One more broken system
Let me add one more broken California government system to those listed in Joe Mathews' blog posting on caforward.org on Oct. 18 Read More
Categories: Elections, Governance Reform
Commentary
Comprehensive fiscal reform: How long can we wait?
Even with 100 "extra" days to finish their work, the Legislature and Governor fell well short of including comprehensive budget reform in the final 2010 budget. Read More
Categories: Democracy, Elections, Fiscal Reform, Budget Reform, Rainy Day Fund, Budget Reform, Elections, Fiscal Reform Plan
Proposition 22: Local revenue protection
Proposition 22 was placed on the ballot in response to the state’s habit of turning to local municipalities to help balance its budget. Read More
Categories: Elections, Governance Reform
Memo to candidates - dire economy calls for deep reforms
California’s unemployment rate is 12.4 percent - third-highest in the country - but that statistic fails to tell the whole story of our economic woes. Read More
Categories: Elections, Governance Reform, Tax Reform
Proposition 19: Legalization of marijuana
Proposition 19 has been widely debated across California. The measure to legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana will go before voters on Nov. 2. Read More
Proposition 26: Two-thirds vote for fees
We all pay a mix of taxes and fees to fund government services, such as schools, roads, libraries, and police and fire services. Proposition 26 seeks to change how we approve certain fees from a simple majority of 50 percent plus one to a two-thirds majority vote. Read More
Categories: Budget Reform, Elections, Tax Reform
Proposition 25 - A new front in the long war against Proposition 13
Proposition 25 is the latest weapon against Proposition 13, but backers do not want voters to know it. Read More
Categories: Budget Reform, Elections, Tax Reform
Proposition 25 - A chance for change
What motivates people to vote? Change. Read More
Categories: Budget Reform, Elections
Proposition 25: Majority vote budget
The California State Constitution requires that the Legislature approve a budget by June 15 of each year, 15 days before the start of the new fiscal year on July 1. But over time, the budget has increasingly been enacted past this date. Read More
Categories: Budget Reform, Elections, Fiscal Reform Plan
The education crisis, state leaders, and the upcoming election
Let’s be clear about something: There is an education crisis in California. An inequitable education system is creating a lost generation of students. Soon the rest of California will feel this loss, as it ripples across an economy and civil society that needs a more skilled labor force, better educated and engaged residents, and a social safety network that will be stressed into bankruptcy. Read More
Categories: Elections
Free movie screening: Gerrymandering
We hope you'll be able to join us for a special screening of the just-released film Gerrymandering this Thursday, Oct. 21 in San Francisco! Read More
Categories: Proposition 11, Redistricting
“Strong ale for a weak economy” to benefit CA Forward
The Half Moon Bay Brewing Company has sent a five-pack of its popular Budgetary Alement Ale to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and the rest of the state's "Big Five," in honor of the recent passing of the state's budget, which was a record 100 days overdue. Read More
Categories: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bob Hertzberg, Leadership Council
Proposition 21: VLF surcharge for parks
This measure would create a new, stable funding stream for California state parks and wildlife programs, which have received declining amounts of financial support in recent years. Read More
Categories: Budget Reform, Elections
Joe Mathews: Beyond the election
The two top contenders for governor each have ruled out pursuing the kind of top-to-bottom electoral, budget and structural changes the state needs. Read More
Categories: Civic Engagement, Elections, Governance Reform
Mike Genest: Ensuring state and municipal solvency
When I retired as Governor Schwarzenegger’s Director of Finance at the end of last year, I decided that I wanted to remain involved in state policy, especially surrounding our troubled budget. Read More
Categories: Budget Reform, Rainy Day Fund, State Budget, Bob Hertzberg, Budget Reform, Fiscal Reform Plan
Jim Lazarus: Critical moment for redistricting reform
Once considered one of the most powerful economic engines in the world, California recently made headlines for its record-breaking 100-day budget impasse. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated occurrence. Read More
Categories: Citizens Redistricting Commission, Elections, Proposition 11
Speaking Up for California at the Reviving California Community Summit
On Saturday, Oct. 2, California Forward talked with attendees at the American Leadership Forum's (ALF) Reviving California Community Summit at the Flint Center in Cupertino, as part of our Speak Up for California campaign. Read More
Categories: Speak Up CA
The Proposition Song
Need a little help sorting out all of those propositions on this November's ballot? The California Voter Foundation‘s “Proposition Song Players” have put together a little ditty to help clear things up – the state-wide famous Proposition Song! Read More
Categories: Civic Engagement, Elections
Proposition 27: Repeal of Citizens’ Redistricting Commission
This measure returns responsibility for determining the boundaries of the California’s legislative districts to the State Legislature, taking it out of the hands of a bipartisan commission recently established by voters. Read More
Categories: Citizens Redistricting Commission, Dear Gov, Elections, Proposition 11
Proposition 27: Repeal of Citizens’ Redistricting Commission
This measure returns responsibility for determining the boundaries of the California’s legislative districts to the State Legislature, taking it out of the hands of a bipartisan commission recently established by voters. Read More
Categories: Citizens Redistricting Commission, Dear Gov, Elections, Proposition 11