Statewide June Election Could Make Things WorsePaul Hogarthbyline‚ Feb. 03‚ 2009With the state bankrupt and giving I.O.U.’s instead of tax refunds, the California legislature is expected to vote on a mid-year budget later this week. It’s bound to have horrific cuts, but no one has details because it’s being crafted in secret negotiations with the “Big Five” (Governor + party leaders in each chamber.) Democrats control 63% of the legislature, but the “two-thirds rule” lets Republicans run the show. And the minority refuses to vote for a single tax increase – unless Democrats agree to kill the eight-hour workday (and other similar extortions.) Everyone thinks a statewide special election is inevitable, which could help us get meaningful budget reform. But June 2nd would be a terrible time to do it, because none of the needed fiscal reforms would be on the ballot. Instead, we’d have the Governor’s awful proposal to borrow money off future lottery revenue – and a deeply insidious proposal to cap state spending. While San Francisco has no choice but to call a June special election (or else cut half of its General Fund), the state musn’t go full speed ahead. |