The Esteem of Public Officials

The first Field Poll on the six measures adopted by the legislature to solve the budget crisis in California is revealing in several dimensions. First, voters seem to understand that the state will, at least temporarily need revenues. Prop 1A which adds revenues but also creates a new type of spending cap has support of 57% of the voters. Support for that drops when voters figure out that the measure extends the tax raisers. Measures that might affect kids have a tougher time - so Prop 1B and 1D have the respective support of 53% and 54% of the voters. California has an odd situation in relation to our schools. We've gone from one of the highest spending states to well below the median. Prop 98 was sold to the voters as protecting schools and clearly it has not. While I suspect most voters would, if they understood the complexities of Proposition 98, support a modification, voters are not as supportive of that change. Again, even though the First Five (Prop 1D) money has been frittered away, because it was dedicated to children, it receives only tepid support. Proposition C, which would sell the lottery, has only 47% support. I suspect that comes from voter recognition that the proposed sale might not be as lucrative as our public officials expect it would be. Finally, Prop 1E which would divert the money used for community mental health, through a dedicated tax, receives 57% support. By the way, in the same poll 55% of the voters are skeptical of the budget solution. I suspect that comes from two sources - the length of time that it took to adopt it and the complexity of the deal. But based on the numbers for the propositions - even though they are skeptical - they support the measures required to adopt the budget. Contrary to the argument that some elected officials have about voters, that they are self-interested narrow minded twits, the response to the six measures seems pretty thoughtful.

But then comes the kicker. The most vigorously supported measure among the six pack of measures would cut public official's pay if they dithered with setting a budget. If elected officials thought they were held in any esteem, the 77% support for that measure should wake them to reality.