Prop 20 con

By Frank Ladra
The Guardsman

Proposition 20, for all of its fancy wording, is nothing more than a big contest to determine who gets authority in choosing which citizens will be in specific congressional districts throughout the state of California.

Up to this point, redistricting in California, which takes place every 10 years, has been the responsibility of state legislative leaders who can be held accountable for their actions by voters.

However, approval of Proposition 20 will mean that redistricting will be executed by a non-accountable, 14-person bureaucracy, known as the Citizens Redistricting Commission. Despite being made up of five Republicans, five Democrats, and four non-party affiliates, the CRC guarantees no level of fairness in regards to race, class, lifestyle or wealth.

Turning back time on the legislative clock, Proposition 20 intends to segregate the people of California into categories of “similar living standards” and “similar work opportunities.” This country-club mentality will only create greater complications in a state with such widespread diversity.

Then there is the ever-present issue of money. Proposition 20 is currently being funded almost entirely with $3.3 million from multimillionaire Charles Munger Jr.

But what happens if Proposition 20 passes?

While proponents of Proposition 20 assure “no significant change in redistricting costs,” any added spending necessity would become the financial responsibility of the taxpayers. In fact, Governor Schwarzenegger is suggesting doubling the redistricting budget, while California is already in a multi-million dollar deficit.

Non-partisan reports from the state Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance have found that Proposition 27, a rival of Proposition 20, will actually save taxpayer money.

It should be noted that Proposition 27 is basically the opposite of Proposition 20, and if both are approved by voters, the proposition receiving the greater number of “yes” votes will be instituted.