.gif)
California Proposition 3 (2008)
Encyclopedia
Proposition 3 is a law that was enacted by California
voters by means of the initiative
process. It is a bond issue that authorizes $980,000,000 in bonds, to be repaid from state’s General Fund, to fund the construction, expansion, remodeling, renovation, furnishing and equipping of children’s hospitals. The annual payment on the debt authorized by the initiative is approximately $64 million a year. Altogether, the measure would cost about $1.9 billion over 30 years out of California's general fund..
The initiative was presented to the Attorney-General's office in July 2007 and the measure was put to a vote as part of the 4 November 2008 state elections
. It now forms Part 6.1 of the Health and Safety Code.
A smaller, but similar, bond measure for hospitals, Proposition 61
, was approved by voters in 2004, totalling $750 million. As of June 1, 2008, about $403 million (just over half the total sum) had been spent.
editorialized in favor. Arno Political Consultants
was paid about $1,028,000 to conduct the petition drive that qualified the measure for the ballot.
and the Pasadena Star News editorialized against the measure. Against the measure it was argued that
A Field Poll taken in mid-September found that only 18% of 830 likely voters surveyed across the state had heard of Proposition 3 prior to being told of it by the survey interviewer.
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...
voters by means of the initiative
Initiative
In political science, an initiative is a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote...
process. It is a bond issue that authorizes $980,000,000 in bonds, to be repaid from state’s General Fund, to fund the construction, expansion, remodeling, renovation, furnishing and equipping of children’s hospitals. The annual payment on the debt authorized by the initiative is approximately $64 million a year. Altogether, the measure would cost about $1.9 billion over 30 years out of California's general fund..
The initiative was presented to the Attorney-General's office in July 2007 and the measure was put to a vote as part of the 4 November 2008 state elections
California state elections, November 2008
The California state elections, November 2008 were held on November 4, 2008 throughout California. Among the elections taking place were those for the office of President of the United States, all the seats of California's delegation to the House of Representatives, all of the seats of the State...
. It now forms Part 6.1 of the Health and Safety Code.
A smaller, but similar, bond measure for hospitals, Proposition 61
California Proposition 61 (2004)
Proposition 61 was a California ballot proposition on the November 2, 2004 ballot. It passed with 6,629,095 votes in favor and 4,750,309 against. The proposition was the result of an initiative and authorized the sale of $750 million in bonds to provide funding for children's hospitals...
, was approved by voters in 2004, totalling $750 million. As of June 1, 2008, about $403 million (just over half the total sum) had been spent.
Estimate of fiscal impact
The Legislative Analyst estimated that the proposed law would cost about $2 billion over thirty years to pay off both the principal ($980 million) and the interest ($933 million) costs of the bonds. Payments of about $64 million per year would be required.Supporters
The official committee supporting the initiative was called the California Children's Hospital Association Initiative Fund. The campaign to enact the measure was largely supported by hospitalsall donors to the campaign of over $5,000 were such institutions. It was argued that passing the initiative would help provide the hospitals with enough money for greater bed capacity and to purchase important equipment as well as the most modern technologies. The Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
editorialized in favor. Arno Political Consultants
Arno Political Consultants
Arno Political Consultants, Inc. is a company based in Lincoln, California. The company was founded in 1979 by Michael Arno.The company reports that its former and current clients include the National Rifle Association and R. J...
was paid about $1,028,000 to conduct the petition drive that qualified the measure for the ballot.
Opponents
The National Tax Limitation Committee, chaired by Lew Uhler, was the official committee opposed to the measure. The Appeal-DemocratAppeal-Democrat
The Appeal-Democrat is a daily broadsheet newspaper printed in Marysville, California, in the United States. It has an estimated circulation of 23,000 copies a day, primarily in Yuba and Sutter counties...
and the Pasadena Star News editorialized against the measure. Against the measure it was argued that
- Proposition 3 would be a misuse of the public ballot system by special interests
- The measure would allow money to go to hospitals that were not children's hospitals.
- The same special interest groups as supported Proposition 3 had supported the passage of the similar Proposition 61, and half of that money remained unspent.
Polling
| Month of Poll | Polling company | In Favor | Opposed | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2008 | Field | 47 percent | 35 percent | 18 percent |
A Field Poll taken in mid-September found that only 18% of 830 likely voters surveyed across the state had heard of Proposition 3 prior to being told of it by the survey interviewer.
Result of vote
Additional reading
- State Proposition 3 would fund children's hospitals
- Children's hospitals seek more bond money with Prop 3
External links
- Full text of Proposition 3
- Imagine With Us, official website supporting Prop 3.
- California Voter's Guide for Proposition 3
- Official Ballot Text
- Committee filing for the California Children's Hospital Association Initiative Fund
- CaliforniaPropositions.org Prop 3 information page
- California Voter Online guide to Proposition 3
- Smart Voter Guide to Proposition 3