California Proposition 56 (2004)

Proposition 56 was a California ballot proposition on the March 2, 2004 ballot. It failed to pass with 2,185,868 (34.3%) votes in favor and 4,183,188 (65.7%) against. It was intended to penalize the state's elected officials for every day that the state budget is overdue. The proposition would also have lowered the threshold required pass a budget and enact new budget-related taxes to 55% from the two-thirds supermajority vote currently required. (The two-thirds requirement was implemented with the passage of California Proposition 13 in 1978). Prop 56 was officially known as the Budget Accountability Act.

Official summary

• Permits Legislature to enact budget and budget-related tax and appropriation bills with 55% vote rather than 2/3 vote currently required.
• Requires that Legislature, Governor permanently lose salary, expenses for each day budget is late.
• Requires that Legislature stay in session until budget is passed.
• Requires budget summary in state ballot pamphlet and link to Internet website with legislators' voting records on budget and related taxes.
• Requires 25% of certain state revenue increases be deposited in reserve fund, which cannot be used to increase spending.

Summary of Legislative Analyst's Estimate of Net State and Local Government Fiscal Impact:

• This measure would have varying state fiscal impacts from lowering the legislative vote requirement for budget-related spending and tax increases - including changes in spending and potentially significant increases in state tax revenues in some years. Fiscal impacts would depend primarily on the composition and actions of future Legislatures.

External links

• Voter Information Guide with text of Proposition 56