Top Twenty Reasons Why Proposition 1A is a Bad Idea

This is a flyer that local Kathy Neal, Mario Juarez, and I created and distributed at the California Democratic Convention a couple of weeks ago. Feel free to download the flyer and make some copies to give to your friends and neighbors — or email to friends across California.

1. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is for 1A

2. Tying the Legislature’s hands behind its back is the wrong way to do a budget - We’ve learned that with Props 13 and 98.

3. In times of recession, the need for State services increases.

4. Californians only receive 4 years of new taxes in exchange for a

permanent spending cap. Permanent cap, temporary revenues = BAD DEAL.

5. Allows short-term legislators to defer a real budget solution until they are gone

6. Proposes to fix a symptom rather than the underlying problem

7. True budget reform must address the structural deficit – 1A does not do this.

8. Constitutionally removes essential flexibility to deal with the State’s fiscal needs – prevents the Legislature and Governor from setting priorities essential to a particular time.

9. In financially difficult years will hold State spending at a level that is too low to guarantee

adequate services and in good years restricts State from increasing revenues

10. Undermines our system of checks and balances by allowing the Governor to unilaterally make mid-year cuts without consulting the Legislature

11. Hastily drafted, behind closed doors, in secret, in the dead of night, without a single hearing or independent analysis

12. Dictates a shift in spending that can’t be changed, regardless of future needs

13. Could require cuts to public education, health care, public safety and others in good times

14. Will not do what it promises and instead will lead to deep cuts in service

15. The League of Women Voters urges a NO vote

16. Most observers expect painful degradation of service

17. Mandates a permanent spending cap

18. Prohibits legislators from taking full advantage of additional revenues when California comes out of the recession

19. Shifts responsibility for future budget decisions away from the legislature and onto invisible state employees

20. Does not fix fundamental budget problem - California is one of only three states requiring a two-thirds legislative majority to pass a budget. Republicans continually hijack the process!