The ballot pamphlet legislation is part of Gatto’s six-bill package to reform the state’s unwieldy initiative process. Most of Gatto’s reforms, such as increasing the number of signatures needed to qualify an initiative and giving the Legislature a say in whether the measures reach the ballot, are constitutional amendments that require a signature from the governor and approval by the voters.
Gatto said the amendments will be heard later in the session.
Gov. Jerry Brown’s efforts to close the budget gap will take center stage again after the traditional “May revise” of the state budget, which is due May 14, Gatto said. State officials estimate tax revenues are running about $2 billion ahead of projections, which might ease the budget strain.
Gatto said residents are letting him know that they care about the budget, with 200 letters or emails a week submitted from constituents on the subject. But he said it is hard to predict whether the governor and Republicans can reach a compromise, or if the state will break from recent history and pass a budget by the June 30 deadline.
