And then there is Proposition 84, a direct descendent of Meral's first such exercise, his 1988 measure to issue $776 million in park improvement bonds. Proposition 84 is a little more ambitious; it would authorize $5.4 billion in bonds for parks, watershed improvement and other environmental efforts, in part through grants to nonprofit conservation organizations that have contributed to the multimillion-dollar campaign to qualify and promote the measure. (emphasis added)
With the state budget mired in deficit and a political gridlock over taxes, ever-more tax, bond and spending decisions will be made by voters through the initiative process. Shouldn't those who write the measures be subject to the same conflict-of-interest and bribery laws that apply to legislators? (emphasis added)
I think this is one of the best Dan Walters Columns I've ever seen!!!
So much sleaze to expose--so little time!
My favorite quote about Prop 84 (so far):
"What water bond?" said Assemblyman Doug La Malfa (R-Richvale). "You mean the land acquisition bond?"