November 14, 2005

"Ballot shutout sparks debate"

"State ballot initiatives aren't going away.

California voters might have defeated all eight statewide propositions in last Tuesday's special election, but initiative backers already have measures placed on next year's June and November ballots, and are pushing for a few dozen more.

But some critics are calling for adjustments to the ballot-initiative process. They want spending limits on initiative campaigns, stronger disclosure requirements for donations and fewer initiatives on the ballot.

Voters won't, however, relinquish the initiative option itself.

"We need to keep that. That's the only thing that will wake up Sacramento. That's the only thing that gets their attention," said Rod Schultz, a 58-year-old resident of the Riverside County community of Winchester.

Schultz said he backed some of Gov. Schwarzenegger's initiatives on last Tuesday's ballot and opposed others. He said he's a Democrat who votes across party lines.

"I think it's being abused, but I think the bottom line is the legislators and the governor have to understand that we want them to do their jobs."

Secretary of State Bruce McPherson said the number of proposals submitted to the state has grown out of control in recent years."

Here is the article.

Posted by Randy Riddle at November 14, 2005 02:16 PM