California voters are heading to the polls today in an election elected officials hope will help solve the state’s current fiscal crisis. While some local elections are in play, the focus of today’s big event are on six state budget propositions all geared toward decreasing California’s current deficit. These propositions include massive cuts in spending across the board as the California legislature has been as of yet unable to raise funds through other outlets.
Since the beginning of this current economic downturn, California has already cut spending, raised taxes and borrowed heavily to move their deficit from a daunting $42 billion to a still daunting $21 billion. And if today’s propositions pass that number will move even lower to $15 billion. Which is still a lot of money. Especially as the unpopular propositions currently seem unlikely to pass. Which of course also begs the question — Is California too big to fail?
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger left earlier today to meet with President Barack Obama in regards to Obama’s new emission standards. Maybe he should be asking for a bailout as well.
Polls are open today from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Election results will be posted here as they come in. Also check the Department of Elections website starting at 8:30 p.m. for up-to-the-minute results.
UPDATE — The results are in:
Proposition 1A “Rainy Day” Budget Stabilization Fund — Failed (34.1% / 65.9%)
Proposition 1B Education Funding. Payment Plan. — Failed (37.4% / 62.6%)
Proposition 1C Lottery Modernization Act — Failed (35.4% / 64.6%)
Proposition 1D Children’s Services Funding — Failed (34.2% / 65.8%)
Proposition 1E Mental Health Funding — Failed (33.6% / 66.4%)
Proposition 1F Elected Officials Salaries — Passed (73.9% / 26.1%)
Congressional District 32 Primary Election:
Judy Chu (Dem) — 31.90%
Gil Cedillo (Dem) — 23.38%
Emanuel Pleitez (Dem) — 13.54%
Betty Chu (Rep) — 10.43%
Senate District 26 General Election:
Curren D. Price, Jr. (Dem) — 70.44%
Nachum Shifren (Rep) — 21.12%
Cindy Varela Henderson (P&F) — 8.43%
i’m hoping these fail… we don’t need more cuts in education and other services.
no thanks