There are eight ballot measures being voted upon in the state of California. Come Nov. 8, if you live there, you'll need to make some tough decisions. Here's how I would vote on each of these propositions.

Proposition 73 requires a minor child to notify her parents before getting an abortion. The parents don't need to approve the abortion; they just need to know about it. This is dangerous because (1) parental notification laws are designed to make abortion more difficult to obtain; (2) this is an amendment to the state constitution, and (3) language in the measure refers to an embryo or fetus as an "unborn child." VOTE NO ON PROP. 73

Proposition 74 makes it easier to fire teachers. This is a Governator-backed ballot initiative focused on punishing teachers, who really don't like him. If Prop. 74 were passed, "permanent teachers who received two consecutive unsatisfactory performance evaluations" could be fired. These evaluations could come from anyone, including principals who don't like them or school board members who are trying to cut the budget by firing experienced teachers and hiring new, cheaper teachers. VOTE NO ON PROP. 74

Proposition 75 would mandate that public employees unions could not donate money to political candidates or organizations without the express, written consent of all their members. These organizations will never be able to get the express, written consent of all their members, so the ballot measure is designed to limit unions' freedom of speech. VOTE NO ON PROP. 75

Proposition 76 changes the state's budget process, most notably by giving the governor newer, broader authority to "unilaterally reduce state spending during certain fiscal situations." This is dangerous, especially for a governor who is a killer cyborg from the future and wants to cut social programs. VOTE NO ON PROP. 76

Proposition 77 changes the way the state draws congressional districts. As it is, the legislature draws new districts and the governor approves the changes. Under the system envisioned by Prop. 77, political districts would be drawn by retired judges (picked by the legislature) and the new districts would have to be approved by voters. This makes the redistricting process harder -- which is good -- and puts control in the hands of the voters. VOTE YES ON PROP. 77

Proposition 78 allows people who are too wealthy to qualify for Medicaid and too young to qualify for Medicare to receive discount prescription drugs. Proposition 79 is practically the same thing. Prop. 79 requires drug manufacturers to provide prescription drugs to the state at a discount, while Prop. 78 does not. On the flip side, the eligibility requirements for the program are explicitly listed in Prop. 78. Prop. 79 says that the State Department of Health Services will determine eligibility requirements. But Prop. 79 also establishes a drug-discount program to assist certain businesses, creates a panel to review drug prices, and makes it a civil violation for drug manufacturers to engage in profiteering from the sale of drugs. Prop. 79 does more for the people and the state than Prop. 78. VOTE NO ON PROP. 78; VOTE YES ON PROP. 79

Back in 1998, the California legislature voted to de-regulate the electric utilities industry. This, of course, was a disaster and led to rolling blackouts, high prices, and the Enron scandal. Proposition 80 repeals all of that de-regulation stuff, making the electric utilities once again regulated by the state. I think -- and someone correct me if I'm wrong -- that most states regulate electric utilities; Ohio certainly does, with PUCO (Public Utilities Commission of Ohio). VOTE YES ON PROP. 80

For more information, including the text of the legislation, legislative analyses, and arguments for and against each of these initiatives, visit the California Secretary of State's "Elections and Voter Information" page regarding these eight initiatives.