Energy Policy, Affordable Drugs On Nov. 8 Ballot

Voters will find competing prescription drug measures on the November 8 special election ballot. The CALPIRG-supported Prop. 79 would create a prescription drug discount program in which the state negotiates reduced prescription drug prices for uninsured Californians. The measure would use current government contracts to leverage deep discounts.

Prop. 78, a counter-measure opposed by CALPIRG, was submitted by the drug industry to muddle the picture and prevent meaningful reform. Prop. 78 would allow drug companies to choose not to participate in a voluntary program.

Several other questions are on the ballot, including a CALPIRG-supported energy initiative, Prop. 80, also known as the Undo Enron initiative. It would eliminate much of the disastrous 1996 energy deregulation law that led to price spikes and blackouts and enabled Enron and other energy companies to manipulate the market.

“Deregulation was a disaster for California,” said Emily Rusch, CALPIRG’s advocate on budget and energy policy. “We need long-term energy planning, consumer protections and a halt to future deregulation attempts. Prop. 80 provides all three.”