USC California Policy Institute Releases Initiative Briefings for Nov. 8 Election

October 24, 2005

The University of Southern California's Sacramento-based California Policy Institute has released policy briefs about four core initiatives on November's special election ballot. "As a group, these propositions address critical issues of both governmental policy and process in California," said Walter Zelman, director of the USC California Policy Institute. "Moreover, as is often the case with California propositions, whether each of these propositions is approved or rejected could have significant national as well as statewide implications."

A synopsis of the findings on parental notification (Prop. 73), teacher tenure (Prop. 74), budget caps (Prop. 76) and redistricting (Prop. 77) follows. Summary points and the full analyses in English and Spanish can be downloaded at www.usc-cpi.org.

Prop. 73: Parental Notification Before Abortion

"The research on parental involvement laws suggests that Proposition 73 could reduce the number of abortions performed in California on minors, but that minors will be much more likely to seek and receive abortions outside of California," said Peter T. Harbage, CPI health policy program director.

The research on parental involvement laws suggests that requirements like Proposition 73 increase the number of minors who delay medical treatment and will seek abortions in the second trimester, Harbage said.

"The research suggests that the majority of minor daughters talk with their parents about pregnancy decisions, even without parental involvement laws. Those minors who choose not to do so typically express concern about a parent's reaction," he said.

Prop. 74: Teacher Tenure

"We know from research that teacher quality matters in determining student achievement," said Richard C. Seder, CPI education program director. "What we don't know is the quality of California teachers or the evaluation systems that help to determine that quality.

"Proposition 74 raises serious policy questions surrounding teacher tenure, teacher dismissal, teacher quality and teacher evaluation systems," Seder said. "But there is no research available that might help voters understand the severity of the problems in these areas or the potential impacts of the initiative."

Prop. 76: Budget Caps

"Proposition 76 gives the voters a way to prevent another fiscal crisis like the one we've had the last few years," said John Matsusaka, USC professor of business and law and president of the Initiative and Referendum Institute at USC. "But as part of the deal, voters have to give the governor and legislature more flexibility to cut cherished programs, especially education, in an emergency."

Prop. 77: Redistricting

CPI research shows that Proposition 77 is different from past redistricting proposals and redistricting processes in other states, where independent redistricting commissions have created plans that yielded fewer competitive seats.

"No other state uses a panel of randomly selected retired judges or requires voter approval of redistricting plans," said Yvonne Choong, CPI governance program director.

"Research can provide some information about possible outcomes, but no one can predict the actual policy impact in California."

Moving redistricting authority from the Legislature to an independent commission or panel is not a new concept, Choong said. "Three other redistricting ballot measures have been rejected by the voters over the last 25 years."