Prop. 109: Governor Needs It

Proposition 109 is designed to give California governors more time to decide whether proposed new laws are good for the state or not. We recommend a Yes vote because it is irresponsible to argue for speed when bad law may result.

Last year, for example, Gov. George Deukmejian had to decide whether to sign or veto 1,700 bills, all but 300 of which were introduced in the final months of the session.

Because it was an odd-numbered year, he had just 12 days after each bill arrived to decide whether he should sign it or whether some technical or policy flaw called for a veto. After l2 days, the calendar snatches the matter away from him. Under the state Constitution, a bill becomes law whether the governor likes it or not.

In even-numbered years, the governor gets 30 days to decide. The assumption is that bills that are carried over from odd to even years tend to be more controversial than bills that sail through. That being the case, it is presumed that the governor is entitled to more time to look them over.

Proposition 109, supported by Deukmejian, would extend the review period to 30 days for all sessions. The only formal opposition argues that the extension of time for analysis would give lobbyists and others more time to twist the governor’s arm and make back-room deals, which says, in effect, that there should be time for back-room deals only every other year. The governor is entitled to all the time he can get. He is entitled to a Yes on Proposition 109.