Ping .. Bump :-]
Heres the take from the Howard Jarvis taxpayers Association on the props:
---California Commentary
For the week of February 23, 2004
Sorting Out the Ballot Propositions
By Jon Coupal
In the early days of professional baseball, players just had numbers,
not names, on their jerseys. So while some popular players like Babe
Ruth (#3) were easy to recognize, others weren't. This helped the
teams make money, because you really couldn't tell the players without
buying a program. This was especially true if you were in the cheap
seats.
When it comes to trying to figure out which of the four March 2 ballot
propositions are which, it looks like all California voters are in the
cheap seats. Not only are the measures confusing -- with one
masquerading under an assumed name -- but to make matters worse, the
program that is supposed to help the voters identify the issues, the
Official Voter Information Guide, was sent in two parts.
For those having trouble sorting out which measures will help the
state budget, and which measure will make it easier to increase taxes,
here is a guide for taxpayers.
Proposition 55 is titled Kindergarten-University Public Education
Facilities Bond Act of 2004. This name is actually pretty
straightforward considering it was provided by the Legislature, which
is responsible for this measure.
Proposition 55 would provide another $12.3 billion for school
construction. Like all state bonds, it requires a simple majority vote
for passage. State bonds do not trigger a tax increase but they are
not free. They have first call on the general fund, which means that
before any other services are funded, the state must make its bond
payments.
While anything related to schools sounds good -- because as proponents
will say, "it's for the children" -- the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers
Association strongly urges a "no" vote on Proposition 55. Voters just
approved a $13.05 billion state school bond in November of 2002, and
local voters have approved an additional $21 billion in local school
bonds since 2001. The state is already paying off $73 billion in
approved debt and passing another $12.3 billion will mean there will
be that much less available to meet the state's other pressing needs.
Proposition 56 is calling itself the Budget Accountability Act, but
this is a fraud. If Proposition 56 were a business, the District
Attorney would be filing charges for dishonest advertising. It has
been rightfully labeled as the Blank Check Initiative by taxpayer
groups.
Promoters are touting Proposition 56 as way to rein in an
out-of-control Legislature, but what it really does is make it much
easier for lawmakers to increase taxes by eliminating Proposition 13's
mandate of a two-thirds vote. Yes on 56 television spots show actors
portraying legislators engaged in a food fight to demonstrate their
irresponsibility, which Proposition 56 is supposed to correct. The ad
better reflects the wild party lawmakers will be throwing if voters
make it easier for them to raise taxes by passing Proposition 56.
Governor Schwarzenegger opposes Proposition 56 and the Howard Jarvis
Taxpayers Association considers a "no" vote on Proposition 56 to be
the top priority for the coming election.
Proposition 57, called the Economic Recovery Bond Act by its backers,
at first glance gives fiscal conservatives the willies, but it is
important to recognize that this $15 billion bond it is not new debt.
It is a consolidation and refinancing of existing Gray Davis debt.
Last year, Gray Davis and a majority in the Legislature tried to force
massive debt on Californians without voter approval. Governor
Schwarzenegger is asking for permission to refinance this debt so he
can lead California out of its ongoing budget crisis without raising
taxes. Passing Prop. 57 will allow voters to put the Gray Davis era
behind us. Governor Schwarzenegger and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers
Association recommend a "yes" vote.
Proposition 58, the Balanced Budget Act would bar the state from
borrowing to meet operating expenses in the future -- or, as the
governor says, it will tear up the credit card. Propositions 58 and 57
are linked so one cannot pass without the other. The Howard Jarvis
Taxpayers Association joins Governor Schwarzenegger in recommending a
"yes" vote on both. However voters must be very careful not to confuse
the Balanced Budget Act (58) which is good, with the so-called Budget
Accountability Act (56) which would result in higher taxes.
For those who want to avoid confusion, all they need to remember when
voting on the four ballot propositions is No, No, Yes, Yes.
Jon Coupal is an attorney and president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers
Association -- California's largest taxpayer organization with offices
in Los Angeles and Sacramento.---
http://www.hjta.org/calcommentaryV2-08.htm