English is the official language of California

[mattja]

California Proposition 63, English as the Official Language Initiative (1986)

"OFFICIAL STATE LANGUAGE. INITIATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. Provides that English is the official language of State of California. Requires Legislature to enforce this provision by appropriate legislation. Requires Legislature and state officials to take all steps necessary to ensure that the role of English as the common language of the state is preserved and enhanced. Provides that the Legislature shall make no law which diminishes or ignores the role of English as the common language. Provides that any resident of or person doing business in state shall have standing to sue the state to enforce these provisions. Summary of Legislative Analyst's estimate of net state and local government fiscal impact: This measure would have no direct effect on the costs or revenues of the state or local governments."

https://ballotpedia.org/California_P...tiative_(1986)

Proposition 63 passed with almost 75% support, the highest of any proposition in California history.

I posted this just in case anyone forgot.

This being the case, why does the DMV print all their material in 73 different languages at our expense?

[CLT4]

The proposition's language was extremely vague and open to a wide range of interpretations, so it is essentially not enforceable. Nobody has tried any notable lawsuit either.

For example, does offering another languages on DMV forms conflict with "ensuring that the role of English as the common language of the state is preserved and enhanced" so long as English is always available and other languages are optionally available? That's up to interpretation. Somebody can sue... if they'd like, but they'd probably lose a lot of money doing so.

[mattja]

Originally Posted by CLT4

The proposition's language was extremely vague and open to a wide range of interpretations, so it is essentially not enforceable. Nobody has tried any notable lawsuit either.

For example, does offering another languages on DMV forms conflict with "ensuring that the role of English as the common language of the state is preserved and enhanced" so long as English is always available and other languages are optionally available? That's up to interpretation. Somebody can sue... if they'd like, but they'd probably lose a lot of money doing so.

It looks pretty clear to me: "... common language of the state is preserved and enhanced" means English should be promoted at all levels, and if other languages are requested, their printing and distribution should not be on California taxpayers.

The only way to make English premier in the state is to stop printing official state documents in other languages. And stop providing interpreters on the taxpayer's dime except maybe in criminal cases.

[Kings Gambit]

Originally Posted by mattja

English is the official language of California

Proposition 63 passed with almost 75% support, the highest of any proposition in California history.

This being the case, why does the DMV print all their material in 73 different languages at our expense?

Actually, CA DMV only offers it in 32 different languages, not 73. This "73" is a completely made up figure that you came up with. You are so not dealing with any facts here. The CA DMV understands that we are a desired destination for immigrants from all over the world, so its great that we can help make their transition to American life just a tad bit easier by providing printed info and tests in their native languages. Just another amazing thing that makes CA GREAT.

Oh, and for anyone looking to do a bit of research on this, you have to go all the way back almost 40 years for info on this. There has since been TWO different Prop 63s in CA. The latest was overturned by a judge just this January 2024. It had to do with mandating background checks for ammo purchases in CA.

[CLT4]

Originally Posted by mattja

It looks pretty clear to me: "... common language of the state is preserved and enhanced" means English should be promoted at all levels, and if other languages are requested, their printing and distribution should not be on California taxpayers.

The only way to make English premier in the state is to stop printing official state documents in other languages. And stop providing interpreters on the taxpayer's dime except maybe in criminal cases.

You are welcome to sue the state to argue that the law prohibits taxpayers funding other languages. Because that is not directly stated in the law (taxpayers paying for documents in other languages), it may be tough to win. It just says you need to preserve and enhance English, but doesn't prohibit documents in other languages explicitly. If it was an easy lawsuit, I imagine somebody would have sued by now and succeeded given its been almost 40 years.

[mattja]

Originally Posted by Kings Gambit

Actually, CA DMV only offers it in 32 different languages, not 73. This "73" is a completely made up figure that you came up with. You are so not dealing with any facts here. The CA DMV understands that we are a desired destination for immigrants from all over the world, so its great that we can help make their transition to American life just a tad bit easier by providing printed info and tests in their native languages. Just another amazing thing that makes CA GREAT.

Yes, 73 is a made-up figure, but does it really matter? I don't think so. Fine then, 32. But 32 is 31 languages too many.

How can the state promote English as the primary language when it makes every effort to undermine that requirement? We cannot have universal English in the state if in practice, we do everything in our power to oppose it.

Oh, and for anyone looking to do a bit of research on this, you have to go all the way back almost 40 years for info on this. There has since been TWO different Prop 63s in CA. The latest was overturned by a judge just this January 2024. It had to do with mandating background checks for ammo purchases in CA.

Why would anyone be confused when the 1986 date is in my OP?

[colobound65]

Originally Posted by mattja

Proposition 63 passed with almost 75% support, the highest of any proposition in California history.

I posted this just in case anyone forgot.

This being the case, why does the DMV print all their material in 73 different languages at our expense?

All the street signs are in English. If you drive our streets you should be able to read English. I’ve had Uber drivers that can’t speak English. I don’t know how they do their job

[Igor Blevin]

Originally Posted by mattja

Proposition 63 passed with almost 75% support, the highest of any proposition in California history.

I posted this just in case anyone forgot.

This being the case, why does the DMV print all their material in 73 different languages at our expense?

If a tree falls in the forest and nobody hears it, does it make a noise?

If a proposition passes in California and nobody enforces it, is it still the law?

I don't specifically remember why this law was not installed and enforced. I remember that progressive plaintiffs would always sue on constitutional grounds, and get a friendly judge to declare it unconsitutional, then upheld by the 9th Circus. People would beg the liberal democrat governor to appeal to the Supremes, but of course he would not.

That is what happened to Prop 187 in 1994, which banned money and services for illegal immigrants. The will of the people was not the will of the socialist state, so the socialist state just crushed the will of the people. I would expect something similar for Prop 63 but then, GOP George Deukmajian was governor, so I can't explain that.

[pathrunner]

"English is the official language of California."

Tell that to 1992 me in Los Angeles during a particularly long-term recession when people with 20 yrs' experience who don't speak Spanish could not get a job (myself and many others) after being laid off. Tell that to English-speaking-only people who lose out on jobs that post "Spanish speaking preferred." Tell that to contract workers who lose out due to same during said recession.

I used to be tolerant. After all that started, no more. When people who are English-speaking are passed over for employment in their own damn country, it's time for some serious legislation and enforcement after a huge reality check. I was driving on the 22 freeway in Los Angeles County last week and saw a huge marquee that stated "Se Habla Espanol Aqui" -- why is that necessary? Why is it even condoned? You move to a country, you learn the language. Period.

[NORTY FLATZ]

Originally Posted by pathrunner

"English is the official language of California."

Tell that to 1992 me in Los Angeles during a particularly long-term recession when people with 20 yrs' experience who don't speak Spanish could not get a job (myself and many others) after being laid off. Tell that to English-speaking-only people who lose out on jobs that post "Spanish speaking preferred." Tell that to contract workers who lose out due to same during said recession.

I used to be tolerant. After all that started, no more. When people who are English-speaking are passed over for employment in their own damn country, it's time for some serious legislation and enforcement after a huge reality check. I was driving on the 22 freeway in Los Angeles County last week and saw a huge marquee that stated "Se Habla Espanol Aqui" -- why is that necessary? Why is it even condoned? You move to a country, you learn the language. Period.

Been thru Westminster lately? (The last 40 years or so.)