Calif. Voters Torpedo Budget Crisis Measures

Californian voters soundly rejected five ballot measures that would keep the hard-hit state economically solvent until the end of the year, on a turnout of little more than 10%. The vote against extended tax increases and capped spending is a sharp rebuke to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and state legislators who put together the last-minute budget deal, reports the San Francisco Chronicle.

The vote leaves California facing a $21.3 billion budget deficit, which will force the government to make substantial cuts in education, public safety, and health services. All of the revenue-raising measures were defeated by about 60% of voters. The only proposition to pass was a measure to limit state officials' salaries—a sign of the exasperation of Californians with their elected officials.
(More Arnold Schwarzenegger stories.)