Heated Battle Over Props on the May 19th Ballot Begins

On the May 19th special election ballot, we'll be voting for Los Angeles City Attorney and a new representative for Council District 5. And while those are very important to us locally, the big news across the state will be the six propositions that are supposed to help fix the state's budget woes and from having it happen again, finds the LA Times.

Governor Schwarzenegger and Democrats are expected to be campaigning aggressively along with the campaign committee called Budget Reform Now, which includes California Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable. Designed to give something for everyone, even some unions, like the teachers union, are jumping on board to get the Props passed.

Without major business or union support, this is making it tough for the opposition to raise money, nevertheless the Times called it an "aggressive" campaign.

The six props ask us to extend the new temporary tax increases, limit government spending, borrow money from the state lottery, temporarily move money away from preschool and mentally ill programs, give back funds to schools and community colleges and stop paying elected officials salary increases on years they don't pass a balanced budget.

The local blog The Policy Report has already made their decisions on how to vote, each with their own analyses. Expect to see a lot more voting guides as the campaign trails nears the election.