Political haze
Once again, California voters are getting more spin than clarity from a ballot summary of gas tax repeal that’s at the signature gathering stage. The hazy wording from Attorney General Xavier Becerra’s office is rightly infuriating the conservative architect of the measure. The dispute underscores the politically flavored process that’s dominated by the state’s top legal official. Attorneys general can use their own words in summarizing a ballot issue in a way that can doom or enhance its appeal. Make no mistake, repealing the gas tax passed by Democrats in the state Legislature is a bad idea, given the crumbling condition of California’s roads. But the Becerra summary of the issue shades the argument unfairly. It shortchanges criticism that the money may be sent elsewhere and states that an oversight agency will be eliminated — though it doesn’t exist now.
It’s just plain wrong for a Democratic attorney general to offer a skewed legal summary of a Republicanbacked initiative. Chief sponsor of the repeal, Assemblyman Travis Allen who is also a candidate for governor next year, is promising to sue over the language.
Becerra is not the first attorney general to employ loaded language for or against an initiative. It’s a bit of a California tradition played by attorneys general of both parties. It’s time to move for reform that would put the title and summary of ballot measures in the hands of a more independent and nonpartisan arbiter.