Source: Sac Bee Capitol Alert

The executive board of the California Democratic Party met over the weekend and voted the party’s position on 11 ballot measures (10 that have already qualified and one that is expected to be certified soon).In all, the party voted to support three measures on the ballot, to oppose six measures and to remain neutral on two more.

Several of the choices are of note.

• First, the party vote to oppose the redistricting measure backed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Democratic opponents of the initiative are trying to tag it as a Republican power grab, but the measure does count the support of some major Democrats, including Steve Westly and Angelo Tsakopoulos.

• The second interesting opposition position the party took was on an alternative energy measure to require that more of the state’s’ energy come from rewnewable resources.

Proponents of the measure blasted the party, issuing a statement that read, in part, that while “the Democrats failed to support critical efforts to combat global warming, they did move to protect California’s chickens and eggs.”

• The party took a neutral position on a second alternative energy measure that qualified late last week.

• Finally, the party remained neutral on the victims’ rights initiative bankrolled and written by Republican billionaire Henry T. Nicholas III, who was recently indicted and pleaded not gulity to drug, prostitution, bribery and securities fraud charges.

*Due to incorrect information provided by the party, the original version of this post reported the Democratic Party was neutral on the victims’ rights measure. The party opposes the measure.

Here’s the complete endorsement list:

High-speed rail bond: SUPPORT
Treatment of farm animals: SUPPORT
Children’s hospital bond: SUPPORT

Redistricting: OPPOSE
Parental notification for abortion: OPPOSE
Sentencing of nonviolent offenders: OPPOSE
Increased criminal penalties: OPPOSE
Renewable energy requirements (solar): OPPOSE
Same-sex marriage ban: OPPOSE

Criminal justice system, victims’ rights: NEUTRAL OPPOSE
Alternative fuels and renewable energy bond: NEUTRAL

Posted by Shane Goldmacher on June 17, 2008 7:00 AM