A new survey from Field Poll shows that support for Proposition 25 has declined by 21 points from July. The poll of 599 likely voters was taken from September 14-21. Proposition 25 would reduce the threshold vote required in the California State Legislature to pass the state budget from a two-thirds (66.67%) vote to a simple majority.
The bad news for Proposition 25 came as two of the state's leading newspapers urged their readers to pull the "no" lever for the union-backed measure. The San Diego Union-Tribune said, "According to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office, while 'the measure states that its intent is not to change the existing two-thirds vote requirement regarding state taxes,' it allows the Legislature to use simple majority votes to pass bills that lawmakers decree are 'related to the budget in the budget bill.' Opponents say this is an intentional loophole opening the door to massive tax hikes. Backers say this is a phony issue. The LAO is in the middle, which should make taxpayers nervous."[1] The Sacramento Bee said, "...there are omissions and provisions in Proposition 25 that make this initiative difficult to support. Other states with majority- vote budgets have two-year budget cycles, rainy day funds and provisions that allow a governor to reduce spending when revenue drops. If Proposition 25 had truly been the product of bipartisan negotiations among reform-minded Californians, it would stand a better chance of passage, and put to rest concerns about this being purely a power play by Democrats and their union supporters.[2]
The same September 14-21 Field Poll showed support steady for Proposition 19, the Marijuana Legalization Initiative, although still less than the threshold required for approval. The Los Angeles Times joined a chorus of newspapers editorially opposing Proposition 19, saying, "Proposition 19 is poorly thought out, badly crafted and replete with loopholes and contradictions."[3]
Proposition 19 polling
Legend
Position is ahead and at or over 50% Position is ahead or tied, but under 50%
|
|
| Date of Poll
|
Pollster
|
In favor
|
Opposed
|
Undecided
|
Number polled
|
| April 20, 2010 |
SurveyUSA |
56% |
42% |
3% |
500
|
| May 9-16, 2010 |
PPIC |
49% |
48% |
3% |
2,003
|
| June 22-July 5, 2010 |
Field |
44% |
48% |
8% |
1,005
|
| July 23-25, 2010 |
PPP |
52% |
36% |
12% |
614
|
| July 8-11, 2010 |
SurveyUSA |
50% |
40% |
11% |
614
|
| Aug 31-Sept 1, 2010 |
SurveyUSA |
47% |
43% |
10% |
569
|
| September 14-21, 2010 |
Field |
49% |
42% |
9% |
599
|
| September 19-21, 2010 |
SurveyUSA |
47% |
42% |
11% |
610
|
| September 19-26, 2010 |
PPIC |
52% |
41% |
7% |
2,004
|
| October 2-4, 2010 |
Reuters/lpsos |
43% |
53% |
3% |
448
|
| October 10-17, 2010 |
PPIC |
44% |
49% |
7% |
2,002
|
| October 13-20, 2010 |
GQR/AV for LAT/USC |
39% |
51% |
10% |
922
|
| October 14-26, 2010 |
Field for the Sacramento Bee |
42% |
49% |
9% |
1,501
|
Proposition 25 polling
| Date of Poll
|
Pollster
|
Support
|
Oppose
|
Undecided
|
Number polled
|
| June 22-July 5, 2010 |
Field |
65% |
20% |
15% |
1,005
|
| September 14-21, 2010 |
Field |
46% |
30% |
24% |
599
|
| September 19-26, 2010 |
PPIC |
48% |
35% |
17% |
2,004
|
| October 2-4, 2010 |
Reuters/lpsos |
58% |
29% |
13% |
600
|
| October 10-17, 2010 |
PPIC |
49% |
34% |
17% |
2,002
|
| October 14-26, 2010 |
Field for the Sacramento Bee |
48% |
31% |
21% |
1,501
|
See also
