Thank Prop. 2 for spike in egg prices

A nyone who shops and likes eggs has noticed a huge jump in the price of the breakfast staple recently. There are a few contributing factors to that price hike, but none as significant as Prop. 2 passed by California voters in 2008.

Prop. 2 requires that all eggs sold in California must come from farms that allow chickens to move around freely. The measure requires each egg-laying hen must have 116 square inches of space, about 50 inches more than what was the standard before the proposition.

Not only did that bill require egg producers to spend millions of dollars in reconfiguring their pens, but it reduced the number of hens laying eggs. Both are the main reasons the prices of a carton of eggs has gone way up — double in most markets.

We will admit there are some factors, such as the avian flu outbreak that reduced the chicken population in the Midwest, that played a role, but none to the extent of Prop. 2.

This should remind people that passing a feel-good measure does have consequences. You cannot regulate an industry without some impact and in most instanc- es, that impact is it costs consumers more. Sure, we all would like to see people earn more, but raising the minimum wage will be passed on to consumers and in many instances, mean a reduction in jobs. Can you stomach paying $8 for a Big Mac or $3 for a small soda? Prop. 2 was written by animal rights folks who did not consider its long-term consequences and voters were fooled into believing they would be helping poor chickens with no consequences for themselves. That is never the case and voters should learn that.

Another example of a measure being considered which will cost everyone is the debate going on in Sacramento to reduce gasoline use by 50 percent in the next five years. Sounds good, but some are saying that will mean a huge jump in the price of gasoline and maybe even gas rationing. Proponents of the measure say they don’t know what the consequences will be. Can you afford that, especially if your job depends on fuel. And, who can afford to just go out and buy an electric-powered vehicle?

Be sure to read the fine print on propositions. It may save you some money.