The Shadow's Message to the Governor of California

As many of you are aware, The Shadow is a resident of San Francisco, California. As such, The Shadow had the opportunity yesterday to vote in the special election that was called by the governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

On the state ballot (The Shadow will not get into the measures in San Francisco just yet), were eight ballot initiatives -- some of which were proposed amendments to the California Constitution. The initiatives were:

• Proposition 73 - This initiative would have required a physician to notify the parents of a female 17 or under of her decision to have an abortion 48 hours before the procedure. There was language written in the law which would have allowed for a judicial waiver of this requirement.
• Proposition 74 - This initiative would have extended the probationary time for teachers to obtain tenure from 2 years to 5 years.
• Proposition 75 - This initiative would have prevented unions from using union dues for political purposes without the written consent of each member of the union.
• Proposition 76 - This initiative would have changed the spending formula in California and would have given the governor additional powers to cut spending mid-budget.
• Proposition 77 - This initiative would have changed the way electorial districts are drawn in California. Under this plan, a panel of 3 retired judges would draw the districts, the plan being subject to final approval by the voters in a special election.
• Propositions 78 & 79 - These were identical initiatives that would have brought down the cost of prescription drugs in California, but using different formulas. Proposition 78 was supported by the drug companies; Proposition 79 was supported by consumer groups.
• Proposition 80 - This initiative would have, among other things, made it harder for consumers to change energy companies from a public to private provider.

The Shadow is pleased to announce that all 8 initiatives went down to defeat.

This special election cost the people of California $50 million dollars. Money that surely could have been used elsewhere. It was crazy to subject the people of California to this election when we elect people to represent us in Sacramento to do this for us.

The Shadow now urges the governor and the California General Assembly to come together and work together for the good of all California residents. Do not bring another elections to us like this again!!