Hot Topics 2007 | February Presidential Primary
UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies Library
Hot Topics 2007 | February Presidential Primary
UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies Library
The deadlines for Initiatives to qualify for the Feb. 5th election is September 27, 2007. Two initiatives have made it onto the ballot.
Transportation Funding. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.
Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute 1182Prohibits retention of funds earmarked for the Transportation Investment Fund in the General Fund for use unrelated to transportation after 7/1/08. Requires repayment by 6/30/17 of transportation funds retained in the General Fund in years prior to 2007-08. Eliminates General Fund borrowing of specified transportation funds, except for cash-flow purposes (repayment required within 30 days of adoption of budget); current law allows borrowing for three years where Governor declares transfer would cause significant negative fiscal impact on governmental functions and Legislature enacts authorizing statute. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: No revenue or cost effects. Increases stability of funding to transportation in 2007-08 and thereafter; reduces somewhat the state’s flexibility to use specified transportation funds for other (nontransportation) activities.
Community Colleges. Funding. Governance. Fees. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.
Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute 1226Establishes in state constitution a system of independent public community college districts and Board of Governors. Generally, requires minimum levels of state funding for school districts and community college districts to be calculated separately, using different criteria and separately appropriated. Allocates 10.46 percent of current Proposition 98 school funding maintenance factor to community colleges. Sets community college fees at $15/unit per semester; limits future fee increases. Provides formula for allocation by Legislature to community college districts that would not otherwise receive general fund revenues through community college apportionment. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Potential increases in state spending on K-14 education of about $135 million in 2007-08, $275 million in 2008-09, and $470 million in 2009-2010, with unknown impact annually thereafter. Annual loss of fee revenues to community colleges of about $71 million in 2007-08, with unknown impacts annually thereafter.
Limits on Legislators’ Terms in Office.
Initiative Constitutional Amendment 1238.
Proponents: Robin B. Johansen and Kari Krogseng c/o James C. Harrison (510) 346-6200
Reduces the total amount of time a person may serve in the state legislature from 14 years to 12 years. Allows a person to serve a total of 12 years either in the Assembly, the Senate, or a combination of both. Provides a transition period to allow current members to serve a total of 12 consecutive years in the house in which they are currently serving, regardless of any prior service in another house. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: This measure would have no direct fiscal effect on state or local governments.
Text taken from the Secretary of State's website: Propositions that are on the February 5, 2008 Presidential Primary Election Ballot