California Proposition 134, Alcohol Surtax Fund and Tax Increase Initiative (1990)

California Proposition 134
Election date November 6, 1990
Topic Taxes and Alcohol
Status d Defeated
Type Amendment & Statute	Origin Citizens

California Proposition 134 was on the ballot as a combined initiated constitutional amendment and state statute in California on November 6, 1990. It was defeated.

A "yes" vote supported establishing the Alcohol Surtax Fund to fund alcohol and drug abuse programs and adding an increased surtax of $0.05 per 12 ounces of beer, per five ounces of wine, and per one ounce of distilled spirits.

A "no" vote opposed establishing the Alcohol Surtax Fund to fund alcohol and drug abuse programs and adding an increased surtax of $0.05 per 12 ounces of beer, per five ounces of wine, and per one ounce of distilled spirits.

Election results

California Proposition 134
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		2,285,256	31.04%
No		5,076,822	68.96%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Proposition 134 was as follows:

“

Alcohol Surtax. Constitutional Amendment. Initiative Statute.

”

Ballot summary

The ballot summary for this measure was:

“

Establishes Alcohol Surtax Fund in State Treasury. Imposes surtax of five cents per 12 ounces beer, 5 ounces most wines, 1 ounce distilled spirits. Imposes additional per unit floor stock tax. Proceeds deposited into Alcohol Surtax Fund. Guarantees 1989-90 nonsurtax funding with required annual adjustments, and appropriates Surtax Fund revenues for increased funding for alcohol and drug abuse prevention, treatment and recovery programs (24%); emergency medical care (25%); community mental health programs (15%); child abuse and domestic violence prevention training and victim services (15%); alcohol and drug related law enforcement costs, other programs (21%).

”

Full Text

The full text of this measure is available here.

Fiscal impact

The fiscal estimate provided by the California Legislative Analyst's Office said:

“

Surtax would increase tax on beer from 4 cents to 57 cents per gallon, most wines from 1 cent to $1.29 per gallon, and distilled spirits from $2 to $8.40 per gallon. The surtax would result in additional state revenues of approximately $360 million in 1990-91 and $760 million in 1991-92, depending on alcohol sales. State General Fund revenues could increase or decrease several million dollars due to effect on sales tax revenues and revenues from existing alcoholic beverage taxes. Local sales tax revenue would increase by several million dollars. The guarantee for 1989-90 level nonsurtax funding, with required annual adjustments, for various health, mental health, criminal justice and other programs could increase costs by $180 million in 1990-91 and over $300 million in 1991-92; possibly additional tens of millions of dollars in subsequent years. These costs would have to be funded from revenues other than surtax. Expenditure of surtax revenues for prevention and treatment programs could result in future savings.

”

Path to the ballot

See also: Signature requirements for ballot measures in California

In California, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 8 percent of the votes cast at the preceding gubernatorial election. For initiated amendments filed in 1990, at least 595,485 valid signatures were required.

See also

1990 Measures

• 1990 Measures
• Alcohol laws on the ballot
• Taxes on the ballot
• 1990 legislative sessions

California

• California ballot measures
• California ballot measure laws

News and analysis

• Ballot measure lawsuits
• Ballot measure readability
• Ballot measure polls

External links

• California Voter Guide (November 1990)