Statewide propositions end predictably

by John Seiler | November 4, 2014 10:02 pm

The statewide propositions ended predictably, with the side spending the most money on TV ads winning. The preliminary numbers:

Prop. 1, water bonds. Winning 68-32[1]. The $7.5 billion in water bonds will cost $15 billion to pay off. For that, only $2.5 billion will go to dams and reservoirs to help alleviate future droughts. It’s a typical California ripoff, with special interests getting the lion’s share of the money.

Prop. 2, rainy day budget fund. Winning 71-29[2]. The Legislature always has figured out ways to grab the money in previous rainy-day funds guaranteed by initiatives. We’ll see if that happens again.

Prop. 45, giving the insurance commissioner authority over medical insurance rates. Losing, 61-39[3]. Massive ads against it doomed the initiative.

Prop. 46, drug testing doctors. Losing 68-32[4]. A silly regulation that would have driven doctors from their profession faster than Obamacare is.

Prop. 47, reducing penalties, mainly for drug use. Winning, 57-43[5]. A big coalition backed it. A rare defeat for law-enforcement unions.

Prop. 48, Indian gaming compact. Losing, 63-37[6].

Endnotes:

68-32: http://vote.sos.ca.gov/returns/maps/ballot-measures/prop/1/
71-29: http://vote.sos.ca.gov/returns/maps/ballot-measures/prop/2/
61-39: http://vote.sos.ca.gov/returns/maps/ballot-measures/prop/45/
68-32: http://vote.sos.ca.gov/returns/maps/ballot-measures/prop/46/
57-43: http://vote.sos.ca.gov/returns/maps/ballot-measures/prop/47/
63-37: http://vote.sos.ca.gov/returns/maps/ballot-measures/prop/48/

Source URL: https://calwatchdog.com/2014/11/04/statewide-propositions-end-predictably/