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About the Measures
PROPOSITION 1A
Puts restrictions on how the state can spend unanticipated revenues, meaning tax receipts that come in above the average of the previous 10 years.
The extra money must first be spent to fulfil school spending obligations, to pay off debt and to boost the state’s rainy day fund, which would grow from 5% of the general fund to 12.5%. Money left over could only be spent on specified items such as public works or tax cuts.
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Tuesday ballot inspires apathy
SACRAMENTO -- Pessimistic and dissatisfied with state leaders, California voters will head to the polls Tuesday to take up several state budget measures that those same leaders crafted.
Last November seems a lifetime away, when an enthused electorate turned out in record numbers to elect Barack Obama president and weigh in on several high-profile propositions, including approving a ban on same-sex marriage.
It's no surprise, then, that far fewer voters are tuned into Tuesday's special election. Esoteric phrases like "budget stabilization account" and "temporary reallocation" are the operative language now, rather than the simple "change" anthem that carried the day last fall.
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Valley voters often of two minds
The central San Joaquin Valley was all over the map in Tuesday's historic election.
In many ways, it confirmed its reputation as a conservative stronghold akin to Orange County and the Inland Empire. But it also provided plenty of head-scratching results that surprised political observers.
"It's a mystery," said Michael Der Manouel Jr., a local political strategist and chairman of the Lincoln Club of Fresno County, an organization that promotes Republicans.
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Governor gives in on rail bill
SACRAMENTO -- Breaking his "no budget-no bills" pledge, Gov. Schwarzenegger on Tuesday signed legislation meant to improve the chances of a $9.9 billion high-speed rail bond measure on the Nov. 4 ballot.
The reversal comes three weeks after the governor vowed to ignore any bills sent his way until lawmakers agree on a state budget, now 58 days late. He even said "some good bills will fail."
He changed his mind because "the governor believes that just because the Legislature is over two months late in doing their job, that should not keep Californians from voting on these important measures," said his press secretary, Aaron McLear.
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Farm groups oppose Prop. 87
With a backdrop of John Deere tractors, leaders of three key central San Joaquin Valley farm groups Tuesday voiced their opposition to Proposition 87, the November ballot measure that would tax oil producers to pay for alternative energy programs.
They were joined at Fresno Equipment Co. by a Reedley citrus grower, who said the measure would make it more difficult to compete in a worldwide marketplace, and by the manager of a Kingsburg farming operation, who said increased costs for fuel would hurt workers and operators of nonfarm businesses.
"None of us disagrees with the idea of seeking energy alternatives," said Joel Nelsen, who heads California Citrus Mutual in Exeter. "But the idea of putting a tax on our oil and gasoline that will drive up costs is incomprehensible."
Fresno was the site of not one, but two news conferences Wednesday in opposition to key ballot initiatives in the upcoming May 19 special election.
Near Fresno City College, the Fresno League of Women Voters joined with Fresno community college faculty to announce opposition to Proposition 1A, the linchpin in a deal between lawmakers from both parties and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that raises broad taxes on most state residents, borrows heavily and slices deeply into state services.
If approved by voters, Prop. 1A would extend $16 billion in tax hikes, strengthen a rainy-day fund and constrain future state spending.
Opponents on Wednesday posted the entire 3,000-word text of the initiative and challenged people to decipher the fine print.
Terri Figgs, legislation director of the Fresno League of Women Voters, said the initiative was "hastily written, with no public hearings, by the governor and legislature in Sacramento. We all want to fix the budget, but even after reading all the small print in Prop. 1A, you cannot find a single thing it does to help solve the immediate budget crisis."
As opponents of Prop. 1A gathered, those in opposition to Prop. 1D did the same at Stone Soup, a nonprofit that serves Southeast Asian refugees in Fresno.
They said the proposition would force deep cuts in child protection.
The proposition would redirect tobacco-tax funds from early education programs to the state's general fund.
"This is a very dangerous initiative," said Sheila Boxley, president of the Child Abuse Prevention Center, in the Sacramento suburb of North Highlands. "Voters need to know just how high a price children and taxpayers would pay if Proposition 1D passes."
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