Ballot Measure

The Post-Election Prop 8 Ugliness Continues

Joe Mathews — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:10:00 -0500

I have begun to wonder whether the folks who persist in these idiotic, counter-productive protests against the victorious Prop 8 are more interested in self-righteousness than in marriage equality. Police in riot gear had to be called to the El Coyote Mexican Cafe on Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles last night, where a restaurant manager, a Mormon, committed the grievous sin of expressing her religious views and giving $100 to Yes on 8.

The manager in question was wrong to vote the way she did, but I don't think targeting her is going to change any minds. If anything, it's likely hardening attitudes against same-sex marriage. And there's anecdotal evidence that it's turning off even those who folks who support same-sex marriage and voted No on 8. (As she peered into my eyes yesterday, my optometrist said that she and her husband had voted No on 8 but were upset by the targeting of El Coyote, a favorite eatery of theirs).. Could these protests, rather than producing shame in Yes on 8 supporters, produce embarassment in those on the side of the protestors? More protests are expected tomorrow in California, including a major event in downtown Los Angeles.

Here's a more constructive approach. At this point, some sort of apology from No on 8's leading supporters should be issued to churches that have been targeted. (Among other things, the FBI is investigating white powder that closed the Mormon temple in Los Angeles yesterday). The energy now being wasted on protests should be focused on two areas: 1. protecting the marriages of the estimated 18,000 gay couples who tied the knot in the past five months and 2. formulating a new strategy to repeal Prop 8 at the ballot box in 2010. On this second point, even if the courts strike down Prop 8, there will be some kind of vote on the same-sex marriage issue in 2010 -- either another attempt by Prop 8 supporters to enact a ban, or perhaps an effort to have a justice of state supreme court removed from the bench. It is crucial that same-sex marriage supporters win that next election, whatever it is.

Man Bites Dog: Oakland Teachers Don't Want Measure To Boost Their Pay

Joe Mathews — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:51:00 -0400

Why are Oakland teachers opposing Measure N, a parcel tax to raise their pay? The answer is complicated, and revolves around the fact that the state government has taken over the schools and is calling the shots. A full description is here.

A Good Cause, But Not For Government

Joe Mathews — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:52:00 -0400

It's hard to make an argument against California's Proposition 12, a $900 million bond ot provide housing aid to California veterans. But there's one aspect of the campaign that makes me nervous. It's being led by a state agency.

State agencies should not be involved in any way, shape or form in the campaigns for or against a ballot measure. That goes double when the state agency in question offers the program being funded. But in looking for information on Prop 12, the official state ballot guide directs you to the California Department of Veterans Affairs. (www.cdva.ca.gov).

The state government needs to fix this and make clear it's not taking sides in the matter. It's bad precedent. In the case of Prop 12, the measure is uncontroversial. But we should make clear this sort of thing doesn't happen again, when the issue is tougher.

Israel, Iraq Divestment Initiative Taken Off Ballot In Seattle

Joe Mathews — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 14:28:00 -0400

The initiative had enough signatures to qualify. It would have forced city pension funds to divest from corporations that assist the American military presence in Iraq or that provide direct material support to the Israeli government within the occupied territories.

But a judge ruled that the initiative was invalid because city voters do not have the right to make investment choices for city pension fund. Only the board overseeing the funds can do that.

Los Angeles MTA Promoted Sales Tax Increase

Joe Mathews — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:24:00 -0400

The Metropolitian Transportation Authority was promoting Measure R, which would raise the Los Angeles County sales tax to pay for transit programs, on its web site. That's a legal violation -- the government can't take sides in an election. Now, the MTA has pulled down the material promoting Measure R, the LA Times reports.

But MTA is not apologetic, saying it's only reviewing the material and could put it up on its web site. There's a bright line here, and it shouldn't be crossed. Taxpayer funds can't be used to back political camaigns. What's most outrageous is that radio ads in favor of the campaign are directing folks to the MTA web site.

Initiative to Limit Initiatives Makes Arizona Ballot

Joe Mathews — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:43:00 -0400

The initiative process tends to be popular, and attempts to restrict it tend to be unpopular. But an Arizona ballot initiative to restrict the power of the initiative might have appeared at the right time. Signature gathering in that state is an ongoing scandal, with several measures being knocked off the ballot because so many signatures turned out to be invalid.

The initiative, which qualified for the ballot late last week, would require that any initiative that requires new spending or taxes would have to receive not just a majority of all people voting but a majority of all registered voters before taking effect. That sets a high bar. But it may be a good idea. As my New America colleague Mark Paul has noted, voter-approved spending via initiative has become a major factor in California's budget troubles.

Children Sent to the Back of the Ballot in Florida

Joe Mathews — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:25:00 -0400

According to the language that established it, the Children's Trust in Miami-Dade County must be renewed in this Tuesday's primary elections by county voters. The trust dedicates 50 cents of every $1,000 in assessed property value to improving the lives of children. The money goes to child care, parent counseling, and school health teams. It has bipartisan support. What could be the problem?

Poor ballot design. In several Dade County precincts, the measure to reauthorize the Children's Trust has been placed on the back of the ballot. So voters will have to turn over their ballot to find it. Let's hope they do. Or this could be another major disaster for Florida election officials.

'Deadline, Schmeadline'

Joe Mathews — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:23:00 -0400

That's today's California quote of the day from Democratic spinner extraordinaire Steve Maviglio. He's talking about Monday's supposed 5 p.m. deadline to remove a high-speed rail bond measure from the November ballot and replace it with a more carefully drafted bond on the same subject. The legislature, which is facing Gov. Schwarzenegger's threat to veto every bill that reaches his desk until there's a budget deal, failed to pull the switcheroo yesterday. But there may still be more time. Secretary of State Debra Bowen has set Saturday as a deadline for adding measures, but the problem in this case is that the measure being removed is scheduled to be in the voter guide. There is no precedent for removing a measure from the ballot that's already appeared in the guide sent to voters.

How Ballot Measure Deadline Could Prolong California's Budget Stalemate

Joe Mathews — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:04:00 -0400

Yep, Aug. 11 and California still hasn't passed a budget for the new fiscal year, which is 42 days old. And things could get much worse this week. California's budget negotiations are complicated, and a potential compromise could include the addition of various measures to the November ballot. Among possible measures would be a rainy day fund and some mechanism to change the lottery to clear the path for borrowing against future revenues.

But there's a problem: time. Legal deadlines and printing deadlines for the November ballots are upon us, so time is short for adding new measures. The Secretary of State has identified this coming Saturday, Aug. 16, as the deadline for adding new measures to the ballot. There may be a little bit of give in that. (I could see the secretary of state agreeing to a short extension of a few days if legislators and the governor are close to a deal). But not much. So if there is no budget deal this week, the framework for negotiations would vanish. And California's budget stalemate could continue for many more weeks.

Kill This Bond

Joe Mathews — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:43:00 -0400

Every time a school bond is voted down in Southern California, we hear recriminations about selfish voters or older people or white people who are unwilling to pay to educate our state's immigrant children. Well, voters in Los Angeles have been among the more generous, approving four multibillion dollar school bonds in the past decade. But I suspect the $7 billion LA Unified School District bond just placed on the ballot is in deep trouble.

Check out this LA Times story on how the bond was put together -- or, more accurately, it became a Christmas tree of political goodies that more than doubled in size in the next two weeks. There is actually no plan at all for $2 billion of the $7 billion; they'll just use it to fund what they like. That's dangerous. The real question is why the school district, which has been unable to provide accurate checks to its teachers, thinks it deserves another blank check. Other questions is this really a good time to borrow? And why do we need more borrowing now, with enrollment flat and headed south? It would be better for the board to reconsider, pull this measure from the ballot before it is defeated, and try to come up with a reasonable, fiscally responsible plan for the district.