Government Performance & Accountability

Plan Monrovia: How one California city is making a lean budget work
 150 150 Alexandra Bjerg
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As cities are being challenged to do more with less, city officials and residents share the same goal: ensuring that limited resources are being spent wisely. In Monrovia, they are working in tandem to do just that.

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March elections cancelled in Lakewood and Paramount
 150 150 Cheryl Getuiza
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Campaigning for the March municipal elections for incumbents in two cities in Los Angeles Counties have officially ended, even before folks head to the polls.

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California Democrats continuing march toward campaign transparency
 150 150 Alexandra Bjerg
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It is only weeks into this new legislative session and Democratic state lawmakers have already introduced a handful of bills aimed at increasing campaign disclosure requirements and transparency in California’s elections.

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Building on 2012’s successes in 2013
 150 150 Christopher Nelson
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The fiscal outlook this year is better, thankfully, and there is great momentum carrying over to 2013 in oyher areas as we look to determine the big issues we’ll need to face as a state.

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Taking year-end inventory of government transparency in California
 150 150 Christopher Nelson
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Looking back over the past year, the citizenry of California scored some wins in government accountability with upgrades like citizen redistricting and online voter registration. But the halls of state government are still being obscured by dark campaign money and shady legislating, such as the infamous gut-and-amend. Will 2013 be the Year of Transparency?

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How will CEQA changes modernize the California economy?
 150 150 Ed Coghlan
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As we approach year’s end, the news about the California economy is less gloomy than it was a year ago. A look at some recent reporting shows a mixed bag, but with the trends in the right direction.

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Surprising lack of female candidates in LA’s 2013 field
 150 150 Cheryl Getuiza
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Los Angeles is heating up for the 2013 election with the field set for the mayor, city attorney, controller and eight city council races. Out of 57 candidates, there are only 10 females.

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Senate Bill 44 would further expand Online Voter Registration in California
 150 150 Alexandra Bjerg
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Although more than 18 million Californians are now registered to vote, Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) says that’s not enough and wants to expand the system with Senate Bill 44.

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A surprising salary for one California city manager explained
 150 150 Cheryl Getuiza
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It’s the holiday season, so in the spirit of giving, California State Controller John Chiang released some new data on workers compensation via his new website Government Compensation in California.

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