Time to Vote

Well, if you're like me and find voting in person to be the 7th layer of hell, you're probably going to receive your absentee ballot anyday now. So, here as a quickie (if you want detail, check out the "8 Issues, 80 Million" entry from
June) is The Official 2005 Recall Arnold Schwarzenegger Voters Guide:


Prop 73 - Parental Notification - NO
Prop 74 - Teacher Tenure - NO
Prop 75 - Union Dues - NO
Prop 76 - "Governator" Power Grab - NO
Prop 77 - Off Year Redistricting - NO
Prop 78 - Voluntary Drug Discount - NO
Prop 79 - Mandatory Drug Discount - YES
Prop 80 - Electricity - NO

You might notice we've shifted on Prop 80. Why? Reading article after article on the bill, I have yet to see a good argument in favor. The best argument in favor seems to be its catchy title "Blackout Prevention Act". What the bill does do is set yet another 2/3rds vote requirement (in this case, for the legislature to override any provision contained in the measure). The widening array of 2/3rds vote requirements attached to state laws is part of why California is close to being ungovernable. In this case, in addition to being bad policy, the 2/3rds vote requirement could inadvertently cap California's renewable energy requirement at 20%, a figure I think we'd all like to see surpassed one day.

Arnold's Keystone: Out of Cash, Out of Hope

The keystone of Arnold's special election drive, Prop 76, is effectively broke. Supporters of the proposition which would allow the Governor to slash state spending unilaterally only have only about $7,600 in the bank according to a campaign financing report released last week. Various polls show 63%-65% of voters opposing the measure.