Free Republic

California news radio reports that Jessica's Law, just passed overnight by the voters, was already been ruled unconstitutional pending appeal. It was unclear from the report which court made the ruling (I believe the ACLU promptly filed suit after last night's election) and the court reportedly ruled that the law is unconstitutional because it unfairly seeks to punish people.

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (AP) - Defending his special election before an audience of voters, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Monday said his "year of reform" ballot initiatives are crucial to continue the changes he started after taking office two years ago. He cast the Nov. 8 election as the next step of the 2003 recall election that propelled him to office. Voters, he said, sent him to Sacramento to rebuild the state's economy and fix a moribund political system. After 400,000 new jobs and billions in new revenue, it was time for him to enter Act II, he said. "Now is...

Pro Prop 80 Advocates Still T.U.R.N.-ing to the Hackneyed "Enron" Cliché Proponents and opponents of California Proposition 80 to re-regulate electricity on the November special election ballot both contend that voting YES or NO respectively would bring about lower electric rates. The state Legislative Analyst has concluded that there is no way of knowing which position or system might bring about lower electric rates. Pro Prop 80 advocates are using the overworked cliches "No More Enrons" and "No More Power Crises" to galvanize public opinion in favor of Prop 80. But are these slogans helpful or are they just "clichés...

Proposition 80 calls itself the Repeal of Deregulation and Blackout Prevention Act. The title combines a false premise and a false promise. Deregulation is already repealed, at least the wretchedly wrongheaded parts of it. And passing this proposition wouldn't improve the odds against blackouts. We recommend a ``no'' vote Nov. 8. Sponsored by the Utility Reform Network, a consumer group, the initiative would return the state to a utility-dominant system of the past. Otherwise, it warns, unscrupulous energy barons will pillage California as they did during the energy crisis of 2000 and 2001. But they can't. What was wrong during...

SAN FRANCISCO - Citing the need for jobs, the state Public Utilities Commission decided Thursday to let PG&E and Southern California Edison offer 25 percent electricity rate discounts to persuade employers to stay or expand in California or move here. Job losses are "a hidden tax on every Californian," said PUC member Susan Kennedy, who sponsored the discount proposal aimed especially at light manufacturers, steel and plastic makers, food processors and cement producers.The panel voted unanimously to overturn an administrative law judge's decision that termed the discounts "an attractive lure that will draw free riders" and cause a multimillion-dollar revenue...

I've been getting calls about the various ballot propositions for the Special Election. Here's how I see them: Proposition 73: Parental Notification for Abortion. If parental consent is required for a child to use a tanning booth or get her ears pierced, shouldn’t parents at least be notified if she’s getting an abortion? YES. Whether you’re pro-life or pro-choice, this should be the all-time no-brainer. Proposition 74: Teacher Tenure. Do parents have a right to expect a higher level of competence before a teacher is granted life-time tenure? YES. This modest measure simply increases the teacher probation period from two...

The following initiatives have qualified for California's Nov. 8 special election ballot. Propositions 74, 76 and 77 are part of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's "year of reform" package. PROPOSITION 73, PARENTAL PERMISSION FOR ABORTION: A constitutional amendment promoted by anti-abortion activists that would require girls 17 and younger to get parental permission to receive an abortion. It is opposed by abortion-rights organizations that say many minors live in homes where they risk emotional abuse or physical violence, or where the pregnancy is a result of incest. PROPOSITION 74, TEACHER TENURE: Would increase the time required for public school teachers to gain...

SACRAMENTO – A Sacramento court ordered another initiative off California's November ballot Friday – an attempt by consumer advocates to re-regulate the state's electricity market. A three-judge panel of the 3rd District Court of Appeal ruled that Proposition 80 was "unquestionably invalid on its face" because it would give broader powers to the Public Utilities Commission. The court said the state constitution only allows the Legislature to increase the PUC's jurisdiction. It would take a constitutional amendment to change that requirement but Proposition 80 would only enact a statute, the justices added. "Without such an amendment, Proposition 80 attempts to...

Proposition 73 would require notifying parents when a minor seeks an abortion, Proposition 74 would extend the probation period for new teachers from two to five years. Proposition 75 would require public employee unions to get annual written permission from members to use dues for campaign contributions. Proposition 76 would limit state spending, alter minimum school funding requirements, require the governor to cut appropriations in certain circumstances and impose prior year appropriations when there's a budget deadlock in the Legislature. Proposition 77 is an attempt to take the power to draw legislative and congressional districts away from the Legislature and...