CA: The unions' Trojan Horse (Prop 56)

OC Register ^ | 12/23/03 | Jon Coupal - Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Ass'n

[NormsRevenge]

As the holidays approach and we prepare for the gift-giving season, it is easy to overlook Proposition 56, a "present" for taxpayers that public employee unions have placed on the March 2004 ballot.

Unfortunately, Prop. 56, benignly titled the "Budget Accountability Act," is like the gift the Greeks left outside the walls of Troy. It contains some very nasty surprises.

[NormsRevenge]

If informed voters think Prop. 56 sounds too radical to pass, they should think again. The deceptive approach taken by promoters of Prop. 56 has been successful in the recent past.

[Amerigomag]

A reminder that Prop 58 ranks right up there with Prop 56 on the deception meter.

[AbsoluteJustice]

NO PLEASE PASS THIS!!!

This will ensure that my State does not get more California transplants here in Arizona!

:)
LOL

[CounterCounterCulture]

In 2000, backers of Proposition 39 were successful in eliminating the two-thirds vote to raise property taxes to pay for school bonds. Tens of millions of dollars in television advertising for Prop. 39 focused exclusively on its dubious accountability provisions and did not mention how lowering the voter threshold to 55 percent would guarantee that almost all school bonds would pass regardless of merit.

So voters took in the Trojan Horse of Prop. 39 and all the tax increases it contained. In the three years since the two-thirds vote was reduced, local property owners have been hit with over $20 billion in new obligations.

If voters are not careful, in March, history will repeat itself.

PROP 56 must be destroyed. The vampires got a taste of blood with the passage of PROP 39, now they're going for the kill. We cannot afford this two-thirds protection. NO ON 56!

[farmfriend]

Short list.

[PRND21]

Bump

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

"We cannot afford this two-thirds protection."

I'm sure you meant we can't afford to end this two-thirds protection!

[DumpsterDiver]

A reminder that Prop 58 ranks right up there with Prop 56 on the deception meter.

Here is a thread that discusses Proposition 58 and also Prop. 57.

[Jaysun]

Although some have portrayed this as a majority Democrats vs. minority Republicans issue, opposition to reducing the two-thirds vote to pass a budget is not limited to the minority party. Democratic Assemblyman Joseph Canciamilla has said that the current system encourages compromises that benefit the public.


Nonsense. Have we already forgotten what the Democrats were "overheard" saying last July when they accidently left a microphone on in the capital building? Here's a refresher:

Unaware that a live microphone was broadcasting their words around the Capitol, Assembly Democrats meeting behind closed doors debated prolonging California's budget crisis for political gain.
Members of the coalition of liberal Democrats talked about slowing progress on the budget as a means of increasing pressure on Republicans.
A microphone had been left on during the closed meeting Monday, and the conversation was transmitted to about 500 "squawk boxes" that enable staff members, lobbyists and reporters to listen in on legislative meetings.
Some members of the group, including Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg, said if the budget crisis were extended, it could improve chances for a ballot initiative that would make it easier for the Democrats to raise taxes by lowering the threshold for passage from two-thirds to 55 percent.
"No one is running" for re-election, she said, according to a transcript made by Republicans. "And maybe you end up better off than you would have, and maybe you don't. But what you do is show people that you can't get to this without a 55 percent vote."
http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/6356325.htm

[CounterCounterCulture]

I'm sure you meant we can't afford to end this two-thirds protection!

WHOOPS! You are correct! Gotta fire that proofreader.

[E.G.C.]

BTT!!!!!!