Legislating a way to make state spending more responsible is a
nice idea, and if that was all Proposition 76 did, it might be a
more attractive proposal.
But, under certain conditions, the proposition also gives the
governor the power to make unilateral spending cuts. That is where
Proposition 76 crosses the line.
Given that the legislature has had trouble delivering the budget
by the deadline, it’s easy to argue that the process needs to
be fixed. But concentrating the ability to make cuts in the hands
of one person violates the whole system of checks and balances that
democracy is built on. Sure, we might get an expedited budget, but
will it be fair?
And while the spending cap Proposition 76 would impose might
sound like a way to restore fiscal responsibility, voters should be
wary. An analysis done by the impartial Legislative Analyst Office
found that if the cap had been in effect for the past 20 years, it
would have restricted state spending by at least $12 billion
““ about as much as the state spends on higher education.
To be fair, no one knows what kind of economic effect
Proposition 76 would have on the state if it passes. But the idea
of giving one person more power over a room full of legislators
elected to represent the people does not sit well with this
board.