Citizens in Charge

In a few hours California voters will take to the polls and decide the fate of their state. Using the initiative and referendum process millions of people will weigh on important measures. In Paul Jacob’s weekly column he writes how he is “jealous” of Californian’s power.

Californians live in one of 24 states that have the power of initiative and referendum. While he agrees the process is not perfect but states it provides people with options.

Jacob also takes on critics on the initiative process. For one, he clarifies that in California, voters are not voting on citizen initiatives, “These six propositions are legislative referrals, placed on the ballot by a vote of the state legislature.”

Read his column “Ode to California”:

On Tuesday, Californians will get to do something that I love to do: Vote. The Golden State’s Assembly has placed six measures on a statewide special election ballot.

Forget for a moment that these ballot measures 1A through 1F include a giant tax increase paired with a phony spending cap, an authorization to borrow billions from future lottery receipts, and two spending shifts away from voter-approved programs.

Remember that five of the six propositions seem thankfully headed to almost certain defeat. In fact, the only ballot item that appears likely to win — and win big — is Proposition 1F, which stops pay increases for the governor, top state officials, and state legislators when the general fund is in deficit.

Legislators were offering this one sweetener. Voters seem likely to eat this sweet dessert and leave the meat and potatoes behind.

I won’t blame them for voting down the first five measures. I would, too. In fact, I envy Californians for getting the opportunity to vote these idiotic proposals down. I’d certainly like an opportunity to veto plenty of stuff passed by my legislature, and to weigh in on budget decisions.

Read more at TownHall.com