The state special election on May 19 will ask voters to decide on five propositions aimed at shoring up California's finances and one proposition to freeze state salaries during years with deficits. We asked staff writer Evan Halper to concisely explain each measure.

What Proposition 1A would do: This measure would limit the growth of government spending.

Quick take: The proposition would require lawmakers and the governor to increase the state's rainy-day reserves during boom times to 12.5% of the general fund (the current amount is 5%). New restrictions on tapping the reserves would be imposed to keep money on hand for emergencies, such as natural disasters, or for years when revenue is down. The measure would let the governor cut up to 7% from many types of state operations and cost-of-living adjustments. The measure also would trigger an extension of billions of dollars in recent increases in sales, income and vehicle taxes for up to two additional years.

-- Evan Halper

Full text: Proposition 1A

Recent coverage: Election Central

Links: May 19 Voter Guide | Find your polling place  | How the props are expected to do | Times endorsements

Discuss: Should voters limit how much government spending can grow each year?

Share your comments or upload a video with your answer here.

What Proposition 1B would do: This measure would restore $9.3 billion to schools if Proposition 1A passes.

Quick take: If both measures pass, annual "supplemental" payments to K-12 schools and community colleges would begin in 2011 to make up for recent cuts. The state would have several years to get its books back in order before starting the new payments, which would be drawn over several years from the larger rainy-day fund that Proposition 1A would establish. In putting this measure on the ballot, the governor and legislators won the backing of the powerful California Teachers Assn. for all six ballot measures.

-- Evan Halper

Full text of the propositions

Recent coverage: Election Central

Links: May 19 Voter Guide | Find your polling place  | How the props are expected to do | Times endorsements

Discuss: Should voters guarantee money for schools when the state is running a multibillion-dollar deficit?

Share your comments or upload a video with your answer here.

What Proposition 1C would do: This "lottery modernization" measure represents the propositions' biggest new revenue source for next year's budget.

Quick take: The proposition would authorize state officials to borrow $5 billion that would be repaid by profits from a revamped California State Lottery. The measure proposes to increase lottery profits with better marketing and bigger prizes to attract more customers. The measure guarantees that money provided to schools by the lottery -- typically less than 2% of the education budget -- would come instead from the state general fund.  State officials say that if Proposition 1C fails, they will have to cut billions of dollars more from the current budget.

-- Evan Halper

Full text of the propositions

Recent coverage: Election Central

Links: May 19 Voter Guide | Find your polling place  | How the props are expected to do | Times endorsements

Discuss: Should the state expand the lottery and borrow $5 billion against projected future profits from it to balance the budget?

Share your comments or upload a video with your answer here.

What it would do: This measure would shift about $1.7 billion away from early childhood development programs over the next five years and use it to help balance the state's budget.

Quick take: The California Children and Families Program, established by voters in 1998, would lose $608 million in 2009-10 and $268 million a year for the next four years. That represents about 70% of the program's revenue, which comes from a tax on cigarettes. The money would go to the general fund to finance health and human services programs for young children.

-- Evan Halper

Full text of the propositions

Recent coverage: Election Central

Links: May 19 Voter Guide | Find your polling place  | How the props are expected to do | Times endorsements

Discuss: Should the state temporarily reduce voter approved early childhood education programs to balance the budget?

Share your comments or upload a video with your answer here.

What Proposition 1E would do: This measure would temporarily shift money away from a mental health program established by voters in 2004, paid for with a 1% tax on personal income above $1 million.

Quick take: About $460 million would be diverted from mental health programs over the next two years -- roughly a quarter of the program's revenues during that period -- to help balance the state's books. The redirected money would fund screening, diagnosis and treatment services for MediCal patients younger than 21, including those in need of mental health help. The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office says the measure would temporarily reduce money available for mental health programs.

-- Evan Halper

Full text of the propositions

Recent coverage: Election Central

Links: May 19 Voter Guide | Find your polling place  | How the props are expected to do | Times endorsements

Discuss: Should the state temporarily reduce voter approved mental health programs to balance the budget?

Share your comments or upload a video with your answer here.

What Proposition 1F would do: This measure would prevent pay raises for legislators and statewide officeholders in deficit years.

Quick take: Near the end of each fiscal year, the state finance director would determine whether the general fund is expected to run a deficit. Declaration of a deficit would mean the California Citizens Compensation Commission is not permitted to raise the salaries of top elected leaders, which currently range from $116,000 for legislators to $212,000 for the governor (Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger does not take his salary).

-- Evan Halper

Full text of the propositions

Recent coverage: Election Central

Links: May 19 Voter Guide | Find your polling place  | How the props are expected to do | Times endorsements

Discuss: Should the salaries of lawmakers and state constitutional officers be frozen when California is running a deficit?

Share your comments or upload a video with your answer here.