California "Best Practices Budget Accountability Act" (2012)

Not on Ballot
This measure did not or will not appear on a ballot

A California "Best Practices Budget Accountability Act" (11-0009) will not be on the state's 2012 ballot. After having been approved for circulation as an initiated constitutional amendment, it supporters did not turn in the 807,615 signatures that were required for ballot qualification by the October 21, 2011 deadline.

A letter requesting a title and summary for the proposed initiative was signed by James C. Harrison, and was received by the Attorney General of California's office on April 1, 2011.

The initiative would have constrained future growth of the California state budget by requiring offsetting revenue increases or budget cuts for any legislation that would cost more than $25 million in a year.

It would also have established a two-year budget cycle, with five-year fiscal projections.

Text of measure

See also: Ballot titles, summaries and fiscal statements for California's 2012 ballot propositions

Ballot title:

State Budget. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.

Official summary:

"Any statute, state budget, or legislative constitutional change that decreases state revenues or increases state program or agency costs by $25 million or more in a fiscal year must include offsetting revenues or spending cuts. Establishes a two-year budget cycle, with five-year fiscal projections. Permits the Governor to cut the budget midyear when a fiscal crisis has been declared and Legislature fails to act. Requires the budget bill to be in print three days before its adoption. Requires state program performance reviews."

Summary of estimated fiscal impact:

(This is a summary of the initiative's estimated "fiscal impact on state and local government" prepared by the California Legislative Analyst's Office and the Director of Finance.)

"Increases in state spending -- potentially tens of millions of dollars per year -- to administer new budgeting process requirements. Potentially significant, but unknown, fiscal effects for the state and local governments affected by state budgetary decisions."

External links

• Letter requesting a ballot title for Initiative 11-0009

References

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