In an appeal from Chair of the California Democratic Party, John Burton, is asking fellow Democrats to help change an undemocratic and outdated loophole that allows the minority of Republicans to block any budget from passing. As it stands now, it takes only a 33.4% vote to block the majority!

Burton refers to it as “hostage taking” and worse, this group of hostage takers occupies safe seats in their districts.

A petition (an initiative measure to be submitted directly to the voters) seeks to bring back majority rule to the budgetary process. It was recently launched by teachers, firefighters, nurses and other groups demanding a more democratic process. The initiative further provides legislative penalties for failure to pass a budget by the deadline of June 15.

You can help by taking charge: Help gather signatures for the petition.

Go to www.cadem.org/ontimebudget to download your majority vote budget petition and then GO gather signatures.