Propositions Get Their Numbers

California Secretary of State Debra Bowen Monday assigned proposition numbers to the 10 ballot measures that have qualified for the state’s November general election — though one of them may be gone before then.

On Tuesday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he would ask lawmakers to postpone an $11.4 billion water bond measure until 2012, saying it would have a better chance of passing then. Lawmakers have until August to decide what they are going to do with what is now Proposition 18.

The other nine ballot measures qualified through the signature-gathering process, and include a wide variety of interesting — and conflicting — topics.

Proposition 20 would expand the duties of the state’s new independent redistricting commission to include drawing the lines of congressional districts; while Proposition 27 would go the opposite route by eliminating the redistricting commission and letting state lawmakers draw the lines.

Proposition 25 would change the budget process by allowing lawmakers to pass the state budget with a majority vote instead of the current two thirds, while Proposition 26 would impose a two-thirds vote requirement on the Legislature and local governments to levy fees that can currently be raised with a majority vote.

Proposition 23, which is expected to draw major financial backing from the oil industry, would suspend the state’s greenhouse gas regulations.

Proposition 22 would limit the state government’s ability to take funds from sources currently assigned to local governments. Proposition 24 would repeal business tax credits that were enacted last year to secure Republican votes for the budget.

Proposition 21 would enact an $18 fee on license plates to fund state parks, reducing their dependence on the state general fund.

Finally, Proposition 19 would legalize marijuana.

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