Proposition 30 has passed. This outcome flies in the face of history, as Californians had always rejected increases in income and sales taxes at the ballot box over the last 30 years. A strong late push from Governor Brown combined with a big campaign from the teachers unions helped change the equation. It is a huge win for them. At the same time, voters rejected the rival measure, Prop. 38. Finally, it appears that "paycheck protection" (Proposition 32), strongly opposed by public sector unions, has been rejected by voters for the third time.
All told, public sector unions won yesterday on the ballot measures most important to them. These results comport with a recent study I conducted, which found that when California's unions go "all in" on a ballot measure, they almost always win. Yesterday's results maintain the political and policy status quo in the Golden State--at least until the money runs out.
All told, public sector unions won yesterday on the ballot measures most important to them. These results comport with a recent study I conducted, which found that when California's unions go "all in" on a ballot measure, they almost always win. Yesterday's results maintain the political and policy status quo in the Golden State--at least until the money runs out.
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