Posted on 03/26/2009 1:33:39 PM PDT by calcowgirl
Five state ballot measures aimed at solving California's budget crisis are falling short of the support needed to pass in the May special election, a sign that voters may force lawmakers into another fierce clash over tax hikes and spending cuts, according to a poll released Wednesday.
The state's dismal economy has already partly unraveled the budget deal that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature reached last month, with a drop in tax collections leaving a new $8-billion shortfall. Rejection of the ballot measures would widen the gap to nearly $14 billion.
The least popular measure, Proposition 1C, is also the one that state leaders are counting on most for immediate fiscal relief: It would let the state borrow $5 billion against future lottery revenues. The cost, to be paid over decades, would be billions in new interest obligations, and less lottery money to meet future spending needs.
The poll by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California found that Proposition 1C would lose in a rout if the May 19 election were held today, with 37% of likely voters in favor and 50% opposed.
Faring slightly better, but still decisively rejected, would be Proposition 1A. It would cap state spending while extending billions in temporary tax hikes for an extra two years. The survey found 39% of likely voters for the measure and 46% against it.
So far, Proposition 1A is the measure that has drawn the most attention. Conservatives on talk radio, enraged by the extension of the tax hikes, have made its defeat a top priority. Some labor unions are weighing whether to campaign against the spending cap.
The dynamics of the special election are volatile, and public opinion could swing dramatically once campaign advertising begins. ... 10% of likely voters are undecided ...
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Nobody’s falling for Schwareneggar and the Legislature’s trick propositions anymore...
how exactly would those ballot measures help their economy?
but once big screen TV’s and dark colored cars are banned maybe everything will be better?
Califunia
I hope you're right. It's all going to be about voter turnout, IMO.
Special elections don't usually attract a lot of folks.
5 No’s and a possible Yes on 1F (may be worth a closer look)
Why do we need ballot measures to force politicians to cap their spending?
Why can't these people that we send to Sacramento just do the jobs they were elected to do, and stop pushing the hard decisions onto the people via ballot measures?
-PJ
Let's see if I can describe it from Arnold's perspective.
He uses taxes upon taxes to increase revenues (not to mention fees, and more fees), then leverages that revenue to support more borrowing (did I mention more borrowing?), then spends the bond proceeds to create government jobs (or subsidize his buddies in the green-tech industry through massive environmental regulation) ... which will make the economy fantastic.
Understand? ;-)
Of course, there will be no recognition or acknowledgment by these people that their own socialist fiscal policies are what are causing their continued downturn in revenues.
He sure is thinning out the workforce quick reaching across the aisle for the common good and all.
I wonder how much it costs to have a special election?
I wonder how much it costs to have a special election?
You have broken every campaign promise that you made, Arnold, and have failed the people of Kalifornia.
Please go back to making movies.
Or just move out of the state...
Unsustainable borrowing to support unsustainable government projects that will not improve the economy.
some plan
From Special Elections in California:
Election Costs-PJSection 13001 of the state's Elections Code says all expenses for elections are to be paid from county funds. As special elections can be expensive, there is often resentment from local governments over their costs. In the past, special deals have been proposed to help the counties pay the costs. Governor Pete Wilson's 1993 special election included a payback to the counties. Under that plan, the legislature authorized the reimbursement to counties once the counties had assessed their election costs. The total cost of the election was around $30 million. More recently, the state declined to reimburse counties the $43 million election costs after the 2003 recall that put Schwarzenegger in office.
Gov. Schwarzenegger has already said that the state will bear the cost of the 2005 special election. Schwarzenegger's proclamation for the election calls for the Legislature to approve reimbursing the counties, either by passing a piece of legislation or from the 2006-07 state budget. The Secretary of State Bruce McPherson has estimated the election will cost between $44.6 million and $80 million. Some counties were already set to hold elections in November and adding the statewide propositions to the ballot will not bring an additional cost.
Thanks for the info!
Hookers and carnival barkers have more integrity. ;-)
I think I’ll vote for 1f, but a NO on all the others.
They need to raise taxes again to make up for the shortfall. And if the economy continues to to tank creating further short falls raise them again. Keep on raising them until the economy ceases to tank and the short falls are no more.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.