis for future planning and development.

Santa Monica/YES--Prop. S

Updates City Charter and enhances some City Council powers.

Santa Monica/YES--Prop. T

Authorizes bonds for Santa Monica Community College improvements.

Candidate Endorsements

U.S. Congress

24th CD--Anthony C. Beilenson (D)

28th CD--Al Wachtel (D)

31st CD--Reuben Franco (R)

32nd CD--Julian C. Dixon (D)

34th CD--Esteban E. Torres (D)

36th CD--Jane Harman (D)

38th CD--Steve Horn (R)

41st CD--Jay C. Kim (R)

State Legislature

37th AD--Nao Takasugi (R)

39th AD--Richard Katz (D)

40th AD--Barbara Friedman (D)

41st AD--Terry B. Friedman (D)

53rd AD--Debra Bowen (D)

29th SD--Frank Hill (R)

L.A. County

Board of Supervisors

District 2: Diane Watson

District 4: Gordana Swanson