Californians Face Off On Controversial Initiatives

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AllPolitics, March 25) -- Leave it to Californians to keep things interesting.

Few in California doubt that Sen. Robert Dole, who has already clinched the GOP nomination, will easily take the Golden State primary tomorrow. President Bill Clinton is running unopposed on the Democratic ticket, while consumer advocate Ralph Nader's sidebar candidacy on the Green Party ticket is barely more than a blip on the political radar.

But three controversial ballot initiatives -- Propositions 200, 201, and 202 -- promise to draw voters to decide what has become a $20 million battle.

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Opponents call them the "Terrible Two's." Proposition 200 would, if approved, create no-fault auto insurance in California. That would force insurance companies to pay their client's damages, no matter who was at fault. Prop 201 would force losers in securities fraud lawsuits to pay the winner's attorney's fees. Finally, attorney's fees for personal-injury, wrongful death and certain other tort lawsuits would be limited to 15 percent under Prop 202.

Not all states allow ballot initiatives, but they are a staple of California politics, often galvanizing public opinion nationwide. Two years ago, California's controversial Prop 187, which would have barred most social services for illegal immigrants, sparked a national dialogue on immigration that continues to rage on today. Prop 187 was passed by Golden State voters, but later overturned by a federal judge as unconstitutional.