Proposition 1A
"Rainy Day" Budget Stabilization fund.
YES
Proposition 1A will create a "rainy day" fund that is 12.5 percent of the state's budget. This reserve fund will essentially create a spending cap for the budget. If passed, it will extend revenue increases in this year's budget by one to two years depending on the revenue item. The measure also will increase the governor's power to make some mid-year budget cuts without legislative approval.
The State Hornet is reluctant to endorse this proposition because no one has really been able to determine the long-term consequences of this measure.
The Hornet is endorsing it, however, because the short term effects of the proposition are very real and very scary. The current budget is already $8 billion out of whack. If the measure fails, that figure is expected to nearly double. If this happens, there will be even more drastic budget cuts for all state services and agencies.
Proposition 1B
Education FundingPayment Plan.
YES
Proposition 1B will require supplemental payments to local school districts and community colleges to make up for budget cuts in recent years. It is designed to make sure that education funding guaranteed under Proposition 98 is protected. This measure will only go into effect if both Propositions 1A and 1B pass, as Prop. 1A reserves a percentage of the money put into the "rainy day" be put into a separate education fund.
The Hornet is endorsing this measure because the state's K-14 education system is woefully underfunded and impacted. As per-pupil spending has steadily decreased in recent years while the number of students in the system has increased, the quality of the education provided has suffered. Offering our children a high-quality education should always be a top priority for the state.
Proposition 1C
Lottery Modernization Act.
YES
Proposition 1C will allow the state to borrow up to $5 billion against future state lottery revenue to balance the 2009-10 budget. It is also designed to improve the lottery with increased prize payouts and more effective marketing campaigns. Lottery revenue would no longer be directly tied to education funding. Future borrowing against lottery revenue would also be allowed.
The Hornet is endorsing this measure because the budget for fiscal year 2009-10 already includes this as a way to increase state revenue. If this proposition fails, another $5 billion will be added to the deficit figures.
While it does take away lottery funding for education, the measure has provisions that add the lost revenue to Proposition 98 funding guarantees so schools do not lose this money.
Proposition 1D
Children's Services Funding.
YES
Proposition 1D will redirect money from the California Children and Families Program, which is funded through a state excise tax on tobacco products and not the state's general fund, to fund health and human services for children age five and younger.
The California Children and Families Program , or First 5, was created to expand early childhood development and education programs for children up to age five.
The Hornet is endorsing this measure because, while early childhood education services are important, it is more important in tough economic times to make sure our children have access to quality health care.
Think of it this way: Which is more important, a 4-year-old being able to visit a petting zoo as part of a field trip or being able to see a doctor when he or she is sick?
Proposition 1E
Mental Health Funding.
YES
Proposition 1E will allow the state Legislature to transfer money from Proposition 63, the Mental Health Services Act, funds to pay for the mental health services provided by the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Program for children and young adults. The measure makes mental health services for children the top priority in mental health funding.
The Hornet is endorsing this proposition because it realizes that priorities must be made during this economic crisis.
While the Hornet would like to see the state's entire mental health system funded adequately, the money just isn't there to accomplish this. Demographic trends in this state have shown that children are one of the largest and fastest growing segments of the population. It makes sense that they should be a funding priority.
Proposition 1F
Elected Officials Salaries.
YES
Proposition 1F will prevent state elected officials, such as legislators, the governor and statewide constitutional officers from receiving pay raises in years when the state budget is facing a deficit.
The measure would prevent the Citizens Compensation Commission from raising lawmakers' pay if the state Director of Finance officially declares the state to be in a deficit year based on a negative balance in the Special Fund for economic uncertainties.
The Hornet is endorsing this proposition because it sends a message to the state's elected officials saying that the people of California are not willing to increase legislators' pay if they cannot manage the state's budget.
This measure is largely symbolic, because this is something the commission is already supposed to consider when deciding on pay raises.
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