This Site Has Moved
The posts found here are still available for archival purposes and to avoid broken links, but comments are now turned off and there will be no future updates. For all the latest from New America, please go to www.NewAmerica.net
About this Blog
Direct democracy -- the Switzerland-inspired system of initiatives, referenda and recalls that allows voters to make and repeal laws in 24 states -- is poorly understood. It isn’t even very direct. Direct democracy has become blockbuster democracy: a half-billion-dollar international industry of signature gatherers, consultants, and election lawyers who use ballot measures less as a method of making law and more as a tool of mega-communications to boost some politicians, hurt others, and supplement lobbying campaigns.
Blockbuster democracy is a decentralized business that practices wide-open politics. This blog aims to provide a center of news, analysis and conversation for and about the industry. We will report from blockbuster democracy’s capital -- California -- but we’ll monitor ballot measures from across the country and around the globe.
Your Blogger: Joe Mathews is an
User login
New Field Poll: Lottery Borrowing In Trouble, Other Budget Measures Uncertain
When read the ballot description of the six measures that were put on the May 19 special election ballot as part of February's budget deal, California voters in a new Field Poll gave majority support to five of the six. But that support was soft. A sixth measure -- which involves borrowing against future lottery revenues -- trails, and may be essentially a dead letter as a result.
The poll is here. One big reason for skepticism about the prospects of any of the measures (with the exception of the sixth, a populist blast that would bar legislative pay raises during years when there's a deficit) is that solid majorities of voters are dissatisfied with the budget deal. And these measures were part of the budget deal. Also, Gov. Schwarzenegger, the politician who is most invested in the passage of these measures, is decidedly unpopular, with an approval rating below 40 percent.
- Login to post comments
Lottery Borrowing in Trouble
I have collected signatures for school funding initiatives in the past and the first thing out of the voters mouth is "What about the lottery?". A lot of people have this false notion that the lottery pays for the school budget. Not just some of it, all of it!! I tell people the lottery was meant to supplement school funding.
They won't listen, they will believe what they want to believe. People don't know the gravity and weight of the numbers of the budget. They see a $100 Million dollar jackpot and have no idea the school education budget is well over $50 Billion This poll is a reflection that people think borrowing from the lottery will somehow destroy school funding. Though I don't support this budget or these initiatives, however I know borrowing from the lottery is not going to destroy education. It is borrowing on future revenues.
Advice to Yes people, they better start a re-education campaign on the purpose of the lottery.
Lottery Borrowing
Strong point, California screaming. People are confused about the scale and size of the lottery vs. the overall education budget.. And one correction from me: Field shows Prop 1C, the lottery borrowing measure, with less than 50 percent--the danger zone for an initiative because most initiatives don't gain support. Those voters in doubt tend to vote no. But the measure is not trailing. It has a lead, 48-37. Joe Mathews Irvine senior fellow, New America Foundation www.newamerica.net/blog/blockbuster-democracy/