There are times in California where it is easy to ask yourself why you even bother voting for state elected officials. After all, over 40 percent of the state's discretionary funding is already allocated due to ballot measures and if you don't like something the electeds do, well, you can start an initiative to change it.
In fact, over the last decade, California voters allowed over 100 propositions (initiatives) on the ballot to do just that. These propositions, or props as they are commonly known, cover such important topics as creating a "none of the above" option on ballots (failed) to ensuring the fair treatment of farm animals (passed). Some have relatively no bearing on the state budget, such as certain insurance reforms or school voucher proposals, while others are remarkable for their blatant attempt to hamstring the budget.
In 1978, Proposition 13 was enacted, triggering an explosion in the number of ballot initiatives in California. Prop 13 imposed strict limits on local property taxes - much to the detriment of local government budgets and school districts. It also requires a two-thirds