We are a coalition of grassroots organizations, advocacy groups, web-based collectives, union members, Democratic clubs, religious groups and concerned Californians working to change the vote requirement to a majority for passing revenue and budget.
The majority of voters choose the majority of legislators. That’s simple democracy. And it is simple democracy that the majority of legislators provide for the needs of the people they represent. Without such democracy, there is gridlock, economic chaos and suffering.
We, the majority of voters, can restore democracy to California, and with it, responsible economic management.
“All legislative actions on revenue and budget must be determined by majority vote.”
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:
George Lakoff,
Campaign Chair
Susie Shannon,
Campaign Director and PAC Vice Chair
Chandra Friese,
Northern California Campaign Manager
Eric Bauman,
Senior Advisor
COORDINATING TEAM:
Deana Igelsrud,
Political Director and PAC Vice Chair
Ellis Goldberg,
Northern California Field Director
Tom Camarella,
Southern California Field Director and PAC Chair
Susan Blanchard,
PAC Controller
Cara Robin,
PAC Secretary
Judy Pope,
Speakers Bureau Director
Chris Ah San,
State Student Coordinator
Robbie Bruens,
Northern California Student Coordinator
LAKOFF'S INITIATIVE: DON'T T-YOU, DON'T T-ME, T-THE MAN BEHIND THE TREE
CA Progress Report | April 5, 2010 | By Peter Schrag | LINK TO ARTICLE
The chances that Berkeley linguistics expert George Lakoff will get his California Democracy Act initiative on the November ballot range between slim and slimmer. But in contending that Attorney General Jerry Brown’s title and ballot summary would destroy any chance of its passing even if it qualified, Lakoff starts an argument that goes well beyond semantics. It tells a lot about why California is stuck in the mess that it’s in.
In requiring two-thirds majorities to approve both the annual budget – and all other spending measures – and to raise taxes, California is the only state in the union that gives legislative minorities -- usually meaning Republicans – a veto on both budgeting and taxes. Lakoff, who’s been a guru on language to a lot of politicians, wants to end what is in effect minority rule.
As it came from the author, his measure is summarized by one simple sentence: “All legislative actions on revenue and budget must be determined by a majority vote.” Wherever California’s constitution provides for two thirds majorities in the Assembly and Senate on appropriations and tax increases, it changes the “two-thirds” to a majority...