A Hold On The Ballot’s Top Spot

Sacramento, CA – The Associated Press reports a Sacramento County judge has blocked the state from assigning the order of ballot measures for the November election until the court decides if a new law gives Governor Jerry Brown an unfair advantage. Brown signed bill, SB1039, this week moving bond measures and constitutional amendments to the top of the ballot.

A rival tax campaign accused state lawmakers of abusing their power. That suit was filed this week in Sacramento County Superior Court by Los Angeles civil rights attorney Molly Munger and her campaign.

The Senate Democrats introduced SB1039 as part of budget implementing language. The bill would require bond measures and constitutional amendments to appear on the ballot ahead of other initiatives and referendums. That would place Brown’s tax hike on state sales and upper-income earners ahead of a competing tax hike proposal by Munger which would raise income taxes on nearly all Californians qualified for the November ballot.

It would also help the governor’s initiative stand out in a crowded ballot. So far 11 measures have qualified.