06.28.10: November Ballot Almost Complete
By David Walrath
June 24 was the last day for the Legislature to place a measure on the November Ballot and the last day for the Secretary of State to certify an initiative for the November Ballot. While the Secretary of State date is set in concrete, the legislative date is set in jello. The Legislature can and does place proposals on ballots well after the date specified for citizen initiatives.
Because of the difficulties in enacting a state budget, it is possible that some members will want a ballot proposal to ensure that budget deals are not overturned by whoever becomes the next Governor. Also the new proposed State School Bond in AB 220 will be considered for addition to the ballot. In the Legislature, deadlines are only as real as the Legislature wants them to be real. Otherwise the rules, current law and possibly the State Constitution will be waived. In addition to the water bond, the following proposals probably will see the most significant campaigns:
- Legalize and Tax Marijuana Use
- Suspend AB 32 Global Warming Initiatives
- Repeal Recent Corporate Tax Reductions (CTA Sponsored)
- Protect Local Funds from State Loans and Transfers (Local Government Sponsored)
The other qualified Propositions should have lower levels of Campaign Intensity:
- Add Congress to the Citizens Redistricting Process
- Repeal the Citizens Redistricting Process
- Allow the State Budget to Pass by Simple Majority Vote
- Increase to Two-thirds the Legislative Vote Requirement for Fees
- Fund State Parks Through Increased Vehicle License Fees.
The State Budget Conference Committee does not have a set meeting schedule and will not have one until the Senate Democrats and the Assembly Democrats agree on a budget plan. Their negotiations continue.
