California will vote on six ballot initiatives related to budget issues on May 19th. Many speculate that the measures will pass unless labor unions campaign otherwise (since they have the money and means of doing so). Just four years ago labor groups helped defeat several of Governor Schwarzenegger's ballot measures, but this year may be different. The California Teacher's Association is actually backing one measure, which ensures that schools get $9 billion in funding. A More controversial proposal, however, limits state spending. Public employee unions may fight this one, as it could mean fewer government jobs in the future. As voting draws nearer, unions are conducting meetings internally to determine a course of action.
See "Unions hold the wild card on proposed state spending cap", Kevin Yamamura, The Sacramento Bee, March 1, 2009