Budget Ballot Items Lead in Polls

All six budget-related measures on California’s May 19 special election ballot are ahead in the polls, according to a public opinion survey released this week.

The measures were placed on the ballot as part and parcel of the compromise budget lawmakers adopted last month to patch the state’s $40 billion-plus budget hole.

Proposition 1C, which would authorize the issuance of $5 billion in bonds backed by revenue from the state lottery, fared the weakest of the six, according to the Field Poll.

The budget depends on the lottery bond proceeds to keep in balance. But only 47% of likely voters said they supported the measure, with 39% opposed and the rest undecided.

The other key ballot measure, Proposition 1A, to establish spending limits and beef up the state’s rainy-day fund, was supported by 57% of likely voters, with 21% opposed and the remainder undecided.

If Proposition 1A passes, temporary tax increases approved by lawmakers last week will stay in effect for longer than if the measure fails.

When told of that provision, of the 57% of likely voters initially supporting the measure, 23% say knowledge of the tax extension makes them more inclined to vote “no,” the poll found.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM BOND BUYER