California has a form of direct democracy whereby anyone can propose a law and then circulate petitions to put the proposal on the ballot for a vote. The whole idea has been subverted by special interests who hire people to collect the signatures and then launch misleading and expensive campaigns to pass the legislation.
FanDuel, DraftKings and other gambling companies tried this by proposing legislation that would give the sports betting market to internet gambling giants. The initiative would have increased gambling with its attendant problems as well as undermining the Native American casinos. The proposal also threw in some bogus stuff about helping the homeless.
The voters of CA saw through the lies. Prop 27 was defeated in every one of the state’s 58 counties. It was defeated even though the gambling companies spent $150 million to pass it, about $100 for every yes vote. It was historic loss.
I want to thank my friend Tom from Grass Valley for drawing my attention to this historic vote.
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