UC Davis professors available to comment on November ballot measures

The University of California, Davis, has the following experts who are available to comment on the major ballot measures pending in California's Nov. 2 election.

Marijuana, redistricting and budget votes — Propositions 19, 20, 25 and 27

Vikram Amar, professor of law and associate dean for academic affairs, can comment on several propositions including Proposition 19, which seeks to legalize and tax marijuana; Propositions 20 and 27, regarding redistricting; and Proposition 25, which would end the two-thirds vote requirement to pass the state budget. Amar writes, teaches and consults in constitutional law, civil procedure and remedies. Contact: Vik Amar, School of Law, (530) 752-8808, (925) 858-8855 (cell), vdamar@ucdavis.edu.

Dan Simmons, professor of law, specializes in state and local tax policy, and federal income taxation of business organizations and individuals. He was professor-in-residence in the Office of the Chief Counsel of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service from 1986 to 1987. Simmons can comment on Proposition 19, the marijuana measure. "Legalization of marijuana is not a tax issue,” he says. “The issue depends on other factors. Nonetheless, bringing this robust agricultural commodity into the tax system will raise significant revenue.” Contact: Dan Simmons, School of Law, (510) 987-0711, daniel.simmons@ucop.edu.

Global warming and parks — Propositions 23 and 21

Mark Schwartz, professor of environmental science and policy and director of the UC Davis John Muir Institute of the Environment, can comment on Proposition 21 and the role of California state parks in protecting California's ecosystems while providing recreational opportunities. Schwartz can also comment on the potential costs to California taxpayers in delaying the mitigation of greenhouse gases through Proposition 23. These costs include increased coastal vulnerability, decreased food security and potentially jobs. Contact: Mark Schwartz, John Muir Institute of the Environment, (530) 754-9135; mwschwartz@ucdavis.edu.

Daniel Sperling, a leading international expert on environmental and transportation policy, is the founding director of the UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies. He can comment on the potential impact of Proposition 23 and the role of transportation in attaining the greenhouse gas reductions prescribed by AB 32. Sperling is the author of the 2009 book, "Two Billion Cars." Contact: Daniel Sperling, Institute of Transportation Studies, (530) 752-7434, dsperling@ucdavis.edu.

Redistricting — Propositions 20 and 27

Erik Engstrom, an associate professor of political science, has researched and written about the politics of redistricting, malapportionment, congressional realignments and the incumbency advantage. Contact: Erik Engstrom, Political Science, (919) 323-6739, ejengstrom@ucdavis.edu.

The initiative process

Law professor Floyd Feeney specializes in election law and initiatives. He is co-author of two books on initiatives, "Lawmaking by Initiative: Issues, Options and Comparisons" and "Improving the California Initiative Process: Options for Change." In 2000-01 he served as legal adviser to the Speaker's Commission on the California Initiative Process. He also teaches election law. Contact: Floyd Feeney, School of Law, (530) 752-2893, fffeeney@ucdavis.edu.

Media Resources

News Service

Sylvia Wright, UC Davis News Service, (530) 752-7704, swright@ucdavis.edu

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