COVERITLIVE.COM

10:04

John Marelius -

Today is Election Day. At stake are six propositions originally designed to balance the state budget. But the deficit has grown so large -- $21 billion by the latest estimate -- that even if the propositions pass, the state will only climb a little bit of the way out of the hole. Polls indicate that is unlikely to happen. Meanwhile, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger left the state for Election Day to be in Washington where President Obama just announced the U.S. is adopting California's auto emissions standards. So let's get to your questions and comments.

10:05

[Comment From JoM]
Is Arnold is conceding defeat by not being present?

10:08

John Marelius - I don't know if I'd say that, but being out of state on Election Day is certainly unusual for any governor. It's unclear whether he plans to be back for election night, but he has his own plane so he could be if he wanted to. Still, the auto emissions issue is a big deal for him. And if he's going to have a legacy, it's going to have to be on the environment and political reform. It won't be for balancing the budget.

10:10

SignOnLiveChatModerator - John, in your story in today's Union-Tribune you said that only one prop, 1F, enjoys strong support at the polls. What is that proposition and will that support turn into a win for that measure?

10:11

SignOnLiveChatModerator - For those who would like to read John's story, you can find it here: http://tinyurl.com/ouothc

10:14

John Marelius - Proposition 1F denies pay raises to state elected officials when the state is running a deficit. It sounds good, but doesn't really do much. Salaries are set by an independent commission which was part of a ballot propositions voters probably don't even remember voting for. The commission seldom approves pay raises during bad economies anyway.

10:14

[Comment From Tony]
What

10:15

[Comment From Tony]
What's your perspective on the disingenuous titling and description of the initiatives themselves?

10:18

John Marelius - Without commenting on your characterization (although it's hard to disagree with) that is the product of the ballot proposition process. When a citizen initiative qualifies for the ballot, the attorney general's office writes the title and summary and the secretary of state solicits pro and con arguments. When the Legislature puts something on the ballot the Legislature writes the title and summary and decides who gets to write the ballot arguments. Obviously, that allows the Legislature to word things in the manner it finds most convenient.

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