California Civil Rights Coalition

Prop 25: Changes Legislative Vote Requirement to Pass a Budget from Two-Thirds to a Simple Majority. Retains Two-Thirds Vote Requirement for Taxes.

Summary: Changes the legislative vote requirement necessary to pass the state budget from two-thirds to a simple majority. Provides that if the Legislature fails to pass a budget bill by June 15, all members of the Legislature will permanently forfeit any reimbursement for salary and expenses for every day until the day the Legislature passes a budget bill.

Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: Unknown changes in the content of the state budget from lowering the legislative vote requirement for passage. Fiscal impact would depend on the composition and actions of future Legislatures. Minor reduction in state costs related to compensation of legislators in years when the budget bill is passed after June 15.

For: www.endbudgetgridlock.com
Against: www.no25yes26.com

CCRC endorses a ‘YES’ vote on 25
Addressing the California budget crisis at its root causes is one of CCRC’s highest priorities. CCRC strongly supports Prop 25, which would change the vote required for the Legislature to pass a budget from the current super-majority vote of two-thirds to a simple majority. Majority rule is a fundamental part of democracy without which democracy becomes a bit of a farce. The majority should set priorities for spending and be held accountable for them. This measure will change the budget process so that a simple majority can make the decisions without suffering from the tyranny of the minority that has caused California’s budget crisis and allowed the minority party to hold the budget hostage. Budgets that are late and full of cuts and behind closed doors deals harms all Californians, damage our economy, and hurt the state’s credit rating.