The Field Poll just released their survey on approval ratings (PDF) on Gov. Brown and the Legislature. You probably know how this is going to go.
After nearly three months in office, Gov. Jerry Brown’s job performance is winning the approval of California voters by more than a 2-to-1 ratio, while the state Legislature continues to receive low marks, according to a Field Poll released today.
Brown has the approval of 48 percent of registered voters who were surveyed; 21 percent disapprove of his performance so far. Nearly a third, 31 percent, have no opinion. (SF Chronicle)
But, there is just a lot of tepidness here. The no opinion group is quite large, and that is because, up until this point, there has been no real impact of his tenure. However, if we are going to see movement on these numbers, it will come in whatever election season we have for the special election this spring/summer.
No big surprise on the Legislature’s numbers, which are running at a 16% approve, 70% disapprove right now. The problem with numbers on the Legislature generally is that you are really asking about two entirely separate groups. It isn’t like the Legislative Republicans are rowing in the same direction in any sense of the word. So, there is something there for everybody to hate. And given the lack of action in the Legislature, why not hate them.
That is, of course, a product of the 2/3 supermajority rule for revenue. If the majority were able to rule, then people could form an opinion one way or the other. But as it is, in this perpetual state of standstill, you can’t really be surprised that people hate it.
I’m glad to see that SB 27, which would eliminate pension spiking, just passed out of committee with a unanimous vote of 5-0. I wrote and thanked Senator Simitian for sponsoring it.
Even union guys I know are in favor of changing this abuse. They know it unfairly tars the bulk of public employees with the same brush, and puts larger-than-necessary strains on pension funds. Let’s hope the rest of the Assembly supports it too.
The Governor has suggested that IF he can’t get agreement from the few Republicans he needs for a 2/3 vote to put the tax extensions on a June special election ballot, he will sponsor a ballot initiative to gather signatures for a November special election. While I support our Governor in his efforts to extend existing taxes and provide a balanced solution to our massive budget shortfall, I do not believe that this is a preferable back-up plan.
A November special election on taxes would NOT be tax extensions, they would be tax increases. The taxes in question expire on June 30th. IF the election is held any time after that, the ballot summary and label will say tax increases, not extention of existing taxes. This will be more difficult to pass. And, while our Governor has received high approval ratings, we can’t count on his approval ratings staying high all year long. Governors rarely stay as popular as they are during their first six months in office. If his approval ratings dip in the fall, that will make it tougher to pass the tax measures. Not to mention the lost revenue for 5-6 months while we’re waiting for the special election.
While I’m not a lawyer, there appears to be enough legal wiggle room to put the tax extensions on a June special election ballot by a majority vote of our state legislature. I’m also quite concerned that if we wait until November, the Governor will feel tremendous pressure from big business interests all year long–interests he feels he needs to pass the tax measures–to appease them, which could mean the veto’ing a lot of very good bills in September/October.
Let’s do it in June and be done with it. It’s too risky to wait until November.
Survey polls is just a piece of paper for me. But, this will give idea to people. and behind of this things, can only be seen the government jurisdiction. discount codes