2009 California elections

The California state special elections, 2009 will be held on May 19, 2009 throughout the state of California. The elections were authorized by the State Legislature and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as a part of a budget signed into law on February 19, 2009. Voters will vote on six ballot propositions.

Propositions

Proposition 1A

Main article: California Proposition 1A (2009)

Proposition 1A--State Budget. Changes California Budget Process.--was placed on the ballot by ACA 1, "State finance," authored by Assemblyman Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks). According to the Secretary of State Debra Bowen, Proposition 1A:

Measure Changes the State’s Budgeting. This measure would make major changes to the way in which the state sets aside money in one of its “rainy day” reserve accounts and how this money is spent. As a result, Proposition 1A could have significant impacts on the state’s budgeting practices in the future. The measure would tend to increase the amount of money set aside in the state’s rainy day account by increasing how much money is put into this account and restricting the withdrawal of these funds.
Measure Results in Tax Increases. If this measure is approved, several tax increases passed as part of the February 2009 budget package would be extended by one to two years. State tax revenues would increase by about $16 billion from 2010-11 through 2012-13.

Changes the budget process. Could limit future deficits and spending by increasing the size of the state "rainy day" fund and requiring above-average revenues to be deposited into it, for use during economic downturns and other purposes. Fiscal Impact: Higher state tax revenues of roughly $16 billion from 2010-11 through 2012-13. Over time, increased amount of money in state rainy day reserve and potentially less ups and downs in state spending.

On March 5, 2009, a court ordered changes in the ballot title, label, and summary.

The Legislature passed a different bill that included tax increases with the 2009-2010 budget. That bill had a provision that stated if Proposition 1A passed, the tax increases would continue for another 2 years.

Proposition 1B

Main article: California Proposition 1B (2009)

Proposition 1B--Education Funding. Payment Plan.-- was placed on the ballot by ACA 2, "Education Finance," authored by Speaker of the Assembly Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles). According to the Secretary of State, Proposition 1B:

Requires supplemental payments to local school districts and community colleges to address recent budget crisis. Fiscal Impact: Potential state savings of up to several billion dollars in 2009-10 and 2010-11. Potential state costs of billions of dollars annually thereafter.

Proposition 1C

Main article: California Proposition 1C (2009)

Proposition 1C--Lottery Modernization Act--was placed on the ballot by AB 12, "California State Lottery," authored by Assemblywoman Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa). According to the Secretary of State, Proposition 1C:

Allows the state lottery to be modernized to improve its performance with increased payouts, improved marketing, and effective management. Requires the state to maintain ownership of the lottery and authorizes additional accountability measures. Protects funding levels for schools currently provided by lottery revenues. Increased lottery revenues will be used to address current budget deficit and reduce the need for additional tax increases and cuts to state programs. Fiscal Impact: Allows $5 billion of borrowing from future lottery profits to help balance the 2009-10 state budget. Debt-services payments on this borrowing and higher payments to education would likely make it more difficult to balance future state budgets.

Proposition 1D

Main article: California Proposition 1D (2009)

Proposition 1D--Children's Services Funding--was placed on the ballot by AB 17, "Budget Act of 2008. California Children and Families Act: use of funds: services for children," authored by Assemblywoman Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa). According to the Secretary of State, Proposition 1D:

Temporarily provides greater flexibility in funding to preserve health and human services for young children while helping balance the state budget in a difficult economy. Fiscal Impact: State General Fund savings of up to $608 million in 2009-10 and $268 million annually from 2010-11 though 2013-14. Corresponding reductions in funding for early childhood development programs provided by the California Children and Families Program.

Proposition 1E

Main article: California Proposition 1E (2009)

Proposition 1E--Mental Health Funding. Temporary Reallocation--was placed on the ballot by SB 10, "The Mental Health Services Act: Proposition 63 amendments," authored by state Sen. Denise Moreno Ducheny (D-San Diego). According to the Secretary of State, Proposition 1E:

Helps balance state budget by amending the Mental Health Services Act (Proposition 63 of 2004) to transfer funds, for two years, to pay for mental health services provided though the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Program for children and young adults. Fiscal impact: State General Fund savings of about $230 million annually for two years (2009-10 and 2010-11). Corresponding reduction in funding available for Mental Health Services Act programs.

Proposition 1F

Main article: California Proposition 1F (2009)

Proposition 1F--Elected Officials' Salaries. Prevents Pay Increases During Budget Deficit Years--was placed on the ballot by SCA 8, "State officer salary increases," authored by state Sen. Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria). According to the Secretary of State, Proposition 1F:

Encourages balanced state budgets by preventing elected Members of the Legislature and statewide constitutional officers, including the Governor, from receiving pay raises in years when the state is running a deficit. Directs the Director of Finance to determine whether a given year is a deficit year. Prevents the Citizen Compensation Commission from increasing elected officials' salaries in years when the state Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties is in the negative by an amount equal to or greater than one percent of the General Fund. Fiscal Impact: Minor state savings related to elected officials' salaries in some cases when the state is expected to end the year with a budget deficit.

Polling

Field Poll, March 3, 2009

Among likely voters:

Proposition	Yes	No
1A	57%	21%
1B	53%	30%
1C	47%	39%
1D	54%	24%
1E	57%	23%
1F	77%	13%

A SurveyUSA Poll, March 11-12, 2009 was commissioned by KABC-TV Los Angeles, KFSN-TV Fresno, KGTV-TV San Diego, and KPIX-TV San Francisco.

Among likely voters:

Proposition	Yes	No
1A	27%	29%
1B	38%	30%
1C	28%	29%
1D	40%	28%
1E	36%	30%
1F	27%	31%

26th State Senate district special election

A special election to fill the 26th district of the State Senate was called by Governor Schwarzenegger on December 10, 2008 as a consequence of the resignation of former State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas following his election to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. A special primary election is set for March 24, 2009, and the special election will be held on May 19, 2009.

Candidates

Democratic

Six Democrats qualified for the primary election: Commissioner Robert Cole, Assemblyman Mike Davis, school board member/businesswoman Saundra Davis, author/management consultant Mervin Leon Evans, financial analyst Jonathan Friedman and Assemblyman Curren D. Price, Jr..

Republican

Only one one Republican, educator Nachum Shifren, qualified for the primary election.

Peace and Freedom Party

Cindy Variela Henderson - A communications technician, is the only candidate running in the party primary.

Green Party

Alex Walker - semi-retired computer software engineer.

32nd congressional district special primary election

Main article: California's 32nd congressional district special election, 2009

A special election to fill the 32nd Congressional District was called by Governor Schwarzenegger on March 10, 2009 as a consequence of the resignation of former Congresswoman Hilda Solis following her appointment as United States Secretary of Labor. The special primary election is set for May 19 2009 while the special election will be held on July 14 2009.