Nation Digest: California Election May Not Cut Deficit Much

CALIFORNIA

Election May Not Make Dent in Deficit

Californians will get the chance to decide what happens to their tax dollars in a special election this week, but regardless of whether the electorate registers approval -- or even shows up to vote -- it will not reduce the state's budget deficit very much.

Lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) arranged Tuesday's special election on six ballot measures in February, when they agreed to a budget intended to close a $42 billion deficit through the middle of next year. But even after $15 billion in spending cuts, $12.8 billion in tax increases and more than $11 billion being borrowed, the budget deficit has reappeared amid the recession.

Analysts say the ballot measures are a recipe for electoral disaster because of their complexity and the lack of support from a unified state legislature.

Some have questioned whether it is smart for lawmakers to place so much of the state's annual budgeting process in the hands of the electorate. "It's not particularly wise to put to voters these decisions," said Jessica Levinson, director of political reform for the Center for Governmental Studies in Los Angeles. "It not only causes the expense of having elections, it causes voter fatigue, it causes voter disgust with the system."

Some propositions on the ballot directly affect next year's budget, and others deal with the state's fiscal future. One would create a state spending cap, but it doesn't say anything about what else it would do: extend unpopular increases in sales, personal income and vehicle taxes through 2013.

-- Associated Press

Abducted Boy May Have Been Found in Mexico: Officials in Mexico have found a child they believe is a 3-year-old boy abducted from his California home, but that country's identification process is slowing the family's ability to confirm his identity, authorities said. Detectives in San Bernardino County and FBI agents received a call from Mexican officials in the border town of Mexicali on Friday, saying they had found a boy who could be Briant Rodriguez.

Police Make Arrests at Notre Dame: Graduation festivities have gotten underway at the University of Notre Dame, and there was another day of arrests. Protesters are angry about the school's decision to give President Obama, who supports abortion rights and embryonic stem cell research, an honorary degree and have him speak at Sunday's commencement. Sgt. Bill Redman said 19 protesters were arrested on trespassing charges and four also faced a charge of resisting law enforcement.

Banana Used in Holdup, Then Eaten: Officials in Winston-Salem, N.C., said a store owner and a patron thwarted a teenager accused of trying to carry out a robbery by concealing a banana beneath his shirt to resemble a gun. The owner, Bobby Ray Mabe, said that while waiting for the police to arrive, the teenager ate the banana.

-- From News Services