[Andy'smom]

Well I hope you have more luck than we here in Mass. did. Our legislature wouldn’t allow the question to even be placed on the ballot despite having gathered the largest number of signatures for any petition in the state’s history.

[Dilbert San Diego]

Yep, I heard the legislature in Mass. adjourned rather than deal with it. They didn’t want a gay marriage debate in an election year. Well, they got it anyway, just in a different state.

[Right Cal Gal]

The legislature has no say in the putting of propositions and initiatives on the California ballot, which is the beauty of the system here. They would NEVER have passed Proposition 13, which requires that any new taxes must be submitted to voters, must pass by 2/3rds majority, and caps property taxes in all counties at 1%.

Although at times it can be a burden. There was one election where I believe we had something like 28 propositions on the ballot - essentially doing the legislature’s job for them.

[CdMGuy]

Unlike Mass., the proposition does not need Legislature approval. It needs the Secretary of State to certify that it has sufficient voter signatures and that its wording complies with the state’s requirements on propositions which usually means the proposition itself covers only one subject. In the event, the Sec’y of State finds some reason to throw it out, that problem will be corrected, new signatures will be secured, and it will go on the next statewide election ballot. Presuming the propostion makes it on the ballot, it will win by a very wide margin.

This all came about because that slime ball of a mayor in SF, Gavin Newsom, forced it into the courts by violating current state marriage license laws. If you do not remember Newsom, he is the piece of work, who slept with the wife of his election campaign manager - one of his best friends. How’s that for a nice guy?

[combat_boots]

“despite having gathered the largest number of signatures for any petition in the state’s history”

I’d say that’s unconsitutional by anyone’s reckoning, but that’d be obvious.

[goldstategop]

Unlike Massachusetts, California has the initiative and the people can override the courts if they want. Its an outrageous decision that's a deep affront to social order and moral rules.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus