A dispute over the meaning of California's complex education funding formula -- Prop 98, a union-backed ballot initiative that was approved by voters in 1988 -- is holding up budget talks at the moment. Prop 98 isn't as well known as Prop 13, the 1978 property tax limitation measure that also established the terrible two-thirds requirement for raising taxes in Calfiornia, but the two initiatives are cousins. Prop 98 has become Democratic holy writ, and Prop 13 is Republican holy writ. Neither measure has done what it's supposed to do (Prop 98 is supposed to protect education funding; Prop 13 is supposed to protect us from taxes and over-spending).  It's time to end both and start over. 

For a further explanation, check out these links.

-My recent column at Fox & Hounds Daily on why we should end Prop 98 and what we might replace it with.

-My piece from last year's LA Times on Prop 98, its complexity and its history.

-Eric Bailey's piece in today's LA Times on Prop 98's role in the current budget process.