No Change, No Surprise

All the budget initiatives went down to defeat last night, except for a silly measure that ties legislative pay to budget deficits. None of the others got more than 38%. The San Francisco Chronicle reports here; the Los Angeles Times reports here; and here is the Sacramento Bee's report.

A Political Scientist Looks At The May Ballot Measures

UCSD political scientist Thad Kousser looks at the May ballot measures in this op-ed from the Los Angeles Times and finds that they embody just the sort of bipartisan compromise that voters claims they want--at least in the abstract.

New Poll On The May Election

This poll, by the PPIC, shows all the budget-related measures losing, by varying amounts.

More On The May Propositions

The Sacramento Bee has this article on the May propositions--a Field Poll which shows Props. 1A through 1E losing. Dan Walters explains why here. And here is another story from the Bee sounding the same theme. And here is George Skelton's analysis, from the Los Angeles Times (I think he's the first to link this election to the Nov. 2005 election in which all the measures lost).

Democrats Divided By Propositions

The Sacramento Bee has this article about how internecine battles over the May propositions are dividing Democrats, as they assemble for a state convention.

What Happens If The May Initiatives Fail?

The Assembly Republican leader speculates that the legislative majority could adopt another measure including taxes and fees by majority vote, as it did last December. Here is the story, from the Sacramento Bee's Capitol Alert.

The May Proposition Opponents Talk To The LA Times

Here is a partial transcript, which focuses on the progressive opposition: Health Access, the California Budget Project and the League of Women Voters.

The Latest On The May Propositions

George Skelton of the Los Angeles Times explains here why Prop. 1C, which permits securitization of lottery proceeds, is a bad idea, while John Wildermuth of the San Francisco Chronicle describes the progressive-conservative opposition teaming up to oppose Prop. 1A here.

Will There Be Well-Funded Opposition To The May Ballot Measures?

Not yet. The San Francisco Chronicle reports (here).

What If Voters Reject The Budget Propositions?

Rough&Tumble has this link: "Uncertainty over a May 19 special election in which California voters will be asked to approve six measures to balance the state budget has raised a crucial question: What if the measures are turned down? John Howard and Anthony York in Capitol Weekly -- 3/12/09."

Field Poll Shows Support For Ballot Measures

Here's the report from "Rough&Tumble": "Likely voters in the May 19 special election initially support six ballot measures designed to complete the budget recently approved by lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, according to a Field Poll released Tuesday. Kevin Yamamura in the Sacramento Bee John Marelius in the San Diego Union-Trib Matthew Yi in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 3/3/09"