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Proposition 53: Ballot Box Budgeting?

Most voters know about the recall and replacement elections, and more and more are becoming familiar with Proposition 54, which would prohibit the state from collecting data on race. Yet there's a second, lower-profile proposition on the October 7 ballot. Thirty years ago, California spent 15 to 20 percent of its revenue every year on long-term investments such as hospitals, roads, bridges, water projects and other infrastructure. Now it spends only one or two percent. Proposition 53 would increase spending to 3 percent without raising taxes to achieve it purpose. While some anti-tax groups support it, others call it a -blank check- that will make the state-s budget problems worse than ever. We hear from Republican Assemblyman Keith Richman, who authored the ballot measure, and from Lenny Goldberg, campaign manager for the No on Prop 53 campaign. Making News: Post-Debate Analysis; Bills signed by Davis While five candidates who want to replace him were preparing for last night-s debate, Governor Gray Davis was making a point of conducting business as usual-almost as usual. At the end of most legislative sessions, he has a lot of bills to sign, but this year he-s trying to make points against the recall. Lynda Gledhill reports from Sacramento for the San Francisco Chronicle. Reporter's Notebook: California Voters Split on Race, Recall and Prop 54 When it comes to next month-s recall election, Californians are sharply split along racial and ethnic lines. That-s according to a new survey, sponsored by USC-s Institute for Journalism and Justice, the Pew Hispanic Center, the Tom-s Rivera Policy Institute and New California Media. Roberto Suro of the Pew Hispanic Center has the breakdown in the survey of Latinos, African-Americans, Asian-Americans and Whites.