Department of Finance Archives

California’s Ballot Initiative Transparency Act

November 7, 2020 7:10 amNovember 9, 2020 11:22 am

In 2014, then Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg authored SB 1253, which was enacted in late September as Chapter 697. Section 1 of the bill established the act as the “Ballot Initiative Transparency Act.” Section 2 of the bill...

California’s State Budget Reserves Not Enough to Fill Budget Gaps Even in Moderate Downturns

April 20, 2020 11:15 amApril 20, 2020 11:15 am

With California in lockdown since mid-March, most businesses have ground to a halt, which also ground sales tax revenue to a halt. The Public Policy Institute of California just published an article showing that California’s budget reserves aren’t adequate for...

Direct Democracy in California: The Recall

January 24, 2020 8:52 amJanuary 24, 2020 8:53 am

Part lll Direct Democracy in California. Part l is here. Part ll is here. One of the three forms of direct democracy in the State of California is the recall. It is available at the state or local levels. In...

Direct Democracy in California: The Initiative – Part II

January 22, 2020 6:21 amJanuary 22, 2020 1:53 pm

Part ll Direct Democracy in California. Part l is here. In addition, within eight days after the filing of the petition, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, the elections official must determine the total number of signatures affixed to the petition...

Direct Democracy in California: The Initiative – Part 1

January 20, 2020 6:02 amJanuary 19, 2020 8:54 pm

One of the three forms of direct democracy in the State of California is the initiative. It is found in California’s Constitution, Article 2, Section 8. It is defined in Section 8(a) as “the power of the electors to propose...

Overview of California’s Budget Process

January 12, 2020 7:44 amJanuary 12, 2020 10:46 am

The state budget process on paper is similar to the legislative process; however, it can be different in practical terms. The full budget committees of the Senate and Assembly act mostly as the final arbiter of their respective houses when...

Roles of the Attorney General and the Legislative Analyst in the Initiative Process

November 29, 2019 2:04 amNovember 28, 2019 10:15 pm

In California’s initiative process, both the Attorney General and the Legislative Analyst play important roles. Those roles are established by the state Constitution, as well as the California Elections Code. This article provides an overview of the relevant laws specifying...