California Proposition 1F (May 2009)

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Interview with Maldonado

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California Proposition 1F (May 2009) is one of six ballot propositions that appeared on the May 19 ballot in California. It was overwhelmingly approved.[1][2][3] It is part of the 2009-2010 California state budget and tax increase agreement.[4][5]
  • Yes: 3,565,419 (74.3%) Approved
  • No: 1,237,694 (25.7%)

Proposition 1F prohibits the California Citizens Compensation Commission, the state commission that sets salary levels for the governor, other top state officials, and members of the California State Legislature (both the state senate and the state assembly) from increasing those salaries if the state General Fund is expected to end the year with a deficit. (Specifically, if the state's Director of Finance reports that there will be "a negative balance in the Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties at the end of that fiscal year.")

Currently, California legislators are paid $116,208 annually, which is the highest among state legislators in the U.S. Legislators also are given $170/day "per diem" expense money for each day they are in session.[6] Unlike most state legislators, California legislators serve full time. [7],[8]

Background

Proposition 1F is one of six statewide ballot propositions placed on the May ballot as part of a part of the 2009-2010 state budget and tax increase agreement, which include Propositions 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E and 1F. The package of ballot measures was intended to close an approximately $42 billion budget gap. However, the California Legislative Analyst's Office, an agency of the state government, said in early March that tax revenues flowing into the state treasury are "well below" the projections it used earlier in the year, and that California's government faced an additional $8 billion gap in addition to the earlier $42 billion gap.[9] Proposition 1F was sponsored in the California Senate as a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment by state senator Abel Maldonado.

Supporters

Main article: Supporters of California Proposition 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E or 1F (May 2009)

Supporters of Proposition 1F include:

  • Budget Reform Now.
  • On April 26, the California Democratic Party, meeting in its annual convention, endorsed Proposition 1F.[10]

Opposition

Proposition 1F was opposed by Pete Stahl, who submitted a ballot argument against Proposition 1F that will appear in the official ballot book.[11]

Stahl's arguments against Prop 1F include:

  • The $116,208 annual salary of a legislator "is solidly middle-class compensation" considering average salaries in most regions of the state.
  • Compared to how much executives are large companies typically earn, the salary paid to state legislators is "a terrific bargain."
  • It is false to believe that legislators are influenced by how much they make, rather than by their underlying political beliefs.

Polling information

See also Public opinion polling for all May 2009 statewide ballot propositions
  • The Field Poll conducted a public opinion research survey between February 20 and March 1 on Proposition 1F and the other five budget-related measures that will appear on the May 19 ballot.[12],[13]
  • On April 20-21, SurveyUSA conducted a poll of 1,300 California adults for KABC-TV Los Angeles, KPIX-TV San Francisco, KGTV-TV San Diego, and KFSN-TV Fresno. 15% of the registered voters they spoke with had already cast their vote. They concluded that for Proposition 1F, "the measure remains a jump ball."[16]
Date of Poll Pollster In favor Opposed Undecided
February 20-March 1 Field 77 percent 13 percent 10 percent
March 10-17 PPIC 81 percent 13 percent 6 percent
March 11-12 SurveyUSA 27 percent 31 percent 42 percent
April 16-26 Field 71 percent 24 percent 5 percent
April 20-21 SurveyUSA 32 percent 34 percent 33 percent
April 27 - May 4 PPIC 73 percent 24 percent 3 percent
May 8-10 SurveyUSA 45 percent 35 percent 20 percent
May 15-17 SurveyUSA 48 percent 38 percent 14 percent

Newspaper opinions

Yes on 1F

Newspapers endorsing a "yes" vote on Proposition 1F include:

  • The Los Angeles Times, which wrote, "...we cannot be as cheerful as the campaign ads that began running last week...but the good outweighs the bad...It would merely block their pay raises when a deficit is predicted. This measure is, well, OK. It won't help much. But it won't hurt much either."[17]

Explanation from SOS

In announcing the May 19 election, the California Secretary of State's office provided this description of Proposition 1F:

Existing provisions of the California Constitution direct the California Citizens Compensation Commission to establish and adjust the salary and benefits for Members of the Legislature and certain other state officers. This measure would prohibit the commission from adopting in a fiscal year a resolution that would increase the salary of Members of the Legislature or other state officers if the Director of Finance determines that there will be a negative balance in the Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties at the end of that fiscal year.

External links

Basic information

Supporters

Opponents

References

  1. ↑ Sacramento Bee, "Angry voters whack budget, politicians", May 20, 2009
  2. ↑ Los Angeles Times, "The Next Special Election: April? May? June?", February 9, 2009
  3. ↑ Los Angeles Times, "With budget stalemate over, next move is up to California voters", February 20, 2009
  4. ↑ Los Angeles Times, "With budget stalemate over, next move is up to California voters", February 20, 2009
  5. ↑ Los Angeles Times, "May 19 election deadlines already drawing near", February 20, 2009
  6. ↑ http://www.ncsl.org/programs/legismgt/about/08_legislatorcomp.htm National Conference of State Legislures, "2008 Legislator Compensation]
  7. ↑ Policy Archive on legislative salaries
  8. ↑ NCSL salary backgrounder
  9. ↑ San Diego Union-Tribune, "State budget springs a leak", March 14, 2009
  10. ↑ Los Angeles Times, "State Democrats decline to endorse 3 of 6 ballot measures", April 27, 2009
  11. ↑ Sacramento Bee, "One guy defends legislative pay hikes", February 27, 2009
  12. ↑ Sacramento Bee, "Field Poll shows early backing for budget items on ballot", March 4, 2009
  13. ↑ Field Poll results for initial polling on six budget measures on May 19 ballot
  14. ↑ Sacramento Bee, "Budget ballot measures face uphill fight", March 26, 2009
  15. ↑ Public Policy Institute of California, "Special Election Ballot Propositions Face Tough Road", March 25, 2009
  16. ↑ SurveyUSA, "One Month From California Special Election, Opposition Grows to 5 of 6 Ballot Measures", April 22, 2009
  17. ↑ Los Angeles Times, "Yes on 1A, 1C, 1D, 1E and 1F", April 26, 2009

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