CRA Makes No Reccomendation on Prop 57/58

California Republican -Fresno County Special Edition | March 2004 | CRA

[Amerigomag]

Received my unsolicited copy of the Fresno County Special Edition of the Election Special-March 2004, California Republican newsletter in today's mail.

Noticably absent was any discussion of or recommendations regarding Prop 57/58 although Prop 55, Prop 56 and Cedillo's follow up to SB60 were discussed in some detail.

Whatsup?

[Amerigomag]

I was under the impression that the CRA had come out in support of Prop 57/58.

[So Cal Rocket]

CRA is OPPOSED to 57/58

http://www.ca-ra.org/primary.htm

[NormsRevenge]

hmm? interesting

[calcowgirl]

CRA Position

Ballot Propositions

            PROP 55          OPPOSE
            $12.3 Billion School Bond. Bond funds can only be repaid
            with tax dollars. We must either cut services or increase
            taxes to repay this bond.

            PROP 56          OPPOSE
            The Blank Check initiative eliminates the 2/3rds vote
            requirement for raising taxes and fees.

            PROP 57          OPPOSE
            PROP 58          OPPOSE
            Props 57 and 58 will cost an average California family more
            than $2,000 to repay this bond – without a penny going to
            build a single new school or road. $2,000 for nothing more
            than papering over the state’s deficit.
 

Looks like NO, NO, NO, NO to me!
Sure wish they'd put it in their email campaign.

[byteback]

Howard Jarvis supports 57/58

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.

[Amerigomag]

CRA is OPPOSED to 57/58

Thanks.

The issue then becomes why would they soft peddle the issue in the San Joaquin Valley which is largely opposed to 57/58? Preaching to the choir?

[NormsRevenge]

..Passing Prop. 57 will allow voters to put the Gray Davis era behind us...

Some might say it is a veiled continuation of the same mindset, for the most part,, and is letting the same demRats who got us this deep in the hole, off the hook scott-free.

[heleny]

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.

Prop 58 also overrides part of the state Constitution which was never done before this.

The state Constitution prohibits borrowing (issuing bonds) for spending on more than a single project or work.

Prop 58 allows an exception to that Constitutional protection against general spending bonds. While it's only once, for the Prop 57 bond, it nonetheless sets a precedent to allow future violations.

[heleny]

Noticably absent was any discussion of or recommendations regarding Prop 57/58

That's really strange. I would hardly think they thought it were obvious.

They did not endorse US Representative Elton Gallegly, who is running unopposed for the nomination in the 24th Congressional district. And, they did not endorse state Senator Tom McClintock, who is running unopposed for the nomination in the 19th state senate district. In these two cases, and for several other districts, there was no other choice on the Republican ballot.

[Amerigomag]

That's really strange.

Yes. Really odd.

As an aside, I noticed Saundra Duffy on a related thread and posed the question to her personally since she is on the local board.

Saundra is not usually bashful and when she elected not to respond it led me to believe something is not quite kosher.

[calcowgirl]

I think it has to do with the type of questions you ask.
FO is still caught in his own circular logic and hasn't come back! LOL.

On a serious note, it sure seems like a lot of groups were silenced over opposing any
of the bond measures. I'm glad to see the editorials hitting the papers. It's our only hope.