CA ballot initiatives

Here's what's been submitted so far:

Teacher tenure: Would extend from two to five years the time before teachers in public schools could qualify for tenure.

One of Arnold's babies. This one was actually an idea from my own Representative. I actually sent her an e-mail asking her to discuss the merits of this idea, and she never replied. I assume, then, that there aren't any.

Spending curbs: Would cap the amount of money that could be spent on government programs and could force automatic cuts if the state budget was not approved on time or fell out of balance during the year.

Another one of Arnold's, this one could have a potential negative impact on school funding, police funding, et al.

Lawmakers' districts: Would give a panel of retired judges responsibility for determining the boundaries of legislative and congressional districts — a task now performed by the Legislature. Would order districts redrawn next year.

Arnold's third baby. State Democrats have already agreed to the redrawing of congressional districts by judges. However there are severe time constraints that inhibit this being done by 2006, and it's wasteful spending to do it in 2008. If Arnold weren't so headstrong, this one probably wouldn't need to be here.

Public union dues: Would prohibit public labor unions from using a member's dues for political contributions unless the member agreed in writing.

I'm not sure who put this one on the ballot, but it should bring in a lot of union money from all over the country. Since union stance generally oppose the Schwarzenegger proposals, this could spell big trouble for Arnold come election night.

If this one does pass, however, it could be a major blow to Democratic fundraising.

Abortion notification: Would block minors from obtaining abortions until 48 hours after their parents were notified.

Quite honestly I see nothing wrong with this, as long as there is an exemption in cases of incest and familial rape.

Required prescription drug discounts. Would require drug companies to lower the prices of medicine for Californians earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level, or $38,280 for individuals. Companies that refused would face new barriers to having their drugs prescribed in the state's Medi-Cal program.

Voluntary prescription drug discounts: Companies would lower prices for Californians earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level, or $28,710 for individuals. There would be no penalty for companies that didn't reduce prices. The pharmaceutical industry agreed to this plan in negotiations with Schwarzenegger last year.

I could totally see both of these passing, unless one's passage negates the other. In this instance, I go for number one, although I could get behind a hybrid bill with the requirement provision and the 300% figure.

Electricity: Would reverse the last vestiges of California's failed 1996 electricity deregulation law, putting all power producers under the jurisdiction of the California Public Utilities Commission and making it illegal for large users to sign new contracts to buy electricity outside the state's power grid. Schwarzenegger vetoed similar legislation last year.

Quite honestly, I don't know how I feel about this one without more research.