2009 California Proposition 1F
2009 California Proposition 1F, also known as Senate Constitutional Amendment 8, was a measure approved by California voters relating to the salaries of state officers. It was an amendment of the Constitution of California prohibiting pay raises for members of the State Legislature, the Governor, and other state officials during deficit years. It was proposed by the legislature and approved in a referendum held as part of the May 19, 2009 special election ballot, in which the California electorate also voted on five other propositions.
Background
In February 2009, the State Legislature narrowly passed the 2008–2009 state budget during a special session, months after it was due. As part of the plan to lower the state's annual deficits, the State Legislature ordered a special election with various budget reform ballot propositions, among them Proposition 1F.The measure was proposed by the State Legislature as a joint resolution called Senate Constitutional Amendment 8 of the 2009–10 Regular Session. It was authored by Senator Abel Maldonado, a Republican from Santa Maria, and passed both houses unanimously. The legislature later voted in an extraordinary session to submit the amendment and five other proposals to a special election held in May. The other propositions were all rejected by voters.