This isn't a misconception in California; the literal text of the law in some circumstances effectively earmarks funds. For example, take the first proposition

This isn't a misconception in California; the literal text of the law in some circumstances effectively earmarks funds. For example, take the first proposition from the last election — which happens to be about schools — Prop 51 from the November 2016 general election: > A fund is hereby established in the State Treasury, to be known as the 2016 State School Facilities Fund > no disbursement shall be made from any funds required by law to be transferred to the General Fund. > Bonds in the total amount of nine billion dollars ($9,000,000,000) […] may be issued and sold for the purposes set forth… (This proposition was approved by the voters.)