March 11
This proposition amends the State Constitution to allow the state and local governments to contract with qualified private entities for architectural and engineering services for all phases of a public works project.
March 10
The vehicle license fee (VLF) is an annual fee on the ownership of a registered vehicle in California, levied in place of taxing vehicles as personal property. The fee rate is 2 percent of a vehicle's current estimated value—calculated from the current owner's depreciated purchase price. The revenues are primarily distributed to cities and counties. The 1998 tax relief package passed by the Legislature included a permanent reduction in the VLF of 25 percent, with the potential of greater reductions beginning in 2000-01 if General Fund revenues grow faster than currently projected. As part of this tax reduction agreement, cities and counties will continue to receive the same amount of revenues as under prior law, with the reduced revenues replaced by General Fund spending. This constitutional measure would further reduce the VLF over a two year period and eliminate it in the third year.
December 30
This measure, self-titled the "Student Charter Act," adds provisions to the Education Code to establish (1) a new system of testing K-12 school pupils and (2) a system of cash grants for parents of private school children who pass the tests.
December 4
This initiative would establish the California State Office of Ombudsman General which would be responsible for ensuring that no state laws are in conflict with the United States Constitution or the California Constitution.
June 30
This measure provides that, if a balanced state budget is not enacted by June 15th each year, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Members of the Legislature (1) must forfeit one year's salary and (2) may not run for reelection or for another public office for four years after their terms end.
May 7
The measure would amend the California Constitution to (1) modify the provisions related to the establishment of salaries for state elected officials and (2) limit travel and living expenses by Members of the Legislature.
April 20
This measure allows specified business establishments to remain open and sell alcoholic beverages for an additional two hours on specified days, and establishes a per-drink surcharge on all beverages sold during those two hours.
March 17
This measure increases the state's sales and use taxes by 0.5 percent beginning January 1, 1999, and requires revenues from the increase to be deposited into the Bear and Wilderness Protection Trust Fund created by this measure.
March 13
This measure would establish a new state tax credit for the cost of purchasing health care coverage, create a new State Health Insurance Fund, and provide for regulation of health insurance payments to health care providers.