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Posted by: mturnipseed on 04/23/2009 12:56 PM
Updated by: mturnipseed on 04/23/2009 12:56 PM
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00 AM
May 19, 2009 Special Statewide Election Ballot Analysis
The Board of Directors of the Kern County Taxpayers Association has adopted the following positions on this May’s ballot propositions:
KERNTAX does not support Prop 1A.
KERNTAX does not support Prop 1B.
KERNTAX does not support Prop 1C.
KERNTAX does not support Prop 1D.
KERNTAX does not support Prop 1E.
KERNTAX does not support Prop 1F
PROPOSITION ANALYSIS
• Prop 1A STATE BUDGET. CHANGES CALIFORNIA BUDGET PROCESS.LIMITS STATE SPENDING. INCREASES “RAINY DAY” BUDGET STABILIZATION FUND.
Increases size of state “rainy day” fund from 5% to 12.5% of the General Fund.
A portion of the annual deposits into that fund would be dedicated to savings for future economic downturns, and the remainder would be available to fund education, infrastructure, and debt repayment, or for use in a declared emergency. Requires additional revenue above historic trends to be deposited into state “rainy day” fund, limiting spending.
ANALYSIS: Proposition 1A does not make the state’s budget process more transparent and accountable. It does the opposite, with few checks and balances.
KERNTAX DOES NOT SUPPORT PROP 1A.
• Prop 1B EDUCATION FUNDING. PAYMENT PLAN.
Requires supplemental payments to local school districts and community colleges to address recent budget cuts.. Annual payments begin in 2011–12. Payments are funded from the state’s Budget Stabilization Fund until the total amount has been paid. Payments to local school districts will be allocated in proportion to average daily attendance and may be used for classroom instruction, textbooks and other local educational programs.
ANALYSIS: Proposition 1B allows the Legislature to continue “borrowing” money from K-12 education and community colleges starting in 2011.with the promise that the state will kick in $9.3 billion to K-12 education and community colleges starting in 2011.
KERNTAX DOES NOT SUPPORT PROP 1B
• Prop 1C LOTTERY MODERNIZATION ACT.
Allows the state lottery to be modernized to improve its performance with increased payouts, improved marketing, and effective management. Requires the state to maintain ownership of the lottery and authorizes additional accountability measures.
Protects funding levels for schools currently provided by lottery revenues. Increased lottery revenues will be used to address current budget deficit and reduce the need for additional tax increases and cuts to state programs.
ANALYSIS: Proposition 1C, allows the state to borrow against future lottery money to fund this year's budget. It also promises to improve marketing of the lottery to sell more tickets. But by its nature, the lottery places a disproportionate burden on the poor, who are more likely to buy tickets. It's hard to see how this is "modernization."
KERNTAX DOES NOT SUPPORT PROP 1C.
• Prop 1D PROTECTS CHILDREN’S SERVICES FUNDING. HELPS BALANCE STATE BUDGET.
Provides more than $600 million to protect children’s programs in difficult economic times. Redirects existing tobacco tax money to protect health and human services for children, including services for at-risk families, services for children with disabilities, and services for foster children. Temporarily allows the redirection of existing money to fund health and human service programs for children 5 years old and under. Ensures counties retain funding for local priorities. Helps balance state budget.
ANALYSIS: Proposition 1D takes $1.6 billion currently committed to children's health services and preschool and throws it into the black hole called the state budget.
KERNTAX DOES NOT SUPPORT PROP 1D.
• Prop 1E MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FUNDING. TEMPORARY REALLOCATION. HELPS BALANCE STATE BUDGET.
Amends Mental Health Services Act (Proposition 63 of 2004) to transfer funds, for a two-year period, from mental health programs under that act to pay for mental health services for children and young adults provided through the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Program. Provides more than $225 million in flexible funding for mental health programs. Helps balance state budget during this difficult economic time.
ANALYSIS: Proposition 1E grabs $450 million that voters specifically directed to mental health services and gives it to the legislature for more irresponsible spending.
KERNTAX DOES NOT SUPPORT PROP 1E.
• Prop 1F ELECTED OFFICIALS’ SALARIES. PREVENTS PAY INCREASES DURING BUDGET DEFICIT YEARS.
Encourages balanced state budgets by preventing elected Members of the Legislature and statewide constitutional officers, including the Governor, from receiving pay raises in years when the state is running a deficit. Directs the Director of Finance to determine whether a given year is a deficit year. Prevents the Citizens Compensation Commission from increasing elected officials’ salaries in years when the state Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties is in the negative by an amount equal to or greater than one percent of the General Fund.
ANALYSIS: Proposition 1F naively hopes to prevent budget deficits by withholding raises for legislators and elected state officers if the state budget does not balance. It is not real reform. Freezing salaries will not loosen politicians’ commitment to their ideologies.
KERNTAX DOES NOT SUPPORT 1F.
California needs real reforms, not a flawed Statewide Special Election. These propositions do solve the issues our state faces. KERNTAX cannot support Props 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, and 1F.
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