Proposition 82: No. This poorly designed ballot measure would impose a new tax, set up a cumbersome bureaucracy to oversee preschools, make a taxpayer-funded program available to families who can pay their own way and require preschool teachers to get a bachelor's degree and a special credential.
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LOS ANGELES COUNTY
Supervisor, 1st District: Gloria Molina. Molina should be allowed to continue challenging a closed and often secretive county culture.
Supervisor, 3rd District: Zev Yaroslavsky. Yaroslavsky is pragmatic and conscientious, and he has been a careful guardian of the county budget.
Sheriff: Lee Baca. Two terms may have been enough for the innovative and erratic sheriff, but none of his challengers is up to the job.
Assessor: Rick Auerbach. The current assessor does a good job valuing each of the county's parcels of property to make sure they are taxed properly.
Superior Court Office No. 8: Alan H. Friedenthal. He already performs excellent work as a Los Angeles Superior Court commissioner.
Office No. 18: Daviann Mitchell. The gang prosecutor is the best candidate in a crowded field of six.
Office No. 28: Judith L. Meyer. An outstanding candidate, she was one of only two to be evaluated as "exceptionally well qualified" by the Los Angeles County Bar Assn.
Office No. 95: Susan L. Lopez-Giss. She brings more than 30 years as an innovative prosecutor and civil practitioner in the city attorney's office.
Office No. 102: Hayden Zacky. His prosecutorial experience, demeanor and presence make him ready to serve as a judge.
Office No. 120: Dzintra Janavs. This experienced judge, rated "exceptionally well qualified" by the L.A. County Bar Assn., deserves another term.
Office No. 122: Daniel J. Lowenthal. He has a breadth of experience in both civil and criminal matters in the Los Angeles city attorney's office.
Office No. 144: David W. Stuart. This capable prosecutor is the best candidate in a field of seven.
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ORANGE COUNTY
Sheriff: Ralph Martin. A commander in the L.A. County Sheriff's Department, Martin has the manner and the management skills to pull the Orange County Sheriff's Department together and end the turbulent stewardship of Michael S. Carona.
