California Forward
As the California Citizens Redistricting Commission works to redraw the state’s political maps, it has grappled with changing demographics and how those changes impact the state’s diverse populations.
read moreCalifornia’s historic citizen redistricting process, which began with voter approval of Proposition 11 in 2008, is nearing its conclusion, after months of public interaction, extensive research, comprehensive study, and citizen input. Now, for the first time in the history of our state, we will have maps drawn in an open and transparent manner, with full input of Californians and without the gerrymandering that has led our state to the pinnacle of special interest influence and extreme partisanship.
read moreAs a transplanted Minnesotan, I have considered it a privilege to live in what I thought was the Golden State, a place of rich diversity, inspiring creativity and incredible beauty. However, as I have lived in the San Joaquin Valley, I have been shocked to find levels of poverty mirroring the Third World and a California culture so fragmented I had to wonder if the principles laid out in the founding documents made it to the West Coast.
read moreCA Fwd Policy Director Richard Raya has been profiled by InnovatingSMART, an organization working to share stories of people and organizations doing innovative work to create systems that improve lives.
read moreA mid-year economic forecast from the LA Economic Development Corporation shows a moderate recovery for the region, but other California regional economies are still struggling.
read moreCalifornia Forward has named Jon Nachison a Forward Thinker for his work to support and better the lives of U.S. veterans who have trouble finding stable footing when they return from the war zone.
read moreA new poll finds that most California voters would rather see some prisoners receive shorter sentences than raise taxes or cut education to pay prison-related costs.
read moreJohn Maltbie appeared before a California Assembly budget subcommittee last week to discuss the merits of performance-based budgeting, including measuring whether programs are working and signaling when adjustments need to be made.
read moreAnother piece of California’s budgetary house of cards is wavering as redevelopment agencies file suit to prevent states from forcing them to give up a portion of their funds to other local government priorities, including schools.
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