Proposition 25, if passed, will change California’s legislative process regarding the state budget and potentially give Fresno State more time to balance their budget.
Proposition 25 is aimed at requiring only a simple majority vote to pass the state’s annual budget, instead of a two-thirds vote.
Bernard Vinovrski, Fresno State’s associate vice president, said that if Prop 25 passes, Fresno State would benefit. Since the state budget will only require a simple majority could make for earlier budget agreements, the university will know the exact amount of money they will have available for the year.
Vinovrski said that when Fresno State plans ahead they know how many students will be accepted every semester. When the budget is late, it becomes very hard for the university to accept new students, since it is unknown if the university will have adequate funds.
When the budget is passed on time the university can plan ahead, said Vinovrski.
“[An on-time budget] is good news for students.”
According to the Official Voter Information Guide, Prop 25 would “lower legislative vote requirements for the budget bill and related legislation.” It will not only require a majority vote instead of a two-thirds vote, but it will also withhold and sometimes not pay “some legislative pay.”
Forty-seven states have the majority vote legislation in place, according to the voter guide.
It would also free up members of the legislature within the political majority to approve a budget bill without minority support.
Last year, when the budget was late, it cost taxpayers more than $8 million in interest payments, the voter guide said.
Those who oppose the proposition claim that if it becomes law, it would become easier for politicians to increase taxes. The proposition states, however, that bills that initiate taxes would keep the two-thirds vote requirement.
Those that oppose the proposition also claim that it will “eliminate voter’s constitutional rights to use the referendum process to reject hidden taxes or other bad laws at the ballot.”
Dr. Rodney Anderson, a political science professor at Fresno State, said that Prop 25 will make politicians more accountable to the public. With a majority vote the party in power will be held accountable for decisions made during that time.
“[The passing of] Prop 25 will be one positive step to changing things in Sacramento,” said Sarait Martinez, a graduate student at Fresno State.