Start thinking about next set of initiatives

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The state legislators didn't resolve all the budget decisions last month. They referred several to us, the voters. Here's a brief recap of what we'll see on the ballot May 19, as summarized by Capitol Alert:

Proposition 1A: Implements a spending cap based on the rate of growth from the last 10 years. If approved, it would extend the length of the taxes approved by the Legislature.

Proposition 1B: Changes the state's education funding law -- Proposition 98 -- for supplemental education payments to local districts due to recent budget cuts.

Proposition 1C: Borrows from future lottery earnings.

Proposition 1D: Takes money from the First 5 Commissions -- aka Proposition 10 funds -- to help balance the budget.

Proposition 1E: Takes money from the Mental Health Services Act -- aka Proposition 63 funds -- to help balance the budget.

Proposition 1F: Prevents state-level elected officials from receiving pay raises in years when the state is running a deficit.

The power couple of Stanislaus County? Politically speaking in 2009, it would be Anne and Jim DeMartini, by luck of the rotating chairmanships. This year happens to be Jim's turn to serve as chairman of the Board of Supervisors. And Anne is doing the rotation as chairwoman of the Yosemite Community College District Board of Trustees. There are five supervisors and seven trustees, so this coincidence won't occur again for some time. Mathematicians can let me know when.

Fifty-some people attended Thursday night's free workshop for prospective candidates, a promising sign of community interest in this form of public service. School board and special district seats will be on the November ballot, along with council seats in Modesto and Ceres.

For those closely following Turlock politics, a footnote: Never in Stanislaus County has a recommendation from a civil grand jury directly resulted in criminal charges being filed. The civil grand jury simply issues findings and recommendations, not indictments and verdicts.

Contact Sly at jsly@modbee.com or 578-2317.