Proposition 1A would severely limit the state's ability to conduct what's become an annual raid on city and county coffers; approval of the proposition also would ensure that local programs mandated by the state would be suspended if state funding is not provided. In situations where the state takes money by declaring an emergency—and gets a vote of two-thirds of the Legislature—the money would have to be returned within three years.

Proposition 59 amends the state constitution to provide the right of public access to government information and meetings. We recommend a Yes vote on both propositions.

Proposition 1A

We have watched for years as the state has covered its budgetary shortfalls on the backs of cities and counties. We've seen how unfunded state mandates reduce local budgets with promises of paybacks that never materialize.

We've seen Los Gatos try to do long-range planning without knowing when the state might swoop down and divert or take away local tax dollars.

Statewide since 1992, the state has helped itself to some $40 billion that belonged to local governments, $11.2 millon of which belonged to Los Gatos. It's well past time for these raids to end.

This being California, voting to keep the state from raiding local governments is more complicated than it ought to be. Before there was Proposition 1A, there was Proposition 65, and it's still on the ballot. Prop. 65 was placed on the ballot by a coalition of local governments deciding enough was enough after the governor proposed in January of this year to take $1.3 billion to help the state make up a budget shortfall.

Prop. 65 would have prevented that transfer as well as future ones without voter approval. It got the governor's attention.

Proposition 1A is a compromise hammered out by the governor and local governments that lets the state have the $1.3 billion and the same amount again next year. Proposition 1A will become effective in 2006. Supporters are urging a yes vote on 1A and no on 65. If both win, but 1A has more votes, it will become law.

Proposition 59

While citizens of California currently have the right to inspect and obtain copies of government documents and to attend public meetings, these rights currently exist as legislative law. Over the years, these rules have eroded, with interpretations more narrow than the laws originally intended.

This proposition would amend the state

constitution to make public access to government documents a constitutional right.

Proponents believe that giving citizens a constitutional right to know what government is doing will ensure that courts and public agencies broadly apply laws that promote public knowledge.

Newspapers, of course, strongly support the so-called "sunshine" laws that demand that government do its business in the light of day. But it's becoming more and more common to see newspapers have to file lawsuits to get access to public records. Neither newspapers nor citizens should have to sue for the right to look at what elected and appointed officials are doing with taxpayer money.

We urge a yes vote on Proposition 59.