Props 2010/25/

PROPOSITION 25 -- MAJORITY VOTE FOR STATE BUDGET

Lowers the legislative vote required for adopting a state budget from two-thirds to a simple majority. Major funding support provided by California Federation of Teachers, AFSCME, California School Employees Association, California Faculty Association, and California Professional Firefighters. Major opposition funding provided by California Chamber of Commerce, The Wine Institute, MillerCoors, California Beer & Beverage Distributors, Crown Imports LLC, and ConocoPhillips.

Argument

From Bill Balderston:

Prop 25 - removing supermajority to pass the state budget ---YES, with very strong reservations

    This measure, emerging from language proposed by state senator Loni Hancock, is also rooted in the state budget process fiasco, but is at best a half-way measure. Unlike the proposed California democracy Act (which did not make the ballot), Prop 25 ONLY removes the two-thirds requirement for the passage of the state budget without addressing the supermajority for revenues. It's major supporters, including the California Federeation of Teachers, maintain it is a step towards democratization of the budget process and that polling indicates defeat on any such initiative dealing with taxation. Those more critical  of this measure see it as a potential source of frustration, especially in this age of massive defunding of state social programs, which could actually encourage many Democrats to make greater compromises on progressive spending because a simple majority is all that's necessary to pass the budget.

If one had more confidence in the forces backing this measure to follow up on the revenue equivalent, it would be easier to embrace and not perceive it as a bridge half-built that would leave us floundering mid-stream. In other words, if Prop. 25 passes, we're not sure if a movement to overturn the 2/3 requirement for raising revenues will actually be able to develop, and since that monumental revenue hurdle has arguably been the biggest single factor in destroying California's public sphere over the past 30 years, we're lukewarm in the extreme regarding our degree of support for Prop. 25.

Recommended Position

Yes/No/No Position

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