Recommendations for the May 19 special election


Published on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 10:14 PM PDT

Yes on 1A: Proposition 1A is a common-sense, rational and long-needed reform. It will not guarantee the end of deficits. If a future decline is steep enough or long enough, no rainy-day fund will be big enough to cover all of the shortfall. But it will cushion the blow. And it is far better than what we have now. The ups and downs of state taxes have allowed legislators to binge on spending one year and starve programs the next, creating unpredictability and false expectations of what the state will provide. Previous rainy-day funds have proven porous. Prop. 1A would patch the holes. This should be seen as a down payment on comprehensive reform. That has to include lowering the requirement for two-thirds of the Legislature to approve a state budget and new taxes, but voters won't agree to that change without spending controls. Under Prop. 1A, yearly overall spending would be based on a 10-year average of state revenues, adjusted for inflation and population growth. Three percent of revenues each year, plus additional windfalls, would go into a rainy-day fund that would be used when revenues fall or, once the fund is full, to pay off debt and unmet obligations such as retirees' health benefits.

Yes on 1B: This provides $9.3 billion for K-12 schools and community colleges — about $1.5 billion a year over the next six years — but goes into effect only if Proposition 1A passes. Because of plunging revenue and budgeting shenanigans, the Legislature substantially lowered funding under Proposition 98 for K-12 schools and community colleges. With Proposition 1B, the Legislature acknowledged that it needed to gradually restore the Proposition 98 base spending, or California schools would be crippled for years.

No on 1D and 1E: Among all the special election ballot measures, Prop. 1D & 1E stand out for the long-term fiscal damage they would do by cutting children’s services and mental health care.Proposition 1D will divert $268 million a year for the next five years from voter-approved children's programs (Prop. 10 of 1998); and Proposition 1E will raid $230 million a year for the next two years from voter-approved mental health programs (Prop. 63 of 2004). Together, these programs provide little in terms of a budget solution, but the negative impact they'll have on children's and mental health programs will be devastating and have long-term consequences that will cost California taxpayers more money than the expected savings.

1C and 1F: No recommendation.

The above endorsements reflect the views of the Sun’s editorial board, not necessarily those of others connected to the Sun.

Copyright © 2010 Kern Valley Sun

Comments

16 comment(s)

    opie wrote on May 26, 2009 5:31 PM:

    " There really aren’t a whole lot of very smart people in this world, area republican. "

    Area Republican wrote on May 25, 2009 11:06 PM:

    " I noticed the Bakersfield Californian
    had an article on the Editorial page; it tried very hard to find excuses to use for recommending yes on any of these measures voted upon recently....they did a very poor job of explaining they found all the wording confusing.....oh brother, and they are supposed to be smart!? "

    to Just Me wrote on May 22, 2009 9:14 PM:

    " I like that “brain-in-gear-before-engaging-transmission” phrase. The two of you together would have me rolling on the floor. "

    Just Me wrote on May 22, 2009 8:18 PM:

    " Hey....scribdawg, I like that phrase...."just keep following the herd falling off the cliff.".....it fits this bunch in this valley that don't put "brain-in-gear-before-engaging-transmission" thinkers....hee hee, very good! "

    Scribdawg wrote on May 19, 2009 12:56 PM:

    " Its definitely a NO-brainer, voting NO is the right thing to do. Of course, if you have NO brain to begin with, then just keep following the herd off the cliff. "

    Salvatore wrote on May 18, 2009 7:46 PM:

    " Sun Staff. I am very happy to report from a higher source that your political recomendation will fall very hard, Thank GOD. "

    Karen wrote on May 18, 2009 3:43 PM:

    " All the state legislatures and the governor should be recalled. I voted (absentee ballot) NO on all the propositions. "

    Jack wrote on May 15, 2009 3:19 PM:

    " Vote NO on 1A !!! I'm a angry taxpayer who is sick of how the state is wasting our taxes, it's time to make a stand .(we're not gonna take it anymore) "

    Weekender wrote on May 14, 2009 11:12 PM:

    " No on all Props the ask for money. State Government is TWICE as large as when Arnold took office. The legislature, unions, and teachers, they are all piggies at the public trough. While we in the private sector are taking paycuts and being laid off, the public sector is whining, fat and happy.

    There are 360,000 state employees. That's NUTS. Lay off 20%, freeze salaries, and cut pensions to NO MORE THAN 50% of pay, even for those that are currently retired.

    California makes GM look responsible.

    VOTE NO. "

    Mac wrote on May 14, 2009 3:29 PM:

    " I'm voting no on anything asking for more money. In fact, that's what I did on the last election too, though I was unfortunately outvoted on most of them. We're drowning in debt as it is! "

    Richard Rowe wrote on May 14, 2009 11:03 AM:

    " The CA League of Women Voters say "We recommend a NO vote on Proposition 1A, Proposition 1C, Proposition 1D, and Proposition 1E."

    The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association says "We Must Take Action to Stop Another Huge Tax Increase! We Must Defeat Proposition 1A!"

    Enough said... "

    bad idea wrote on May 14, 2009 7:27 AM:

    " I don't think the SUN should have printed this.....you are to report news, not to share your political policies. "

    NO NO and NO wrote on May 14, 2009 7:26 AM:

    " VOTE NO ON EVERYTHING! IT'S ALL EXPENSIVE, GIVES STATE GOVT MORE ROOM TO SPEND AND NONE OF THESE ARE TO OUR BENEFIT!!! "

    Brian wrote on May 14, 2009 7:18 AM:

    " Nowhere in the Sun's recommendations on these propositions is there any word about how difficult things are for taxpayers. The concern seems to always rest with those who have their tin cups extended looking for more, rather than those of us who currently do or are retired and have spent the better part of their lives contributing. Education is important, yes. But I suppose education will have to do what the rest of us are doing in tough economic times: conserving money, spending what they do have wisely, eliminating waste, and not waiting for bailouts. "

    Pablo Martinez wrote on May 13, 2009 8:19 PM:

    " We are all just to tired of all the taxes and the spending by Sacramento.
    All the Propositions are going down to defeat.
    Its time to start cutting back on government and all its quasi-government
    programs. "

    Area Republican wrote on May 13, 2009 1:08 PM:

    " It is a good thing you have the disclaimer statement on your recommendations, one would think you are a Democrat who does not understand business. All the measures stand for more taxes, more tax money to be used for illegals. Obama just alloted $20 million for displaced Palestines to be brought here and be set up in business. Gee, that is great, more Muslims and terrorists!
    Whose side are you on, the United States, or the One World Government being set up by Obama? "

WRITE A COMMENT

Use the form below to post a brief comment to this story, or respond to other readers. Please use the word count tool to assist you in keeping your remarks to 100 words or fewer.

Comments must be approved by an editor before appearing on the Web site. Editors review submitted comments periodically during the day for offensive, off-topic, repetitious and/or redundant content before posting. Your thoughtful contribution to the online discussion is appreciated.

(optional)
Current Word Count:
   


Multimedia

Classifieds

  • View All Ads
  •  
  • Place a classified ad online!
  •  
  •  
  • Call:760 379 3667
  •  
  • Fax: (760) 379-4343
  •  
  • Write: P.O. Box 3074, Lake Isabella, CA, 93240

Jobs

View All Jobs

Homes

View All Homes

Autos

View All Autos

Contact us: 760 379 3667
Click for Lake Isabella, California Forecast