Propositions In: Four Pass, Five Fail

ALAN TAM
SHANNON LI
News Editors
California’s economic troubles have been a major catalyst for many of the 2010 ballot measures. Nearly every proposition proposed in the November elections cited the potential financial benefits that would result from their passage.
Proposition 19 was the first time in U.S. history that a statewide referendum would have decriminalized marijuana. In opinion polls, the measure was favored to pass. However, it was rejected by a margin of 53.8 to 46.2 percent in the election. Analysts say that there is a social bias that makes it difficult for anonymous surveys to take an accurate measure of public approval of controlled substances.
Proposition 23 was the ballot measure that would have suspended California’s air pollution control law (AB 32) until the unemployment rate falls to 5.5 percent. Notable for the financing it received from two out-of-state oil companies, it failed, receiving only 38.9 percent of the vote.
“[The] defeat of [Proposition] 23 proves that Californians are serious about protecting the environment,” said senior James Liu. “[It] means there will be more jobs available in the alternative energy sector in California.”
Another ballot option up for passage was Proposition 25, a proposal which would allow the state legislature to approve a budget with a simple majority vote.
“[It] demonstrat[ed] a […] divide in the minds of the California people,” said senior Bob Qian. “While long-term consequences are […] unclear, the elimination of a super majority in order to pass a budget will [lead to] a more efficient system.”