A primer on the six budget propositions

At our recent meeting, V4CF members Ruth Afifi and James Williams presented a primer on the six budget propositions California voters will decide during a special election May 19.

Here is the primer they presented:

Proposition 1A: Changes the California budget process and limits state spending. Increases the "Rainy Day" Budget Stabilization Fund. Implements a spending cap based on the rate of growth from the last 10 years. If approved, it would extend the length of the taxes approved by the Legislature.

Proposition 1B Education Funding: Changes the state's education funding law -- Proposition 98 -- for supplemental education payments to local districts due to recent budget cuts.

Proposition 1C Lottery Modernization Act: Borrows from future lottery earnings to balance the state budget.

Proposition ID Children's Services Funding: Takes money from the First 5 Commissions -- aka Proposition 10 funds for early childhood education and other programs -- to help balance the state budget.

Proposition IE Mental Health Services Funding: Temporary Reallocation. Helps Balance State Budget. Takes money from the Mental Health Services Act -- aka Proposition 63 funds -- to help balance the budget.

Proposition 1F Elected Officials' Salaries: Prevents state-level elected officials from receiving pay raises in years when the state is running a deficit.

Ruth also shared a position document from the League of Women Voters California, in which the organization states its position on each of the budget propositions. While Volunteers for Change-Fresno has not yet taken an official position on these propositions, because it was presented at our meeting we wanted to make League of Women Voters' position document available all of our members, especially those who could not attend. So, here it is:

THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS CALIFORNIA RECOMMENDS
MAY 19, 2009 SPECIAL ELECTION

PROP 1A Restrictions on State Budget Process
OPPOSE

Prop 1A is touted by its proponents as the way to bring stability to the state budget process: However, it would actually make it more difficult for future governors and legislatures to enact budgets that meet California's needs and address state priorities. It would amend the state Constitution to dictate restrictions on the use of funds put into the reserve and limit how "unanticipated" revenues can be used in good years. It could lock in a reduced level of public services by not taking proper account of the state's changing demographics and actual growth in costs. Prop 1A would also give future governors new power to make budget cuts without legislative oversight. Like the other propositions opposed by the League on this ballot, Prop 1A came from a deeply flawed process that resulted in measures written in haste and without public input or analysis. The League would support real budget reform, but we regretfully conclude that this measure would only make things worse. Most of its provisions would not take effect for two years; we should spend that time working on real budget reform.

PROP 1B Education Funding. Payment Plan
NEUTRAL

This measure requires the state to make $9.3 billion in supplemental payments to K-14 education over approximately five to six years beginning in 2011-12. This funding is intended to address uncertainty about what the Proposition 98 school funding guarantee requires. The League supports full funding of public education and believes that making up for the devastating cuts of recent years must be a priority. Prop 1B is not needed, however, and even if passed by the voters, it would take effect only if Prop 1A is also passed. The legislature has the power to restore funding to education in a more straightforward way that is not tied to Prop 1A.

PROP 1C Lottery-Based Borrowing
OPPOSE

This measure makes changes in state lottery operations intended to increase its profitability and allows the state to issue $5 billion in bonds that are "securitized" by future lottery profits. The lottery would no longer be a source of revenue for education, and the state General Fund would be required to make up for the loss to education of lottery funds. League positions on long-term financing anticipate the use of bonds for capital improvements, not borrowing, and call for prudent consideration of debt levels within the budget. In light of California's poor credit rating and the state of the economy, these bonds may have to be sold at interest rates very unfavorable to the state, if indeed they can be sold at all. The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office says that in the long term, lottery profits probably would not cover the higher payments to education required by Prop 1C.

PROP 1D Diverting Children's Services Funding
OPPOSE

This proposition would redirect tobacco tax funds reserved for First 5 early childhood programs by Proposition 10 (passed in 1998) to the state General Fund. $608 million would be diverted in 2009-10 and $268 million a year for the following four years, creating the illusion that more revenues are available. In reality, Prop 1D raids these funds in the short term in order to pay for some services, while taking funding away from other services. It also includes unnecessary provisions, such as new county baseline funding levels unrelated to population needs. We oppose this stopgap measure.

PROP 1E Diverting Mental Health Services Funding
OPPOSE

For the next two years, Proposition 1E would redirect about $230 million a year from the Mental Health Services Act (Proposition 63 of 2004) to the state General Fund to replace state funding for an existing screening, diagnosis and treatment program. As with Prop 1D, it raids existing programs to create temporary "savings," but makes less money available for some services. It may even result in the loss of federal matching funds. The League opposes this short-sighted measure.

PROP 1F Elected Officials' Salaries
NO POSITION

Because League positions do not cover the issues in Proposition 1F, "Elected Officials' Salaries. Prevents Pay Increases During Budget Deficit Years," the LWVC is taking no stand on this.

Any thoughts on this, V4CF members? We want to hear from you. Please post your thoughts and opinions by clicking "Comments." In the meantime, stay tuned to the Action Blog for more information about the May 19 propositions.

Action opportunities presented at April 7 Volunteers for Change-Fresno meeting

Approximately 35 members traveled through rain and thunder to attend the regular Volunteers For Change-Fresno meeting, held April 7 at the Fig Garden Library in northwest Fresno.

After participating in a quick "getting to know you" exercise, the group reviewed the six upcoming budget-related propositions voters will decide during a special election scheduled Tuesday, May 19.

Our end-of-meeting announcements included information about several political and volunteer opportunities, all of which invite V4CF members to participate. Click any of the following links to download more information:

• April 17: The Fresno State College Democrats are sponsoring an evening titled "A New Era and New Beginnings," where they will present their 2009-10 plan for Fresno State and the city.
  

• April 25: Hands On Central California is among the sponsors of the Generation Green Earth Day event, a local environmental restoration project. Participants will be involved in replanting native species and removal of non-native plants, debris removal and habitat enhancement.The kickoff event is scheduled 9 a.m. Saturday, April 25, at the San Joaquin River Parkway River Center, 11605 Old Friant Road in Fresno.
  

Our group discussed several Calls to Action, many of which are scheduled around Earth Day, and also heard a presentation from Cathy Caples, Executive Director of Hands On Central California, who spoke to V4CF about possible collaboration on volunteer projects. Watch the Action Blog for more information on these opportunities, coming soon.

Credo Action sponsors petition aimed at reducing carbon emissions

From our member Connie Peterson comes an opportunity to show support for action on reducing carbon emissions:

Representatives of the coal, utility and auto industries in the Senate have refused to exercise leadership on climate change. It's time for President Obama to use his executive power through the Environmental Protection Agency and take action on global warming.

On Wednesday, 26 Democrats joined Republicans in the Senate and voted to ensure that the filibuster will be used to block any meaningful climate legislation this year. The rule passed prohibits Congress from using the budget reconciliation process to pass real action on climate. Any truly effective bill will surely suffer death by filibuster because there are more than 40 Senators committed to deferring any real action on climate change that would threaten the coal, oil, and auto industries.

The betrayal by 26 Democrats on one of the most important issues of our time is deeply disappointing. However, President Obama doesn't need Congress' help to take a very important step: Regulating carbon. By establishing a "price point" for dirty fuels, alternatives can be moved to market more competitively and more expediently.

Fortunately, on March 20 the Obama Administration's EPA finally submitted a long-awaited "endangerment finding" to the White House. Now with this finding, President Obama can order the EPA to reduce carbon emissions, including those from coal burning utilities. With Congress dragging its feet on progress, the time for President Obama to act is now.

Sign Credo Action's petition today to ask President Obama to approve the EPA endangerment finding and reduce carbon emissions now.

President Obama's weekly address: The challenges of our time

From our friends at Whitehouse.gov:

In this week’s address, President Obma discusses the breadth and depth of the global challenges we face. Recapping his trip, though, it is clear just how much opportunity lies in reshaping America’s relationships around the world.

On everything from turning our economy around -- which shed hundreds of thousands more jobs last month -- to ending the threat of nuclear arms, President Obama said, "The only way forward is through shared and persistent efforts to combat fear and want wherever they exist."

V4CF's meeting scheduled Tues., April 7

Just a reminder:

Our next Volunteers for Change-Fresno group meeting is scheduled 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, in the large meeting room at the Fig Garden Library, 3071 W. Bullard Ave., in Fresno. The library is on the southwest corner of Bullard and Marks, in the shopping center.

Our meeting will include:

• A brief presentation by Hands On of Central California, a local group whose mission is similar to our own, to discuss potential Earth Day events;
  
  
• A primer on California’s budget propositions, coming up for the public’s vote in May;
  
  
• A talk-and-take action chat about options for our next Volunteers for Change-Fresno 'Call to Action'; and
  
  
• A quick and voluntary "pass o'the hat" to fund some V4CF basics, like paper and printer ink.

Expect an invigorating, inspiring and intelligent meeting! We hope to see you there!

President Obama to France: 'America is changing'

From our member Ruth Afifi comes this, a video of President Obama's speech and town-hall meeting in Strasbourg, France. Ruth describes the speech as "very good, and different from others Obama has given."

Get comfortable -- the video is nearly an hour long, but well worth the time investment.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

President Obama's weekly address: A reminder about dedication to service

From our friends at Whitehouse.gov:

In his weekly address, President Obama addresses the people of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota as they face down disastrous flooding. He speaks of what the government is doing, but also stresses that times of crisis like this are reminders of the need and opportunity Americans have to keep their dedication to service.