California Screaming
The Golden State's political class comes unglued in the face of a citizens' revolt.
Matt Welch | August/September 2009 Print Edition


On May 19, California voters went to the polls to decide whether to pass a package of six tax-and-gimmick ballot propositions.

Its supporters—Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Democratic legislative leaders, the California Teachers Association, and the overwhelming majority of the state’s major newspapers—billed it as the last best hope to plug Sacramento’s $24 billion budget deficit. “Either pass it,â€