The time and signature requirements will be the same. Perhaps they will be more successful this time if they have a better idea of what to expect. But, maybe they'll again be overshadowed, this time by the upcoming general election campaign for the next three months; there are 14 propositions on this ballot.
Money and media exposure were definitely different in 1994. There was no support from the GOP for the expired effort this year, unlike in 1994 when the GOP helped financially (for the statutory initiative, which required only 5% of the last vote for Governor) and when Governor Pete Wilson campaigned strongly for it.
This year there was no money for paid signature gatherers or ads, since the GOP is different today, but perhaps the SOS people had been too optimistic about eexpecting any GOP support. Without much exposure, there wasn't sufficient interest.
The website of the expired effort doesn't have the information anymore http://www.save187.com/. Ron Prince was the author of the original 187 and this year's earlier SOS effort. I doubt there were problems with the writing; besides, even if there were, it probably wouldn't have affected the signature gathering much.
Thanks for the info.