Opinion, Berkeley Blogs

Vote NO on all initiatives

By Michael Eisen

One of the biggest problems facing California today is the huge fraction of the state budget that is committed to funding or servicing the debt on initiatives passed by voters. While many of these are worthy when viewed in isolation, it's a truly insane way to carve up what is a limited pot of money. The legislature - dysfunctional as it may sometimes be - needs to be able to craft a budget that represents the the true needs of the state and the spending priorities of its citizens, and not be held hostage to the free-spending whims of the electorate.

No matter how good an initiative may seem - to build schools, fund research into deadly diseases or preserve our parks - the best way to secure these things for the long haul is to vote no. So as a first step towards restoring budgetary sanity to California, I would like everyone in the state to join me in pledging to VOTE NO ON EVERYTHING.