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February 19, 2010
Republicans Answer Back
The Senate Republicans introduced their CA Jobs First bills package earlier this week. The package includes 24 bills, many of which Republican Legislators have tried to pass for years. Some of the bills highlighted are SBX8 65: Out of State Health Plans, SBX8 69: Tort Reform, SBX8 43: Capital Gains Tax Reduction, and SBX8 48: Systematic Review of Regulations. To compare, the Senate Democrats 27 bill package contains SBX8 35: Green Schools, SB 722: Renewable Energy Standards, and the controversial Gas Tax Swap which would increase the excise tax on gas and twist the Governor’s proposal to end sales tax. For more information on the Republican Jobs Plan, visit www.CAJobsFirst.com.
CFRW OPPOSES Prop 14
The CFRW Voting Body has OPPOSED Prop 14, the “Top Two Primaries Act.” This proposition will be on the June Primary Ballot. The deceptive act may look like a good idea to the uniformed voter, so it is imperative that our members get involved and educate the citizens of California. One of our Legislative Analysts, Joan Clendenin, analyzed this bill for us. Her analysis is as follows:
“What This Bill Does:
1. Known as the “Top Two Primaries Act,” this measure would provide for a “voter-nominated primary election” for each state elective office and congressional office in California in which a voter may vote at the primary election for any candidate for a congressional or state elective office without regard for the political party preference disclosed by the candidate or voter.
2. Allow a candidate for a congressional office or state elective office to choose whether to have his/her political party preference designated on the ballot.
3. Prohibit a political party or party central committee from nominating a candidate for congressional or state elective office but would permit a political party or central committee to endorse, support, or oppose a candidate for congressional or state elective office.
4. Require that the two candidates receiving the highest vote totals for each office at a primary election, regardless of party preference, would compete for said office in the general election. Political parties are prohibited from having the name of their preferred candidate compete in the general election for a voter-nominated office other that a candidate who is one of the top two highest vote-getters at the primary election. Conversely, a political party may not prevent a candidate of that party, who participated in the primary election, from a position on the general election ballot.
The author of this measure often refers to this as an ‘open primary,’ but that is not actually correct. An open primary is one in which voters can vote in the primary of any party they wish, but only in that party’s primary for all races on the ballot. The winner for the primary for each party advances to the November ballot in a multi-party, multi-candidate field. Under this measure, the nominees from all political parties, including multiple candidates from the same party, compete against each other in a single primary battle. With only the top two vote-getters advancing to the November General Election, those two candidates could be from the same political party and rarely would a third-party or independent candidate be among them. Under this top two system, Democrats could be forced to either vote for a Republican in many races, or not vote at all. Likewise, Republicans could be forced to vote for Democrats. That is not choice and it is not democratic. There is nothing ‘open’ about this proposed scheme.”
Next Tuesday, February 23rd, a forum regarding this ballot measure will be held in Sacramento. Your Legislative Advocate will be in attendance to learn more about the initiative for our members. If you would like to attend, please email advocate@cfrw.org for more information.
Let’s Try This Again…
After all the hullabaloo last week regarding the Assembly’s Lieutenant Governor nomination vote, the Governor decided to re-submit his nomination of Senator Able Maldonado for Lt. Governor. The Legislature has another 90 days to act on the nomination. If no action is taken, the Governor’s nomination will take office. We will be keeping track of this issue, but hopefully our lawmakers can put aside petty politics and remain focused on bigger problems facing our state.
Tracking Legislation
Although we are unable to give our members access to our web-based bill tracking service, there is a way you can find and monitor California legislation. You can access that information on the internet by going to the Legislature Home Page and completing the information on the right side by either indicating the bill number, the author, or key words. You can then subscribe to an email update and you will be notified when there is action on legislation of interest to you
Disclaimer: The Capitol Update is an activity of the CFRW Advocate's Office. The update is for information only. CFRW official positions on legislation are stated immediately preceding the stated legislation or immediately following the stated legislation in this report.
California Federation of Republican Women
Mariann Hedstrom, President
Palm Desert, Indian Wells,
Bermuda Dunes, Thousand Palms,
La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, Indio and Coachella.