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May 15, 2009
Remember to vote this Tuesday
Dear FCL Supporter,
The FCL Board of Directors makes the following recommendations for the Statewide Special Election, to be held this coming Tuesday, May 19th:
Proposition 1A: OPPOSE
(State Budget. Changes California Budget Process. Limits State Spending. Increases "Rainy Day" Budget Stabilization Fund. )
Proposition 1B: NEUTRAL
(Education Funding. Payment Plan.)
Proposition 1C: OPPOSE
(Lottery Modernization Act.)
Proposition 1D: OPPOSE
(Protects Children's Services Funding. Helps Balance State Budget.)
Proposition 1E: OPPOSE
(Mental Health Services Funding. Temporary Reallocation. Helps Balance State Budget.)
Proposition 1F: OPPOSE
(Elected Officials' Salaries. Prevents Pay Increases During Budget Years.)
Click here to read the full text of FCL's recommendations. <http://www.fclca.org/PDFs/currentnews.pdf>
Budget Update:
Governor Schwarzenegger has released his May Budget Revision prior to Tuesdays election, which includes two budget scenarios pending the outcome of election. As predicted by many economists, the state's fiscal condition continues to deteriorate due to the global recession.
Both of the governor's proposals include deep, painful cuts to education and social services.
Should Propositions 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E pass, the governor proposes $15 billion in "solutions" to close the gap.
Should Propositions 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E fail, the governor proposes $21 billion "solutions" to close the gap.
While these two scenarios would arguably support passage of these five ballot propositions, it should be noted that none of the provisions of Prop 1A and 1B would take effect for two years. This gives lawmakers ample opportunity to craft real budget reforms. In exchange for some short-term revenue increases, passage of Proposition 1A would severely limit the ability of state government to deal with human needs over the long run. Expanding gambling and borrowing against future lottery proceeds that may or not materialize, is a poor way to finance government services. Taking funds from early childhood development programs and mental health services to pay for other programs will not solve our state's structural budget deficits.
Sincerely yours,
Jim Lindburg
Friends Committee on Legislation of California
1225 8th St., Suite 220
Sacramento, CA 95814
Ph: (916) 443-3734
Fax: (916) 448-6109
Click here to read the governor's May Budget Revision
Click here to read the California Budget Project's preliminary analysis of the governor's May Budget Revision
Click here to read the California Budget Project's analysis of Proposition 1A
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