Californians Feel Better

Californians may have missed the presidential race, but eleven ballot issues spent presidential-level campaign money. A total of more than $425 million was spent on the propositions, with $139 million, or a third of it, aimed at the defeated Proposition 31, a prohibition on employee payroll deductions. Labor and its allies spent more than corporate and business supporters by $13 million.

Governor Brown is Back

Most politically significant was Governor Brown’s successful temporary tax, Proposition 30, which seldom polled above 50 percent, but won an 11-point victory. The comfortable margin has provided Brown with an improved approval rating and political momentum. Proposition 30 was the other biggest election spender, with the Governor’s allies coming up with $67 million vs. $53 million opposed.

The Governor’s success in raising statewide taxes was unexpected and was a product of:

• His indefatigable campaigning.
• Hispanic and young voters turning out and providing 20-point margins.
• Having the proposition linked to identified and immediate cuts in K-12 spending and increases in college tuition.
• Significant funding to conduct a strong campaign.
• Laying the groundwork with major cuts in government expenditures earlier in the year and a reform (albeit modest) of state and local pension obligations.

Post-election polls describe the state’s voters, in general, as more upbeat and optimistic about 2013.

Constitutional Reform

Leaders interested in cleaning up state constitutions were not encouraged by the defeat of Proposition 31, an initiative promoted by a reform group of citizens supported by some of California’s leading foundations. Little was spent in favor ($4 million) and almost nothing against, but it had little chance with all the attention given to the Governor’s proposition and labor’s intense opposition to Proposition 31.  The reform proposition was also described as complicated, lacking a statewide constituency and without a sense of urgency.