This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on March 4, 2010.
More protests, more talks of the Legislature’s two-thirds majority requirement and an end to one lawsuit against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger — here’s your California Budget Crisis Diaries’ roundup.
Proposition 98: As students from higher education institutions across the state protest Thursday, one report shows K-12 education is taking a much larger hit.
Proposition 98, a measure that was passed 22 years ago, blocks certain cuts that can be made by the State Legislature and Governor. But Schwarzenegger’s plan shows cuts despite the Proposition, according to Capitol Weekly.
“Different areas of education in the state budget are treated differently. And while media coverage of the budget has focused largely on college and university fees, the Kindergarten-through-12th-grade component of the spending plan is taking the largest hit.
‘Under the governor’s plan, Proposition 98 support for K-12 education would be cut from current-year levels by $1.9 billion, and total funding for child care and development programs would be cut by slightly more than $300 million,’ the LAO reported. Meanwhile, funding for community colleges, the University of California and the California State University would be partly restored, a total of about $1 billion.”
Be sure to check SDNN later in the day Thursday for a report on the “Day of Action to Defend Public Education” rally.
Vote change: A UC Berkeley professor is attempting to rid the Legislature of the two-thirds majority vote requirement for any fiscal-related bill to pass.
George Lakoff has been working since last fall to garner enough signatures to put the Lakoff’s California Democracy Act initiative on November’s ballot that would allow the Legislature to move forward on any proposed bills after a simple majority approves of them — similar to Congress. This would then change the inevitable slow budget process each year, Lakoff told The San Francisco Chronicle.
“From top congressional leaders to online activists, liberals have sought the wisdom of UC Berkeley linguistics Professor George Lakoff for years. They ask him to teach them to do something that conservatives traditionally have done better – frame complex policy into simple, digestible morsels that voters will swallow.
Last fall, frustrated that California legislators have been too cowardly to push for what he calls the simplest morsel of all – majority rule in the Legislature – the 68-year-old Lakoff entered the political arena himself, crafting a one-sentence ballot initiative that would change the way the California Legislature passes budgets and raises taxes.”
But not only does Lakoff have until “April 12 to gather 694,354 valid signatures to get his measure on the November ballot,” he’s finding out Demcrats aren’t really supporting his proposal, Democratic candidate for Governor and Attorney General Jerry Brown thinks the word “taxes” should be on the ballot and others are simply calling Lakoff an idealist. Of course, with last year’s budget cycle in an impasse for 19 days before its passage, which then forced State Controller John Chiang’s office to issue IOUs — the initiative is bound to come up again, as it does every year.
Court sides with Schwarzenegger: A 1st District Rule of Appeal Judge said Schwarzenegger used his power lawfully to make line-item veto cuts last budget cycle.
According to Business Weekly, the line-item veto cut to public health programs was $489 million and the lawsuit was brought upon by the St. John’s Well Child and Family Center with the nonprofit claiming that “its programs would be hurt by further reductions.” Defending the nonprofit’s side is Sen. President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), who released a statement Tuesday stating he is “deeply concerned” about the court ruling.
“Steinberg said the fight remains unresolved. He filed a separate lawsuit in San Francisco County Superior Court last year challenging Schwarzenegger on the deeper cuts to social programs such as child welfare, health care for the poor and AIDS prevention.
No decision has been made in that case.”
Hoa Quach is the political editor for San Diego News Network.