The Collegian

Issue date: 5/12/09 Section: Opinion

Media Credit: Gorby Lingad

At the beginning of this year, the state of California faced a $42 billion budget deficit. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the State Legislature battled for months over how to close this gap. Eventually, they settled on a variety of solutions including tax increases and mandatory days off for state workers. But some of the budget solutions can only be approved by the voters and so the governor has called a special election on May 19.

At stake are six propositions which will try and solve California's budget woes. However, some of the proposals are controversial: Prop 1D and 1E for example will raise money by transferring funds away from voter-approved programs devoted to young children and mental health organizations. If the measures fail, the governor and legislature will have to come up with a backup plan.

The following summarizes the pro and con arguments for each ballot measure.



Proposition 1A:



What it does: More than doubles the size of the state's rainy day fund. It hopes to raise $16 billion in tax revenue.

Pros: The proposal will impose a spending cap on the legislature in future years. The governor argues this type of fiscal reform will help prevent future budget crises.

Cons: Higher state taxes that were passed will remain in effect for two additional years.



Proposition 1B:



What it does: Sends money back to schools to offset recent cuts. Will only take effect if Prop 1A passes.

Pros: Will help an educational system battered by teacher pink slips and cut programs.

Cons: The prop guarantees that schools get same level of funding regardless of economic times. Opponents say recipe for disaster.



Proposition 1C:



What it does: Allows state to borrow funds from lottery to help with deficit. Lottery payments to schools would end, state makes higher payments instead.

Pros: Modernizes lottery, allows for greater profits for California.

Cons: The state will need to go further into debt while increased revenue will require increased gambling.



Proposition 1D:



What it does: Reduces funds from child development programs to offset deficit.

Pros: State will save cash by transferring $800 million to help with deficit.

Cons: Programs funded by this money will be negatively affected.

Proposition 1E:



What it does: Transfers funds from mental health programs to help deficit.

Pros: Over next two years, state will save $460 million.

Cons: Mental health services will face cutbacks. 



Proposition 1F:



What it does: Prevents legislators and other state elected officials from receiving pay raises in years when the state is in a deficit.

Pros: The public can punish lawmakers for their role in the budget crisis.

Cons: The proposal will not likely change voting habits.



While the governor and the legislature hope the measures pass, as of this writing, pre-election polls showed that five of the six propositions were failing. Only Prop 1F, which will have little effect on the budget, has support right now. But regardless of how you feel, it is important to go out and vote-this election is critical.

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