Not really a surprise for people who follow CA state politics. What was shocking were the reports on radio and television, which I couldn't find in print anywhere. Only 17% of registered voters bothered to show up--turnout was so low that reporters trying to cover the election by going to polling places often found no one to talk to, even in normally very crowded voting venues like San Francisco City Hall. Also, not one COUNTY voted in favor of any of the five budget propositions, which had been heavily promoted by Sacramento politicos and the ordinarily sacrosanct Teacher's and Firefighter's Unions, among others.CBS/AP wrote:California's seemingly endless fiscal problems were back in the spotlight Tuesday night as voters largely rejected a complex slate of six ballot propositions designed to keep the state from sliding further toward fiscal calamity.
Election night returns mirrored what recent polls by CBS 5 and other groups had showed, with voters rejecting the five propositions directly related to budget matters. The ballot measures included a mix of reforms, higher taxes, borrowing and funding shifts.
The one measure they approved was Proposition 1F, which will prohibit raises to lawmakers and other state elected officials during deficit years.
"Obviously, it's disappointing," said Assemblywoman Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa, chairwoman of the Assembly Budget Committee. "But I think the voters are sending a message that they believe the budget is the job of the governor and Legislature. We probably need to go back and do our job."
The overwhelming defeat of the special election package means California will have to cut about 20 percent of its general fund spending to balance the budget through mid-2010.
"Tonight we have heard from the voters and I respect the will of the people who are frustrated with the dysfunction in our budget system," Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said late Tuesday night. "Now we must move forward from this point to begin to address our fiscal crisis with constructive solutions."
And because of the failure of Schwarzenegger's lynchpin measure -Proposition 1A - which would have capped state spending while extending a series of tax increases, the fiscal roller coaster he has complained about since taking office is likely to continue.
Here's a look at the decisions on the six statewide propositions and their impact:
Props. 1A: Voters Reject Spending Restraint, Tax Hikes
California voters rejected a ballot measure that would have created a state spending cap while prolonging temporary tax increases.
Proposition 1A was the centerpiece of efforts by Schwarzenegger and other state leaders to fix California's ongoing fiscal problems. It also would have strengthened the state's rainy day fund.
The measure's defeat meant Proposition 1B, which would have restored more than $9 billion to schools, could not be enacted even if voters had approved it. That measure also was defeated.
Proposition 1A generated the most opposition among the six measures on Tuesday's ballot. State employee unions opposed the spending cap, while anti-tax groups criticized the $16 billion in tax increases it would have triggered.
Prop. 1B: Voters Reject School Funding Measure
Voters rejected a ballot measure to give California schools first crack at about $9.3 billion in state funding they say they're owed.
Proposition 1B would have repaid the money over several years once the state set up a stronger rainy day fund. It was tied to another measure that failed, Proposition 1A.
Proposition 1B was part of a compromise deal Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders worked out with the powerful California Teachers Association.
The union argued schools were entitled to the funding under a landmark school funding measure that voters approved in 1998.
Prop. 1C: Voters Reject Lottery Borrowing
Voters rejected Proposition 1C, which would have authorized the state to borrow $5 billion against future lottery earnings.
The Lottery Modernization Act would have authorized larger jackpots. Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders said doing so would have encouraged more players, boosting revenue.
The $5 billion in bonds they said the state would have received in the coming fiscal year would have been repaid, with interest, from those additional earnings.
The measure also would have given the Legislature power to do more borrowing against lottery revenue in the future. Schwarzenegger said the state will now have to make deeper cuts in programs and staffing.
Prop. 1D Defeated: Voters Keep Funding For Young Children
Californians don't want to steer funding from young children to help the state's struggling finances.
Voters rejected Proposition 1D, leaving $1.7 billion in a program that voters created 11 years ago for children age 5 and under.
Lawmakers in February proposed redirecting money from the program known as First 5 as part of a budget deal intended to help close the state's $42 billion deficit.
The program is funded through higher tobacco taxes. Critics argued the measure would be a blow to a program that each year takes in less money as fewer Californians smoke.
Lawmakers had warned they would have to make cuts in other children's programs if voters rejected the measure.
Prop. 1E Rejected: Voters Shield Mental Health From Budget Woes
Voters told lawmakers not to take money from mental health programs to help close the state deficit by rejecting Proposition 1E.
Lawmakers put the measure on the ballot in hopes of transferring $460 million over the next two years from mental health services.
It was backed by Senate President Darrell Steinberg who championed the original 2004 initiative that taxed millionaires to raise funds for mental health programs.
The Democrat from Sacramento had argued lawmakers were faced with difficult choices in a deepening recession.
Critics had warned the measure would cost the state more in the long run if mentally ill people were left without treatment.
Prop. 1F: Voters OK Capping Lawmaker Pay During Deficit Years
If California is running a deficit, lawmakers shouldn't get a raise.
Voters approved Proposition 1F, capping pay raises for lawmakers and statewide officials whenever state government runs a deficit.
While lawmakers put the measure on the ballot as part of the state budget package intended to close the deficit, its passage will have little effect on the state's finances.
The measure was pushed by Democrats to get state Sen. Abel Maldonado of Santa Maria to vote for the budget compromise in February.
The Republican's vote was essential to reaching the Legislature's two-thirds vote requirement for the state spending plan and tax increases.
The bolded part was too funny not to note. Ya THINK?
