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California is one of three states requiring a two-thirds vote to pass the state budget – a requirement that has led to deadlock, partisan brinkmanship and the bullying of legislators. Proposition 56 would lower the voting threshold to 55 percent and would also impose ethical regulations on the legislature, ensuring the timely and fair passage of a budget.

Under the existing system, a small minority of legislators can hold the rest of the legislature hostage, refusing to vote for a budget until their concessions are met. In 2002, the budget was 67 days late – a historic delay resulting from the Republican minority’s refusal to raise taxes to fill a $23.6 billion deficit. During the intervening days, the state was forced to halt payments for programs such as welfare and foster care for children.

In several instances, Republican legislators who appear near to caving in and voting for tax increases have been bullied by their colleagues.

Proposition 56 is designed to fix these problems. Legislators would lose their personal pay for every day the budget remained unpassed. An ethical panel would investigate and censor legislators who bully their colleagues. The final threshold would be lowered to 55 percent.

And contrary to the opinion of some, taxes would not be raised uncontrollably – the governor still has a veto, 47 states actually require either 55 percent vote or less, and Proposition 13 would remain unaffected.