On May 19 voters will be asked how best to solve the budget crisis in California.

Dubbed by some as the "budget fix election," the electorate will need to vote on five interlocking measures that seek to balance the budget passed in February.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has called the six initiatives "crucial components" of the recently passed budget package. The five measures propose raising taxes and borrowing and reallocating funds.

A sixth proposition on the ballot looks to freeze politicians' salaries in years that the state is running a deficit.

Proposition 1A calls for two more years of tax increases—$16billion worth—to be tacked onto the two years' worth of tax increases legislators passed in February to balance the state budget.

But it also ensures spending restrictions will be placed on politicians to help build up the state's rainy day fund, which should increase from 5 to 12.5 percent.

State Sen. Tony Strickland (RThousand Oaks) said he's strongly opposed to Prop. 1A. He represents the 19th District, which includes Camarillo, Moorpark, Oak Park, Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks.

"The Legislature just put on the largest tax increase in California history at a time when we have the highest unemployment rate since the Depression," Strickland said. "These tax increases continue the spiral of problems, and jobs are fleeing the state. We need fundamental change in Sacramento. If we truly want to fix the problems in the state, the No. 1 goal for everybody here needs to be to create jobs."

Proposition 1B would earmark money for the state's suffering education system. If 1B passes, the state will be required to repay K through 14 education $9.3 billion it was previously promised from the reserves built up from Prop. 1A. Therefore, 1B will take effect only if 1A passes.

Conejo Valley Unified School District Superintendent Mario Contini said he still wasn't sure which way to vote.

"To be honest, I'm very torn over all of the propositions because they are put forth under desperate conditions," Contini said. "Good thinking doesn't always occur under desperate conditions."

Contini isn't the only one torn.

Education organizations and teachers unions have split over which way to vote. State Superintendent of Education, Jack O'Connell, favors it. The California Faculty Association and the California Federation of Teachers oppose 1A, while the California Teachers Association is for it.

Proposition 1C asks voters to authorize $5 billion in new state borrowing, which would be secured by increased lottery revenues.

The Lottery Modernization Act means better marketing and bigger payouts in an effort to further boost the lottery's popularity. Tax opponent Peter Foy said 1C isn't the solution to the state's issue of overspending.

"They already told us in 2003 that it was the last time they'd borrow against the lottery," the Ventura County supervisor said. "They're going back on that promise. It just doesn't solve the basic problem when we're continuing to spend more money than we have."

Proposition 1D affects Proposition 10 revenue. In 1998, voters passed Prop. 10, which earmarked tobacco tax money for school readiness programs and healthcare for lowincome newborns to 5yearolds. If 1D passes, $1.4 billion of those monies would go to other state operations and debt service during the next four years.

Although some in the education field are in favor of Propositions 1A and 1B because of the funds that could potentially be diverted to education, many have opposed Prop. 1D because of the cuts to the First 5 program.

"It is clear that we need budget stabilization and restoration of lost funds to public education," Contini said. "The statewide focus on 'preschools for all' was based on solid research of the long-term benefits, benefits which First 5 delivers every day. Loss of First 5 dollars may be penny wise and pound foolish over the long haul."

Proposition 1E also asks voters to take money from a previously passed proposition. Prop. 63, passed in 2004, collected an income tax surcharge and used the funds for special mental health programs.

If 1E passes, about $450 million of that money will be redirected to fill other holes in the budget.

"They want to 'temporarily redirect' that money, which is language for 'take,'" said Herb Gooch, a professor at California Lutheran University. "It won't kill all the programs, but it will kill some. It will starve others."

Proposition 1F asks voters whether elected officials should get pay raises in years when the state has a deficit. If 1F passes, members of the Legislature, as well as statewide constitutional officers, including the governor, wouldn't get salary increases if the state budget is in the red.

"I would think that our legislators should voluntarily take a pay cut if they're not doing their jobs, and I don't think they're doing them at all well," said Peggy Buckles, legislation chair for the 12th district PTA, which covers councils throughout Ventura County, as well as Oak Park and Calabasas. Buckles is also a CVUSD school board member.

Gooch, who is director of the masters in public policy program at CLU, recently held a series of forums to help educate the public on the propositions. At a recent event at Moorpark College, Gooch called the California budget "a mess."

"Even if it passes, it's still going to be a mess, just not as big of one," Gooch said. "If they all fail, there will almost undoubtedly be additional cuts."

Supervisor Foy represents Simi Valley, Moorpark and some surrounding areas.

He is also state chairman of Americans for Prosperity and a co-chair of two anti-Prop. 1A movements, one with the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and one with www.Defeat1A.com.

"It's the wrong thing for California," Foy said. "We're going forward with continued tax increases when we're already the highest-taxed state. We can't keep continuing down this path. It doesn't do anything for Californians, especially when so many people are looking for ways to save money. It's killing them."

Locals gathered April 15 in Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley to protest higher taxes and reckless government spending. The "TEA (Taxed Enough Already) Party on Tax Day" rallies took place all over the country.

"They are spending more money than we have and then expecting us to clean it up," said Newbury Park resident Marla Antinoro of state and federal politicians. "They need to be wise stewards."

Many in favor of the propositions still have reservations.

"I don't think these propositions are anywhere near perfect but this seems to be the best we can get from our legislators at this point," Buckles said. "I truly feel that our elected officials need to come up with a real solution and govern.

"When I was in Sacramento in February, I asked every assembly member and state senator I met with if they had an alternate plan if the propositions failed—not one of them from either party did."

Some still maintain, however, that better cost management and spending caps are the answer.

"The state needs to work diligently to control costs, just like every business is doing and every city and at the county," Foy said.

"That's what has to happen. The state has to have some sense of responsibility. We have to live within our means. . . . It's time to say enough is enough."

Breaking down the May 19 ballot propositions

•Proposition 1A means $16 billion in tax increases collected over two years. If Prop 1A passes, spending restrictions will be placed on politicians to help build up the state's rainy day fund. •Proposition 1B will earmark money for education. If 1B passes, the state will be required to repay K-14 education $9.3 billion from the reserves built up from Proposition 1A. 1B will only take effect if 1A passes. •Proposition 1C asks voters to authorize $5 billion in new state borrowing, which would be secured by increased lottery revenues. The Lottery Modernization Act means better marketing and bigger payouts in an effort to further boost the lottery's popularity. •Proposition 1D affects Proposition 10 revenue. In 1998, voters passed a law earmarking tobacco tax money for preschool and healthcare for low-income children. If 1D passes, $1.4 billion of those monies would be used elsewhere during the next four years. •Proposition 1E asks voters to take money from Prop. 63. Passed in 2004, 63 collects an annual income tax surcharge and uses the funds for special mental health programs. If 1E passes, about $450 million of that money will be redirected to fill holes in the budget. •Proposition 1F lets voters decide whether elected officials should get pay raises in years when the state has a deficit.