A Guide to the Latest Bananas Ballot Developments

Earlier this week I commiserated with an L.A.-based journalist on Twitter, since both of us were prepping presentations breaking down the massive #bananasballot.

On top of the 17 statewide measures, he lamented, Los Angeles also has six local measures. “That’s cute,” I told him. “San Diego has 12.” Fourteen if you count the two countywide measures!

Earlier this month, we published this straightforward guide to each of those local measures.

Since then, we’ve vetted several of them in more detail.

I’m a distance runner, and think approaching this ballot like you would a race might make it less intimidating. Don’t think about the whole big, long, scary thing. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other – story by story, guide by guide, explainer by explainer – and eventually you’ll realize you’re pretty prepared for Nov. 8 after all.

Here’s a roundup of the latest stuff we learned about the ballot this week.

Measure A

The proposed sales tax hike to fund transit, road and conservation projects is dividing the candidates for county supervisor District 3. Sort of.

County Supervisor Dave Roberts, who’s running for re-election, won’t actually say whether he supports the measure, though he did call it “good” and challenge its opponents to suggest something better.

Republican Kristin Gaspar, who’s challenging Roberts, said she doesn’t think cities were consulted enough over the measure and that the controversy it’s generated is a sign it’s not right for the county.

Maya Srikrishnan has also examined claims that the measure wouldn’t give a “fair share” of funding to North County, and that it would help relieve traffic.

Measure B

At first glance, Measure B – which asks voters to OK Lilac Hills Ranch, a sprawl development in rural Valley Center – is just about one project.

But its approval would also set some big precedents for development countywide. If it goes through, for example, you should expect to see more big projects on your ballots instead of trying to go through the County Board of Supervisors.

Neither of the candidates for county supervisor District 3 – on the advice of lawyers – will reveal their position on Measure B, since related issues might come before the board. But they once again differ when it comes to how to tackle the county’s overall housing crisis.

Measure C

If Measure C, the Chargers’ plan to build a convadium, goes through, it would likely mean the end of the historic Wonder Bread building as we know it.

And it wouldn’t be the first time the building’s owner has been forced to surrender a property for a downtown stadium.

The Chargers, however, are trying to assure folks in nearby neighborhoods a new stadium wouldn’t push them out. Not all residents are buying it.

Another part of the Chargers’ push is the claim that approving a new stadium would relieve the city from having to spend $15 million on Qualcomm each year. That’s not exactly true.

Rep. Scott Peters, meanwhile, is making the case that the various costs and considerations of a new stadium are very much worth it.

Measure J

Lisa Halverstadt exposed some bubbling opposition to Measure J, a parks bond meant to expedite and fund projects at Mission Bay Park and other regional parks.

When Mayor Kevin Faulconer announced the measure, it seemed pretty noncontroversial. But some Mission Bay Park supporters now worry it could harm their favorite park more than help it.

Around the State

Some cities and counties across California are moving to tackle homelessness through ballot measures. San Diego, though, isn’t one of them – and Lisa Halverstadt dug into why.

And then there are those 17 statewide measures. This week, LA Weekly published this cool piece that explains each one with a haiku.

This more traditional guide from CalMatters is also quite handy.