California Online Voter Guide

12th Edition, November 2005 Special Election

Proposition 76: School Funding. State Spending. Initiative Constitutional Amendment. Failed

Summary

Changes state minimum school funding requirements (Proposition 98), permitting suspension of minimum funding, but terminating repayment requirement, and eliminating authority to reduce funding when state revenues decrease. Excludes above-minimum appropriations from schools’ funding base. Limits state spending to prior year total plus revenue growth. Shifts excess revenues from schools/tax relief to budget reserve, specified construction, debt repayment. Requires Governor to reduce state appropriations, under specified circumstances, including employee compensation, state contracts. Continues prior year appropriations if new state budget delayed. Prohibits state special funds borrowing. Requires payment of local government mandates.

Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: Spending limit could constrain state expenditures over time. Other provisions would have major impacts on state budget decision making, which could lead to varying outcomes regarding the level of state spending and on the composition of that spending among education, transportation, and other state programs. Provisions allowing Governor to reduce appropriations could result in lower state spending in certain years when the state was facing unresolved budget shortfalls. Full Text of Proposition (PDF)

Official Campaign Web Sites and Contact Information

Yes on Proposition 76
Governor Schwarzenegger's California Recovery Team
310 Main Street, Suite 225, Santa Monica, CA
info@joinarnold.com
No on Proposition 76
No on 76, Coalition of educators, firefighters, school employees, health care givers and labor organizations
1510 J Street, Suite 210, Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 443-7817 or info@noonproposition76.com

Who Signed the Ballot Arguments

Yes on Proposition 76:

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Tom Campbell, Director, California Department of Finance
Sandra L. McBrayer, Former National Teacher of the Year

No on Proposition 76:

Brenda J. Davis, President, California State PTA
Henry L. "Hank" Lacayo, State President, Congress of California Seniors
Wayne Quint, Jr., President, California Coalition of Law Enforcement Associations

Follow the Money

Detailed information about all contributors for and against Prop. 76 is available through Cal-Access, the Secretary of State's campaign finance website. For the most recent contributions, select a committee and click "Late and $5000+ Contributions Received".

Major contributors supporting Prop. 76 as of October 22 include A. Jerrold Perenchio of Los Angeles, William A. Robinson of Rancho Mirage, John A. Gunn of Palo Alto and Governor Schwarzenegger's California Recovery Team of Sacramento.

Major contributors opposing Prop. 76 as of October 22 include Alliance for a Better California of Sacramento, California Teachers Association/Issues PAC of Burlingame, Voter Registration 2006 of Sacramento and Marshall Wexler of Encino.

News Stories about the Initiatives

CVF's News Stories section provides California voters with convenient access to news articles that give an overview of the potential impact of each initiative on the ballot.

For More Information, CVF Recommends...

The California Secretary of State publishes the Official Voter Information Guide with both a Quick Summary and Detailed Information about Proposition 76.

Other good nonpartisan resources include the League of Women Voters' brief Pro/Con Analysis and longer In-Depth Analysis, the McGeorge School of Law California Initiative Review, an analysis by the California Policy Institute, and the Easy Voter Guide.

Around the Capitol's Election Track featuring up-to-date campaign contribution data.

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