Poll: Initiatives lack public support (PPIC)

SACRAMENTO -- Californians aren't much interested in the upcoming special election and don't support most of the initiatives they'll be voting on, according to new poll results from the Public Policy Institute of California.

The three main initiatives sponsored by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger are all in sorry shape, as are dueling measures to provide low-income Californians with cheap prescription drugs.

The governor's approval ratings remain dismal as well: The survey found that only 38 percent of likely voters think Schwarzenegger is doing a good job. This is the lowest such rating he has yet received.

Poll director Mark Baldassare said voters are far more interested in the ramifications of high gas prices -- a majority thinks $3 a gallon gas will hurt California's economy severely -- than the changes Schwarzenegger is offering voters this fall.

"Voters see little on the ballot that connects to their current concerns," Baldassare said. "It's a major reason for the lackluster response to the election generally and to the specific measures on the ballot."

Most Californians still think holding a special election is a bad idea, and the governor's proposals to extend from two to five years the probationary period for public school teachers, to give himself broad powers to balance the state's budget when expected revenue fails to show up and to strip from lawmakers their power to redraw their own turf lines are faring poorly.

Schwarzenegger has also endorsed several other measures on the fall ballot, including:

Proposition 73, which requires a girl 17 years old or younger to wait two days before having an abortion while her doctor notifies her parent or legal guardian. Known as the "parental consent" initiative, Californians are evenly split. Proposition 75, which requires public employee unions -- the Democrats' primary source of campaign funds -- to obtain written permission from its members to use their dues for political purposes. This proposal has been polling well so far. Proposition 78, which mirrors legislation Schwarzenegger sponsored earlier this year, is a drug-industry-backed proposal to give low-income Californians cheaper prescription drugs. This proposal has limited support; the PPIC poll shows 43 percent of voters support it to 38 percent opposed.

Proposition 78 duels with Proposition 79, a consumer-backed prescription drug issue. The poll released Wednesday shows its support weaker than Proposition 78. Only 34 percent of likely voters support that proposal.

Baldassare said voter confusion is a major reason; they're not sure which measure is which.

The poll of 2,004 adults was conducted Sept. 12-19 in English and Spanish. It has a margin of error of 2 percent. Results for likely voters have a margin of error of 3 percent.

Ok, first an alert for the Arnold haters:

Arnold endorsed parental notification.

I haven't been polled. The polling is a real concern, however. This is CA, the corrupt union scum are running their latest ads full of lies.

The right people need to work diligently on GOTV or we can kiss the recall effort's progress (such as it is) goodbye and might as well write off another state.

I'm voting early in about two weeks: YES on 73 thru 77.

The Moron State reverts to form. (Californians don't get pissed. I'm a native Californian.)

Anyway, might I suggest anyone interested in helping Arnold get these vital reforms passed send some version of the letter I sent below to my local paper? Feel free to alter it or add your own words as you will, but we California conservatives need to get off our butts and help these initiatives pass or we're going to end up with a Democratic governor in November 2006, higher taxes and a ruined economy and precarious fiscal situation yet again.

To the Letters Editor:

The special interests are again wielding their favorite weapon, the big lie, to attack Governor Schwarzenegger and his reform agenda.

One of these big lies are the ads claiming the governor is trying to attack and “silence” nurses through Proposition 75. Proposition 75 says nothing about nurses. It merely requires labor unions to seek permission of its members before using union dues to support political candidates or causes that may be contrary to the conscience of members. Far from silencing anyone, it gives members a voice in how their money is used.

Another big lie are the teachers unions opposing accountability with the dishonest smokescreen that Schwarzenegger cut education spending. Education spending increased 5% this year alone by $3 billion! Per-student funding, usually considered the best measure of how the schools are doing, has grown from $6,266 in 2000 to $7,402 today, an increase of 18 percent.

If teacher union math is that this increase is a decrease, then it’s no wonder they fear the enhanced accountability of Proposition 74. It increases the period in which a teacher proves their competency to achieve tenure to 5 years rather than 2.

Other big lies involve the governor’s attempts to control public employee pension growth which are bankrupting states. California taxpayer’s obligation to these pension funds has increased 1600% in just 5 years, a level that will drive California into insolvency if it’s not checked. One financial expert describes it as one of the most stunning transfers of wealth in human history.

The governor has not proposed to touch one penny in the pensions of current public employees, only to fix this financial bloodletting among future hires. The result is the barrage of union attack ads.

In the upcoming election, don’t buy the big lie. Support reform.

Sincerely,

I haven't been polled .. yet.

Have you or anyone?

Yes, but I am not sure it was this poll since it was the week of the 19th.
The questions were extensive but straightforward. Basically:
"Do you know who Arnold Schwarzenegger is?" "What is your opinion of him, very positive, positive, ..."
"Do you know who Dianne Feinstein is?" "What is your opinion of her, very positive, positive, ..."
etc.

Then some questions about whether I trust Republicans or Democrats on various issues.

On the propositions the pollster read the summary from the ballot and asked, "if the election were held today would you vote for or against this proposition."

At the end some questions about my race and religion which I declined to answer.

I believe it was a legitimate poll since no personal questions were asked nor was there any question about giving money. There was one selection issue since I was asked at the start if I would participate. I suspect many busy people would say no and I also suspect that this means left leaners will be more likely to take the time to respond.

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