Blog & News

The Presidential Google town hall held last week might end up as just another a tech gimmick to spread messaging. But, if used effectively, Google’s Hangouts could help local governments to not only become more transparent but more interactive on the web.

It’s a simple equation that is all too often overlooked because the benefits are not all immediate. It is clearly the strongest solution, however.

Here we are 100 years removed from the creation of the ballot initiative process, discussing the need to reform the ballot initiative system in order to again help regain the citizen’s voice in government from wealthy special interests.

California is on an unsustainable financial path littered with the heavy-handed influence of special interest money. But we can counteract that influece in Sacramento if enough Californians come together and act to fix our state.

We take a look at some of the news items and events happening in California this week that affect all of us.

After joining the Asian Americans for Community Involvement in 2005, Lew has worked with elected leaders in Santa Clara County and statewide, ensuring life-saving services aren’t on the cutting board for budgets.

In the past week or so, many different campaigns, from the national to the city level, have kicked into gear. We take a look at which of them are hitting closest to home.

The City of Bell made headlines for all of the wrong reasons. Now they are mending wounds of the past and forging ahead with new leadership and a focus on being transparent and accountable to their citizens.

The same three principles that have held the Swiss together for more than 700 years could help us pull together in California just as easily.