Commonweallh - VOL LXXIV - NO.7 - February 18,1980

Sep 29, 2026

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News and commentary on Commonwealth Club activities and public policy debates dated February 18, 1980. The issue includes remarks by Dr. Daniel Ellsberg and coverage of a talk by David S. Saxon, President of the University of California, focusing on the June ballot initiatives and specifically Proposition 9. It discusses expected impacts on education and state finances, outlines key provisions of Proposition 9, and references related measures such as Proposition 13, Proposition 4, and Proposition 9’s legal and revenue implications.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time8 min

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VOL LXXIV · NO.7

February 18,1980

FRIDAY FLASHES—February 8, 1980

Dr. Daniel Ellsberg Remarks

Proposition 9 Provisions and Impact

Commnonweallh | VOL LXXIV ·NO.7 | | February 18,1980 | | --- | --- | --- | | FEB.22 | "Higher Education
and the Public In- | First,it will fall with a heavy hand,not
only on education,but on all publicly sup-
ported activities,state and local,with not
enough time for either merit or need to be
properly taken into account.Second,it will | | DR.DANIEL
ELLSBERG | terest—Can We
Afford Jarvis II?” | result in a massive transfer of both tax
dollars and government controls from
California to Washington,for the second
time in two years.Third,it is a diversion-
ary approach to the real problem of tax
reform and incentives,a problem that | | | | | | "Are We The Last
Generation?” | FRIDAY FLASHES—February 8,
1980
From Address by David S.Saxon,
President,University of California.
Seventy-five years ago last month,the | must be addressed at the federal level.
Fourth,it is much too soon.We need to
digest Proposition 13 and Proposition 4
before we risk massive and precipitous
new social experiments like Proposition 9.
Finally,it is the latest example of a wor- | | “A discussion of draft
registration,Selective
Service and the dangers of
global confrontation by the
super-powers.” | Commonwealth Club voted to support two
radical new ideas,now associated with
Hiram Johnson and the Progressives:the
initiative and referendum.In a state whose
legislature had become captured by
special interests,unresponsive to public
opinion,and indifferent to the common
good,it was an eminently reasonable posi-
tion.The record shows that the debate
was characterized by the thoroughness | risome trend towards use of the initiative
as a substitute for the legislative process.
Each of these by itself is a persuasive
argument against Proposition 9.Together
they seem to me overwhelming evidence
that the measure is bad news for Califor-
nia.
What is Proposition 9?
Proposition 9,if enacted,will accomplish | | | | | | | | | | Noon,Ralston Room | and public spirit that have become a | three things:it will fully index the State's | | Sheraton Palace Hotel | hallmark of the Commonwealth Club tra-
dition.Six years later,in 1911,the state | personal income tax,it will totally repeal
the business inventory tax,and it will | | Tickets-$8 at the door. | followed your example and voted to adopt
the initiative and referendum.Direct legis- | reduce the personal income tax rate in
California by 50 percent.The first two | | For the past five years Dr.Daniel
Ellsberg has been associated with the
Northern California Alliance for Survival
and has been a critic ofnuclear weapon
development.In light of the latest crisis in | lation thus became a part of California's
history.
The Jarvis I Initiative
I am not here to reopen that debate.I | provisions have already been enacted by
the Legislature;Proposition 9 would have
the effect of building them into the Con-
stitution.The third provision,reduction of
the personal income tax rate by 50 per- | | the Middle East Eilsberg has become
increasingly concerned about what he
perceives as the overall militarizing of our
society.
The proposed registration of men and
women and re-activation of the selective
service system is symptomaticof the threat
the world faces,Ellsberg feels,and he
therefore supports the active resistance to
draft registration.In his Commonwealth
Club presentation Ellsberg will expand this
thesis in discussing the draft and the race to
nuclear armament.
ELLENM.NEWMAN | am here because I am gravely concerned
about a particular initiative,Jarvis IⅡ—
Proposition 9,on the June ballot.I am con-
vinced that

FAQs

What is the main subject of this February 18, 1980 issue?

The issue centers on public discussion and arguments concerning the June ballot initiative known as Proposition 9, including its expected effects on education and state finances.

Who are the key speakers mentioned in the document?

Dr. Daniel Ellsberg is prominently featured, and David S. Saxon (President, University of California) is referenced in the FRIDAY FLASHES section.

What major impacts does the document discuss regarding Proposition 9?

It describes expected harm to education at all levels and outlines estimates for revenue losses to the state, along with the initiative’s specific tax-related and constitutional effects.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by dabgoudw