PROP 69
PROPOSITION 69: TRANSPORTATION LOCKBOX
June 2018 Ballot
What the heck is a lockbox?
Well...
The California legislature passed the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, which raised $5.2B in revenue with a $.12 gasoline tax hike, as well as some related fees. This proposition is not about whether or not those taxes should be raised—they already have been. This proposition is about what to do with the money.
1 - it would require the funds to be spent on streets, highways, and public transportation systems
2 - it would exempt the funds from the Gann Limit, which caps government spending, and from the requirement by Prop 98 (discussed elsewhere on this page) requiring part of the revenue to go to public education… and this is why they call it a “lockbox.”
A legislative supermajority has already passed this measure, and the governor has signed it. Now the voters must agree.
I doubt anyone in Sacramento who voted for the tax increase does not also support this proposition.
The California Democratic Party is behind this, as well as a number of municipalities.
Predictably, Prop 69’s opponents are shocked—shocked I tell you—and outraged!—Sigh. I’ll quote them. “Is this an admission that, like an alcoholic, Sacramento is saying it won’t siphon off some of your gas tax for other boondoggles, this time?”
Uh…
This isn’t about lack of self-control. It’s about ballot propositions piling up over the years and straitjacketing the budget process. Dear Chad Mayes: Quit trying to confuse people with your tears and your exclamation points, when you haven’t even raised a copper penny to spend in opposition to the measure.
Let me quote the Los Angeles Times: “To win support from tax-wary Republicans, proponents of [the Senate spending bill] promised that the new money would be used only for transportation. Proposition 69 would fulfill that promise.”
Right.
But you know what? Don’t take my word for it. Judge for yourself. Are you hitting potholes and other hazards all over the state? I am.
The taxes were already raised. It’s not about that.
This is about how to spend the money.
YES ON PROP 69
#Prop69
