California Legislative Budget Gridlock and Ballot Box Budgeting

Over the last forty years the California legislature has had partisan budget battles resulting in failing to adopt a budget on time. Revenue sources are structurally insufficient to create a balanced budget. This paper examines legislative paralysis and explores conceptual reasons for legislative gridlock and policy options to correct the problem. The research design explores answers to the following questions: Why have legislators been unwilling to make compromises to adopt the budget when Constitutionally required? What has been the impact on local governments? Have ballot measures and recent elections provided interest groups an alternative to the legislature to buy direct access to the public and drive public policy?