If anyone needs further proof that California is not quite a republic, look at the budget deal that appears to have saved the state from a fiscal disaster. (At least for now -- we could be at the brink again if the economy continues its downward march and state tax revenues slip even further below the current estimates).

The deal requires citizens to pass judgment on seven related ballot measures (At one point, a possible deal looked like there might be eight ballot measures, but in last-minute negotiations, it was decided that one measure--that would have involved docking the pay of lawmakers when they don't pass a budget on time -- was unconstitutional).

Five of the measures will be on a special election ballot May 19. These are 1. changes to the state's education funding guarantee or Prop 98. 2. Borrowing against future lottery revenues. 3. taking funds that voters approved through Prop 10 for early childhood programs. 4. taking funds that voters approved through Prop 63 for mental health programs. and 5. a new state spending limit, that would try to address California's volatile tax revenues by socking away money in a rainy day fund in years when revenues exceed the average of 10 years. Why are these measures on the ballot? Because the changes are constitutional -- as in the case of the spending limit or the education funding guarantee -- or they make changes to laws that were enacted by ballot initiative. California, alone among direct democracies, does not permit policymakers to change a statute enacted by voters. Only the voters can undo what they have done.

CORRECTED: A sixth measure -- a ban on legislative pay raises that was part of the price of State Senator Abel Maldonado's vote -- is also on the ballot. A seventh measure, a so-called "open primary" or non-partisan primary, will go on the June 2010 primary ballot, which should hurt the measure. The sort of partisan voters who cast ballots in primaries tend to oppose open primaries.

Today's LA Times offers more details on all of this here. The fight to pass these measures is uphill. They were drafted by an unpopular governor and an unpopular legislature.