Birth of the props

Here's a look at the 10 initiatives on the Nov. 4 ballot: what they do, where they came from and who's footing the bills. Two other measures, propositions 1A and 12, were placed on the ballot by lawmakers.

PROPOSITION 2

The pitch: Bans the confinement of calves, egg-laying hens and pregnant pigs in pens too small for them to stand up, lie down or turn around.

The origin: Part of an ongoing national campaign by the Humane Society of the United States.

Big contributors (through Sept. 21): Humane Society of United States - $3.4 million; Farm Sanctuary Inc. (New York-based anti-animal cruelty group) - $275,000; Leslie L. Alexander (owner of the Houston Rockets) - $100,000.

PROPOSITION 3

The pitch: Sells $980 million in bonds for capital improvement projects at 13 children's hospitals around the state.

The origin: California Children's Hospital Association.

Biggest contributors: Eight children's hospitals gave $850,000 each.

PROPOSITION 4

The pitch: Referred to by proponents as "Sarah's Law," this would change the state constitution to ban abortions for minors until 48 hours after physician's notification of minor's parents or guardian.

The origin: Main proponent is San Diego newspaper publisher James Holman. The proposal is part of a national effort to enact similar laws in each state. This is the third try in California.

Biggest contributors: Holman - $1.5 million; Don Sebastiani (Sonoma County winemaker) - $530,000; Carter Family Trust (La Jolla) - $100,000; Lenavee Family Trust (Irvine) - $100,000.

PROPOSITION 5

The pitch: Allocates $460 million a year for drug treatment programs for convicted drug users; shortens parole for certain drug offenders.

The origin: The Drug Policy Alliance, a New York-based national organization that fights against what it calls outdated and punitive drug laws.

Biggest contributors: George Soros (billionaire financier, philanthropist) - $1.4 million; Bob Wilson (retired Brooklyn investor, philanthropist) - $1.4 million; Jacob Goldfield ("self-employed" investor) - $1.4 million.

PROPOSITION 6

The pitch: Allocates $965 million a year for local law enforcement and jails. Also makes some 30 changes to state criminal laws dealing with gang-related offenses.

The origin: The Runners of Lancaster - state Sen. George Runner and his wife, Assemblywoman Sharon Runner, both Republicans.

Biggest contributors: Henry Nicholas III (billionaire hightech executive) - $1 million; Larry Rasmussen (Southern California real estate developer) - $200,000; George Runner for Senate committee: $50,000.

PROPOSITION 7

The pitch: Requires all California utilities to generate 20 percent of their power from renewable energy by 2010. The origin: Peter Sperling, a Phoenix billionaire who heads the Apollo Group, which operates the University of Phoenix system.

Biggest contributors: Sperling - $5.25 million; Jim Gonzalez (Sacramento political consultant) - $101,500.

PROPOSITION 8

The pitch: Amends state constitution to ban same-sex marriages.

The origin: A coalition of anti-gay marriage groups was working to put it on the ballot even before the state Supreme Court ruled last May that a state law banning gay marriages was unconstitutional.

Biggest contributors: National Organization for Marriage (a New Jersey-based anti-gay marriage group) - $1.4 million; Knights of Columbus (national Roman Catholic organization) - $1.25 million; Focus on the Family (Colorado-based Christian evangelical group) - $650,000.

PROPOSITION 9

The pitch: Referred to by supporters as "Marsy's Law," this would amend the state constitution to increase rights and role of victims in criminal proceedings; reduces the number of parole hearings to which prisoners are entitled.

The origin: This is another anti-crime measure sponsored chiefly by Broadcom billionaire Henry Nicholas III. Marsy Nicholas, a 1983 murder victim, was Nicholas' half sister. Biggest contributor: Nicholas - $4.9 million.

PROPOSITION 10

The pitch: Authorizes the sale of $5 billion in bonds to provide rebates to consumers buying alternative-fuel (such as natural gas) vehicles and to fund research into renewable fuel technology.

The origin: Clean Energy Fuels Corp., founded by Texas billionaire T. Boone Pickens, underwrote this measure. The company is the largest provider of natural gas for transportation purposes in North America.

Biggest contributors: Clean Energy Fuels Corp. - $3.7 million; Aubrey McClendon (CEO of Chesapeake Energy, an Oklahoma City-based firm that is one of the largest natural gas producers in the country) - $500,000; Westport Fuel Systems Inc. (which makes natural gas engines for big trucks) - $250,000.

PROPOSITION 11

The pitch: Amends the state constitution to strip the Legislature of power to redraw state Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization district boundaries, and creates a 14-member commission to do it instead.

The origin: California Common Cause and other civic groups were the chief architects of putting this on the ballot. It's the fifth time since 1982 that a redistricting plan has gone before California voters.

Biggest contributors: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's "California Dream Team" ballot measure committee - $2.8 million; Reed Hastings (CEO of Netflix) - $287,000; New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg - $250,000.

Source: Bee staff research

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