'YES' ON PROPOSITION 1F
This proposition would prevent lawmakers and other state elected officials from receiving pay raises if the state budget was expected to end the fiscal year in a deficit.
It is one of the concessions that Sen. Abel Maldonado, R-Santa Maria, extracted from Democrats and the governor as the price for his budget vote in February.
Maldonado, exploiting an issue that is likely to play well with outraged voters, says it's unacceptable that lawmakers would receive pay hikes in years in which they can't balance the state's books.
Thus he became the father of Proposition 1F, which would apply to the governor and lawmakers and also – oddly – elected officials who have no budgetary duties, such as the secretary of state.
Pundits have dismissed Proposition 1F as a cynical ploy by a politician hoping to curry favor with voters, and it's hard to argue with that assessment.
On the other hand, there's no real downside to this measure and a slim chance it might apply some needed pressure on lawmakers.
We can think of better ways to accomplish budget reform, but if it makes you feel better to take a whack at lawmakers, go right ahead. We all need ways to brighten our spirits these days.
Voting "Yes" on Proposition 1F could be the perfect medicine.
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