California Family Minute

October 12, 2011

Referendum on SB 48 Falls Short

by Ron Prentice,
Chief Executive Officer

October 10th marked the 100th anniversary of California citizens’ approval of the initiative, referendum, and recall processes. Although many claim the initiative process is over-used in California, it has proven to be a necessary tool when legislators have refused to represent the electorate.

The referendum process has been used less often than initiatives, primarily because it is more difficult. An initiative attempt allows a full five months to gather the required amount of valid signatures to place an issue on a ballot. However, a referendum - attempting to repeal a bill signed into law - allows only 90 days from the day a bill is signed by our governor. 

Today it was announced that the referendum to keep Senate Bill 48 from becoming law did not acquire the adequate number of signatures. The abbreviated timeline and lack of funding made this attempt extremely difficult from its beginning. Therefore, on January 1, 2012, a new mandate will take effect, forcing California’s K-12 education system to include mention of homosexuality, bisexuality, and transgenderism in its social science curriculum. Children as young as kindergarten age may be exposed to these alternative sexual behaviors through instructional materials, and before long, revised textbooks will include such content.

The real heroes of this referendum effort are the volunteers and clergy. In the campaign to pass Proposition 8, many pastors spoke for the first time from their pulpits about immorality decreed from our Legislature and Courts. In response to SB 48, many more have chosen to take a stand. Thousands of people gave of their time to circulate, gather, and scrub petitions.  

In any failed attempt, people may grow weary and be tempted to lose hope. However, we cannot shrink from this field of battle. More and more people are recognizing the loss of freedom resulting from legislators and judges who believe they are accountable to no one. It is our responsibility to provide consequences for their arrogance. The road to transformation may be long, but it can be reached as we continue to build a force of informed and active citizens.      

California Family Council’s participation in the referendum was to many times direct our friends to the StopSB48.com Web site for information and petitions, and to respond to media requests with information and perspective on this bill’s potential impact. In addition, CFC supplied pastors in our network with talking points and petitions, and allowed local volunteers access to our list of pastors in order to make phone calls requesting their involvement. 

CFC pledges to continue in this fight, joining with others in strategic work to protect California’s children and families from the attacks upon rights of conscience and religious freedom.