Governance Reform

The ABCs of public accountability
 150 150 Sandra Sternberg
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Perhaps not surprisingly, the state of California announced this week it is $705 million short of first quarter revenue estimates, meaning so-called “trigger cuts” to the budget will go into effect. The only glimmer of hope – though dim – is word that school districts and Cal State and UC campuses have already been making plans to cover the automatic cuts triggered by this shortfall.

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Unanimous, Bipartisan … and Vetoed
 150 150 Jim Mayer and Zabrae Valentine
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California faces enormous challenges – making essential public programs work with fewer dollars, helping young people prepare for an uncertain future, and reviving our sick economy. That’s why we are so disappointed that Governor Brown vetoed SB 14 (Wolk), a critical cornerstone to the kind of governance changes that could restore opportunities for Californians — and maybe even confidence and trust in their elected officials.

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Lively discussion marks 100th anniversary of CA direct democracy
 150 150 Kim Alexander
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We are rapidly approaching the 100 year anniversary of the California initiative process, an occasion celebrated by some and scorned by others. The centennial of the Golden State’s system of direct democracy is provoking many to rethink this process and consider whether it needs an upgrade.

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AB109 offers significant state prison reform
 150 150 Kathy Jett
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AB109 is the unassuming name for the single most significant reform in a century to California’s prison system and the state’s approach to criminal justice. Beginning Oct. 1, anyone convicted of nonviolent, nonsexual and/or non-serious criminal offenses (a.k.a. triple nons) will head to county jail instead of state prison. Anyone up for parole on a similar offense will be supervised by county officials.

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On the brink of historic change: Realignment and the corrections system
 150 150 Mark Baldassare
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California is about to embark on far-reaching changes in the way it manages adult prisons and jails, and the PPIC takes a closer look at how this will impact county and city governments.

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Calls intensify for lawmakers to open their calendars
 150 150 Cheryl Getuiza & Nate Levine
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It’s become a hot button issue the last few months—Will California lawmakers buckle down and reveal their daily calendars?

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