The direct duty to work for a just ordering of society ... is proper to the lay faithful. As citizens of the State, they are called to take part in public life in a personal capacity ... The mission of the lay faithful is therefore to configure social life correctly, respecting its legitimate autonomy and cooperating with other citizens according to their respective competences and fulfilling their own responsibility.

--- Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est, #28, 2006

The California Catholic Conference (CCC) has prepared the following information for use by Catholics who wish to be "faithful citizens" and informed voters when they go to the polls for California's Nov. 7 general election.

There will be 13 Propositions on the ballot ranging from bond measures for transportation, housing, education and disaster preparedness to initiatives and/or constitutional amendments dealing with punishment for sexually violent predators, water quality, parental rights, healthcare, energy, parcel taxes to increase education funding, financing of political campaigns, and property rights.

The California bishops strongly support Proposition 85, the Parents' Right to Know and Child Protection Act. In addition, Catholic Charities of California supports Proposition 1C and the Alliance for Catholic Health Care supports Proposition 86.

The bishops ask that voters prayerfully consider their vote on all the propositions in light of the Catholic teaching, pertinent sections of which are posted with each explanation to assist Catholics in their decisions. More information (including arguments for and against each proposition) is available on the CCC's website, www.cacatholic.org.

Proposition 1A: Transportation Funding Protection. Legislative Constitutional Amendment.
Proposition 1A will protect transportation funding for traffic congestion relief, safety improvements, and local streets and roads; will prohibit the state sales tax on fuel from being used for any other purpose than transportation improvement; will authorize loans from the fund only in cases of severe state fiscal hardship. Fiscal Impact: There would be no direct revenue or cost effect; however, the state's authority to use available funds for other priorities would be curtailed.
A reflection on Catholic teaching:
"Christian stewardship, therefore, applies to everything --- all personal talents, abilities, and wealth; the local, national, and worldwide environment; all human and natural resources wherever they are; the economic order; governmental affairs; and even outer space. This stewardship does not tolerate indifference to anything important in God's world."
-Stewardship: A Disciple's Response, U. S. Catholic Bishops, 1992

Proposition 1B: Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality, and Port Security Bond Act of 2006.
Proposition 1B will make safety improvements and repairs to state infrastructure-including highways, bridges, and ports-by providing for a bond issue not to exceed $19.9 billion. Fiscal Impact: It will cost the state approximately $38.9 billion over 30 years to repay the bonds.
A reflection on Catholic teaching:
"The principle behind the relationships between the different layers of this 'community of communities' should be that of subsidiarity. In a centralised society, subsidiarity will mainly mean passing powers downwards; but it can also mean passing appropriate powers upwards, even to an international body, if that would better serve the common good and protect the rights of families and of individuals."
-The Common Good and the Church's Social Teaching, n. 22,
Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, 1996

Proposition 1C: Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act of 2006.
Proposition 1C proposes to issue bonds in the amount of $2.85 billion for the purpose of providing shelters for battered women and their children; housing for low-income seniors, homeownership assistance for the disabled, military veterans and working families; and repairs to apartments for families and the disabled. Fiscal Impact: It will cost the state approximately $6.1 billion over 30 years to repay bonds.
A reflection on Catholic teaching:
"Individual citizens and intermediate groups are obliged to make their specific contributions to the common welfare. One of the chief consequences of this is that they must bring their own interests into harmony with the needs of the community, and must contribute their goods and their services as civil authorities have prescribed, in accord with the norms of justice and within the limits of their competence."
-Peace on Earth, #53, Pope John XXIII, 1963

Catholic Charities of California supports Proposition 1C, saying: "Our communities are out of balance when large numbers of people are in inadequate housing or without homes. Voters in 2002 supported increased housing programs. Prop 1C continues that legacy of improved housing programs, sheltering battered women, and makes our communities more affordable for all." (Website: CCCalifornia.org.)

Proposition 1D: Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2006.
Proposition 1D proposes to repair and upgrade public K-12 schools; build new classrooms for community colleges, the University of California and California State University with funds from a $10.4 billion bond issue. Fiscal Impact: It will cost the state approximately $20.3 billion over 30 years to repay bonds.
A reflection on Catholic teaching:
"All persons, by virtue of their dignity as human persons, have an inalienable right to receive a quality education. We must ensure that our nation's young people --- especially the poor, those with disabilities, and the most vulnerable --- are properly prepared to be good citizens, to lead productive lives, and to be socially and morally responsible in the complicated and technologically challenging world of the twenty-first century... We support the necessary initiatives that provide adequate funding to educate all persons no matter what school they attend-public, private, or religious --- or their personal condition."
-Faithful Citizenship, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2003

Proposition 1E: Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Bond Act of 2006.
Proposition 1E proposes to rebuild and repair California's flood control structures by authorizing a $4 billion bond issue. Fiscal Impact: It will cost the state approximately $8 billion over 30 years to repay bonds-but could possibly save billions in flood damage.
A reflection on Catholic teaching:
"It is above all a question of interdependence, sensed as a system determining relationships in the contemporary world... When interdependence becomes recognized in this way, the correlative response... is solidarity. This then is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people... On the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good; that is to say to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all."
-On Social Concern n. 38, Pope John Paul II, 1987

Proposition 83: Sex Offenders. Sexually Violent Predators. Punishment, Residence Restrictions and Monitoring. Initiative Statute.
Proposition 83 will increase penalties for violent and habitual sex offenders and child molesters, prohibit residence near schools and parks, and require GPS monitoring of registered sex offenders. Fiscal Impact: Proposition 83 would increase Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) prison operating costs (longer sentences and purchase of GPS equipment)-possibly hundreds of millions of dollars; however, GPS monitoring may reduce recidivism among offenders.
A reflection on Catholic teaching:
"We are guided by the paradoxical Catholic teaching on crime and punishment: We will not tolerate the crime and violence that threatens the lives and dignity of our sisters and brothers, and we will not give up on those who have lost their way... We seek both justice and mercy. Working together, we believe our faith calls us to protect public safety, promote the common good, and restore community. We believe a Catholic ethic of responsibility, rehabilitation, and restoration can become the foundation for the necessary reform of our broken criminal justice system."
-Responsibility, Rehabilitation and Restoration, U.S. Bishops, 2000

Proposition 84: Water Quality, Safety and Supply. Flood Control. Natural Resource Protection. Park Improvements. Bonds. Initiative Statute.
Proposition 84 will fund water quality, flood control, natural resources, park and conservation projects by authorizing $5.4 billion in general obligation bonds. Fiscal Impact: The state cost over 30 years to repay the bond would be $10.5 billion; unknown state and local costs-potentially tens of millions of dollars annually.
A reflection on Catholic teaching:
"The present Pope has contributed to the development of Catholic Social Teaching as much as any of his predecessors. He has defined the religious heart of this teaching as 'the need for conversion to one's neighbour, at the level of community as well as of the individual'... That common good is the whole network of social conditions which enable human individuals and groups to flourish and live a fully, genuinely human life, otherwise described as 'integral human development'. All are responsible for all, collectively, at the level of society or nation, not only as individuals."
-The Common Good and the Church's Social Teaching, n. 48,
Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, 1996

Proposition 85: Waiting Period and Parental Notification before Termination of Minor's Pregnancy. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.
Proposition 85 will amend the constitution to prohibit abortion for an unemancipated minor until 48 hours after physician notifies minor's parent/guardian, except in medical emergency or with parental waiver; will mandate reporting requirements. Fiscal Impact: Potential unknown net state costs of several million dollars annually for health and social services programs.
A reflection on Catholic teaching:
"The family is the 'privileged community' wherein children are meant to grow in wisdom, stature and grace. We are counseled to work with public authorities to insure that the family's prerogatives are not usurped."
-Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2206-2209
"The Church must be committed to the task of educating and supporting... people involved in law-making, government and the administration of justice, so that legislation will always reflect those principles and moral values which... advance the common good "
-The Church in America, n. 19, Pope John Paul II, 1999

The California Catholic Bishops strongly support the passage of Proposition 85, saying: "We believe that society's common good is enhanced when family integrity is honored, parental responsibility is respected, and nascent human life is preserved... We strongly encourage Catholics in our state to share their time and treasure in promoting Proposition 85 as good public policy, and in exercising their citizenship in voting for it in November." (Calif. Bishops' Statement, Aug. 18, 2006

The California Pro-Life Council, Catholics for the Common Good, California Knights of Columbus, Catholics for 85 and many pro-life, pro-family groups also support Proposition 85, saying that it will allow Californians the right to counsel and care for their daughters before and after an abortion; there are similar laws that protect girls in over 30 states, where implementation resulted in decline of both minor pregnancy and abortion. (Websites: www.cacatholic.org; www.yeson85.net; www.caparentsrights.org; www.catholicsfor85.org).

Proposition 86: Tax on Cigarettes. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.
Proposition 86 will impose an additional $2.60 per pack excise tax on cigarettes and indirectly increases taxes on other tobacco products; will provide funding for various health programs-including coverage for children. Fiscal Impact: There will be an estimated increase of $2.1 billion in excise tax revenues in 2007-2008; as tax revenues decline, additional state financial support may be necessary.
A reflection on Catholic teaching:
"A just health care system will be concerned both with promoting equity of care-to assure that the right of each person to basic health care is respected-and with promoting the good health of all in the community. The responsible stewardship of health care resources can be accomplished best in dialogue with people from all levels of society, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity and with respect for the moral principles that guide institutions and persons."
-Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, U. S. Bishops, 2001

The Alliance for Catholic Health Care supports Proposition 86, saying: "Our Catholic tradition has long emphasized concern for those in need, particularly children. The Catholic health ministry has applied this concern to the health care needs of our communities... Passing Proposition 86 on November 7 is central to our common health and continuing the healing ministry of the Church."

Proposition 87: Alternative Energy. Research, Production, Incentives. Tax on California Oil Producers. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.
Proposition 87 will fund a $4 billion incentive program with a tax on California oil producers in order to reduce petroleum consumption. Fiscal Impact: Annual state oil tax revenues of $225 to $485 million; state and local revenue reductions up to tens of million of dollars annually.
A reflection on Catholic teaching:
"Certain elements of today's ecological crisis reveal its moral character... Many recent discoveries have brought undeniable benefits to humanity... Unfortunately, it is now clear that the application of these discoveries in the fields of industry and agriculture have produced harmful long-term effects. This has led to the painful realization that we cannot interfere in one area of the ecosystem without paying due attention both to the consequences of such interference in other areas and to the well-being of future generations."
-Peace with God the Creator, Peace with all of Creation, n. 6, Pope John Paul II, 1990

Proposition 88: Education Funding. Real Property Parcel Tax. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.
Proposition 88 will amend the constitution to impose a $50 parcel tax on each real property parcel in California to increase funding for public education. Fiscal Impact: The annual revenue would be $450 million.
A reflection on Catholic teaching:
"The Church values the democratic system inasmuch as it ensures the participation of citizens in making political choices, guarantees to the governed the possibility both of electing and holding accountable those who govern them... Authentic democracy is possible only in a State ruled by law, and on the basis of a correct conception of the human person. It requires that the necessary conditions be present for the advancement both of the individual through education and formation in true ideals, and of the 'subjectivity' of society through the creation of structures of participation and shared responsibility."
-Centisimus Annus, n. 46, Pope John Paul II, 1991

Proposition 89: Political Campaigns. Public Financing. Corporate Tax Increase. Campaign Contribution and Expenditure Limits. Initiative Statute.
Proposition 89 will provide eligible candidates public campaign funding by increasing tax on corporations and financial institutions by 0.2 percent. Funding. Fiscal Impact: An estimated $200 million will be raised annually.
A reflection on Catholic teaching:
"All Christians must be aware of their own specific vocation within the political community. It is for them to give an example by their sense of responsibility and their service of the common good. In this way they are to demonstrate concretely how authority can be compatible with freedom, personal initiative with the solidarity of the whole social organism, and the advantages of unity with fruitful diversity. They must recognize the legitimacy of different opinions with regard to temporal solutions, and respect citizens, who, even as a group, defend their points of view by honest methods. Political parties, for their part, must promote those things which in their judgment are required for the common good; it is never allowable to give their interests priority over the common good."
-Gaudium et Spes , n. 75, Vatican II, 1965

Proposition 90: Government Acquisition. Regulation of Private Property. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.
Proposition 90 will amend the constitution to bar government from condemning or damaging private property to promote other private projects or uses. Fiscal Impact: There will be increased government costs to pay property owners for losses to their property.
A reflection on Catholic teaching:
"The right to private property, acquired by work or received from others by inheritance or gift, does not do away with the original gift of the earth to the whole of mankind... The ownership of any property makes its holder a steward of Providence, with the task of making it fruitful and communicating its benefits to others, first of all his family. Goods of production --- material or immaterial --- such as land, factories, practical or artistic skills, oblige their possessors to employ them in ways that will benefit the greatest number. Those who hold goods for use and consumption should use them with moderation, reserving the better part for guests, for the sick and the poor. Political authority has the right and duty to regulate the legitimate exercise of the right to ownership for the sake of the common good."
-Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2402-2406