California Proposition 56 (2004)
Encyclopedia
Proposition 56 was a California ballot proposition
on the March 2, 2004 ballot. It failed to pass with 2,185,868 (34.3%) votes in favor and 4,183,188 (65.7%) against. It was intended to penalize the state's elected officials
for every day that the state budget is overdue. The proposition would also have lowered the threshold required pass a budget and enact new budget-related taxes to 55% from the two-thirds supermajority
vote currently required. (The two-thirds requirement was implemented with the passage of California Proposition 13
in 1978). Prop 56 was officially known as the Budget Accountability Act.
Summary of Legislative Analyst's Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact:
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...
on the March 2, 2004 ballot. It failed to pass with 2,185,868 (34.3%) votes in favor and 4,183,188 (65.7%) against. It was intended to penalize the state's elected officials
Government of California
The government of California operates in the context of a democratic republic with three branches of government: the executive branch consisting of the Governor of California and the other elected constitutional officers; the legislative branch consisting of the California State Legislature which...
for every day that the state budget is overdue. The proposition would also have lowered the threshold required pass a budget and enact new budget-related taxes to 55% from the two-thirds supermajority
Supermajority
A supermajority or a qualified majority is a requirement for a proposal to gain a specified level or type of support which exceeds a simple majority . In some jurisdictions, for example, parliamentary procedure requires that any action that may alter the rights of the minority has a supermajority...
vote currently required. (The two-thirds requirement was implemented with the passage of California Proposition 13
California Proposition 13 (1978)
Proposition 13 was an amendment of the Constitution of California enacted during 1978, by means of the initiative process. It was approved by California voters on June 6, 1978. It was declared constitutional by the United States Supreme Court in the case of Nordlinger v. Hahn,...
in 1978). Prop 56 was officially known as the Budget Accountability Act.
Official summary
- Permits LegislatureCalifornia State LegislatureThe 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...
to enact budget and budget-related tax and appropriation bills with 55% vote rather than 2/3 vote currently required. - Requires that Legislature, GovernorGovernor of CaliforniaThe Governor of California is the chief executive of the California state government, whose responsibilities include making annual State of the State addresses to the California State Legislature, submitting the budget, and ensuring that state laws are enforced...
permanently lose salary, expenses for each day budget is late. - Requires that Legislature stay in session until budget is passed.
- Requires budget summary in state ballot pamphlet and link to Internet website with legislators' voting records on budget and related taxes.
- Requires 25% of certain state revenue increases be deposited in reserve fund, which cannot be used to increase spending.
Summary of Legislative Analyst's Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact:
- This measure would have varying state fiscal impacts from lowering the legislative vote requirement for budget-related spending and tax increases - including changes in spending and potentially significant increases in state tax revenues in some years. Fiscal impacts would depend primarily on the composition and actions of future Legislatures.