LAKE COUNTY ? Voters statewide rejected five out of six ballot measures Tuesday that were designed to help reduce the state”s budget deficit.
Measures 1A-1F were part of a package agreed upon by the state legislature to create a $6 billion solution to the $15.4 billion deficit. They included proposals to raise taxes, create a “rainy day” fund, borrow from state lottery profits and divert money from healthcare programs. The only one approved, 1F, will freeze legislators” salaries during deficit years.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a May 14 town hall meeting held in the City of Industry that if the measures failed, the state”s budget would increase to $21.3 billion. He said the state would be in a “worst-case scenario” if voters didn”t approve the measures.
“To solve our immediate cash crisis, we simply cannot avoid deep and painful cuts in spending,” Schwarzenegger said.
To solve the existing crisis and the anticipated widening of the deficit, Schwarzenegger proposed a mix of cuts, borrowing and other actions. They include a $3 billion cut in education spending, which could mean the loss of five days from a school year.
The governor also proposed “finding savings” in social, developmental and health care services, which he said comprise the second-largest part of the state”s budget. The proposals also included borrowing $6 billion and delaying repairs to the state capitol for a year.
Only 29.5 of Lake County”s voters participated in the election.
Statewide, 73.9 percent of the voters approved Measure 1F, designed to prevent pay raises for elected state officials during deficit years. Lake County”s vote mirrored that of the state, with 75.3 percent in favor of the measure.
Measure 1A, designed to create a “rainy day” fund in the state”s budget, failed with 65.9 percent of the state”s voters against it. In Lake County, 66.3 percent of the voters opposed the measure.
Measure 1B would have required the state to make payments to schools and community colleges beginning in the 2011-12 fiscal year. The measure failed with 62.6 voting against it statewide. Lake County”s vote was 62.8 percent opposed.
Measure 1C would have allowed the state to borrow $5 billion in future lottery profits to balance the 2009-10 budget. The measure failed with 64.6 percent voting against it statewide. Voters in Lake County rejected it as well, with 65 percent of the voters opposed.
Measure 1D would have allowed the state to borrow more than $1.4 billion from voter-approved funds for the California Children and Families Program. The measure failed with 65.8 percent of the state”s voters against it. In Lake County, 67.6 percent of the voters opposed it.
Measure 1E would have allowed the state to redirect approximately $640 million from voter-approved money for expansion of mental health programs. The measure failed with 66.4 percent of the state”s voters against it. In Lake County, 68.9 percent of the voters opposed the measure.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com, or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
