California Proposition 1D (2009)
Encyclopedia
Proposition 1D was a defeated California
ballot proposition
that appeared on the May 19, 2009 special election
ballot. The measure was legislatively-referred
by the State Legislature
. If approved, the proposition would have authorized a one-time reallocation of tobacco tax revenue to help balance the state budget.
during a special session, months after it was due. As part of the plan to lower the state's annual deficits, the State Legislature ordered a special election with various budget reform ballot propositions, among them Proposition 1D.
The proposition was part of Assembly Bill 17 (Third Extraordinary Session), which was authored by Assemblywoman Noreen Evans
, a Democrat
from Santa Rosa
. The bill passed in the State Assembly
by a vote of 75 to 3 and in the State Senate
by a vote of 37 to 0.
programs under the terms of Proposition 10
. That revenue, plus $340 million in unspent First Five tobacco tax money held in a reserve fund at the time, would have instead been used to pay for other state government health and human services programs that serve children, including Medi-Cal
, foster care
, child care subsidies, preschool programs
, and more. Money for these programs came from the state's General Fund at the time.
At the time, 80% of First Five money was distributed to county governments for similar programs, including government "school readiness" programs for pre-schoolers, Medi-Cal health coverage to children whose family income is above the cap for that program, government parent-education training, food and clothing subsidies, and more. Under Proposition 1D, that revenue stream would have ceased for five years, essentially ending most First Five programs.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
ballot proposition
California ballot proposition
In California, a ballot proposition is a proposed law that is submitted to the electorate for approval in a direct vote . It may take the form of a constitutional amendment or an ordinary statute. A ballot proposition may be proposed by the State Legislature or by a petition signed by members of...
that appeared on the May 19, 2009 special election
California state special elections, 2009
The California state special elections, 2009 were held on May 19, 2009 throughout the state of California. The elections were authorized by the State Legislature and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as a part of a budget signed into law on February 19, 2009...
ballot. The measure was legislatively-referred
Legislative referral
A Legislative referral is a form of referendum in which a legislature puts proposed legislation up for popular vote , rather than through the initiative or referendum process...
by the State Legislature
California State Legislature
The California State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of California. It is a bicameral body consisting of the lower house, the California State Assembly, with 80 members, and the upper house, the California State Senate, with 40 members...
. If approved, the proposition would have authorized a one-time reallocation of tobacco tax revenue to help balance the state budget.
Background
In February 2009, the State Legislature narrowly passed the 2008–2009 state budget2008–2009 California budget crisis
The U.S. state of California had, and still currently does have, a budget crisis in which it faced a shortfall of at least $11.2 billion, projected to top $40 billion over the 2009–2010 fiscal years.-2008:...
during a special session, months after it was due. As part of the plan to lower the state's annual deficits, the State Legislature ordered a special election with various budget reform ballot propositions, among them Proposition 1D.
The proposition was part of Assembly Bill 17 (Third Extraordinary Session), which was authored by Assemblywoman Noreen Evans
Noreen Evans
Noreen Evans is an American politician in the California State Senate. She is a Democrat representing the 2nd district, encompassing Humboldt, Mendocino, Lake, and Napa counties, as well as parts of Sonoma and Solano counties....
, a Democrat
California Democratic Party
The California Democratic Party is the state branch of the Democratic Party in the state of California, headquartered in Sacramento. It is chaired by veteran Democratic politician and former United States Representative John L. Burton, who succeeded Art Torres in April 2009. It is the majority...
from Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa, California
Santa Rosa is the county seat of Sonoma County, California, United States. The 2010 census reported a population of 167,815. Santa Rosa is the largest city in California's Wine Country and fifth largest city in the San Francisco Bay Area, after San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland, and Fremont and 26th...
. The bill passed in the State Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
by a vote of 75 to 3 and in the State Senate
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote...
by a vote of 37 to 0.
Proposal
Proposition 1D, officially entitled "Budget Act of 2008. Children and Families Act: use of funds: services for children.", would have authorized a fund-shift of $268 million in annual tobacco tax revenue currently earmarked for First Five early childhood developmentChild development
Child development stages describe theoretical milestones of child development. Many stage models of development have been proposed, used as working concepts and in some cases asserted as nativist theories....
programs under the terms of Proposition 10
California Proposition 10 (1998)
California Proposition 10 is an initiative state constitutional amendment that appeared in the 1998 California General Election. The official name of this amendment is “The Children and Families First Act.” This amendment put a $.50 tax on cigarettes, and even up to $1 on other tobacco products...
. That revenue, plus $340 million in unspent First Five tobacco tax money held in a reserve fund at the time, would have instead been used to pay for other state government health and human services programs that serve children, including Medi-Cal
Medi-Cal
The California Medical Assistance Program is the name of the California Medicaid program serving low-income families, seniors, persons with disabilities, children in foster care, pregnant women, and certain low-income adults...
, foster care
Foster care
Foster care is the term used for a system in which a minor who has been made a ward is placed in the private home of a state certified caregiver referred to as a "foster parent"....
, child care subsidies, preschool programs
Preschool education
Preschool education is the provision of learning to children before the commencement of statutory and obligatory education, usually between the ages of zero and three or five, depending on the jurisdiction....
, and more. Money for these programs came from the state's General Fund at the time.
At the time, 80% of First Five money was distributed to county governments for similar programs, including government "school readiness" programs for pre-schoolers, Medi-Cal health coverage to children whose family income is above the cap for that program, government parent-education training, food and clothing subsidies, and more. Under Proposition 1D, that revenue stream would have ceased for five years, essentially ending most First Five programs.