When the time came to make a decision on the propositions, it was with a heavy heart that I chose to oppose Prop 1A. I understand the difficult position that the legislators face. Republicans in the Legislature are amusing themselves with death-talk of the California state government. It really is quite scary stuff. Yet despite the loaded gun pointing to our head, it is imperative that California has a government moving towards a more functioning structure, not in the other direction.
And that is the problem with Prop 1A. It moves us in the wrong direction. It moves us towards more hurdles, not less. Whether it is or isn’t a spending cap (depending on who you talk to) isn’t as important when it is considered in the context that this is one additional layer of dysfunction on top of an already dysfunctional system. During my appearance on KALW’s Your Call Radio (podcast here), I had a chance to discuss the problems with Prop 1A, and truly this is the one that would really leave a welt on our governance going forward.
It is because of this dysfunction that I will be working with the No on Prop 1A campaign for the next month leading up to the election trying to get the message out about why this proposition is wrong for California. This is a progressive campaign, funded and led by progressive organizations like the SEIU state council, the California Federation of Teachers, and the California Faculty Association. It is imperative that there be a progressive voice explaining why Prop 1A is wrong for California rather than just leaving the opposition to be defined by the ravings of the Howard Jarvis Tax Association and their fellow anti-government winger friends. And that is all the more important with the polling now showing disastrous numbers for Prop 1A. In a CBS 5/SurveyUSA poll 42% of voters said they certain to vote ‘No’, while 29% were certain to vote ‘Yes.’ All of the demos for this are horrible, with none exceeding 36% support. There are a lot of reasons for that, but it is critical that California’s leaders understand that HJTA doesn’t speak for us, but that Californians really want a well-functioning government for the long-term.
As always, I’ll disclose my affiliation when discussing Prop 1A. However, as a point of transparency, I was neither a part of the campaign nor in discussions with the campaign before we released the Calitics Ed Board endorsements on the special election.
Now that that is out of the way, I look forward to working to defeat this measure. If you have any questions for the campaign, please email me. I’ll do my best to answer them or direct you to somebody who can. If you’d like more information about Prop 1A, you can check out our *brand spanking new website, follow us on Twitter and join our group on Facebook.
But here’s a prediction so i can be held to it.
– All props fail
– Dems try and pass a “fee” based TAX solution
– Arnold either Vetoes again or the Supreme Court shoots it down (rightfully so)
– With state on the verge of recievership Marijuana is legalized and taxed
– Our budget issues stableized (for the moment) Democratic self important twit Newsom/Villaragosa loses election to Republican self important twit Whitman/Poizner
I could be wrong but life will go on either way.
the mailer!!!!????
But we are now in a time of great danger and great opportunity.
I’m really worried about screwing the education system short term (I have one in high school and one in State College). But I won’t stand for blackmail by the anti-tax pitbulls or the corporate interests holding their leash.
The time is ripe. I think we can sell voters on the idea that politicians who promise LESS government have only delivered BAD government.
While I respect your decision, you should also outline YOUR May 20th plan in advance with realistic solutions that will pass the legislature and be signed into law by the Governor.
Just saying no is easy. Providing a solution that will pass muster within the structure we’re dealing with is an entirely different ball game.
I look forward to your posts and tweets that provide an alternative to what our Democratic leaders have put on the ballot.
P.S. — It was great being on radio with you the other day. Let’s do it again!
I am new to Calitics. My instinct is also to vote no on these propositions. I hate that I will vote with the Howard Jarvis movement in the next election. I want the state legislature to be able to deal with our problems. The propositions are easily bought by big money. I will be watching for reporting on a legislative proposal to our budget. Is California the canary for the US in terms of the Grover Norquist plan?