CA FWD NEWS

Forward Thinker Kathay Feng reinvigorates citizens to participate in democracy
 150 150 Cheryl Getuiza
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California Forward has named Kathay Feng as a Forward Thinker for her role in Proposition 11—authorizing the formation of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission to redraw legislative lines.

Kathay Feng has spent most of her life on election reform—making sure every person’s voice is represented and heard at the polls.

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Governor could improve voters’ trust in government
 150 150 David Davenport & Lenny Mendonca
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Gov. Jerry Brown says he has 600 bills on his desk, but many he will not sign because “there’s not 600 problems that we need those solutions for.” We suggest he locate and sign two bills, SB14 and SB15, that help solve two of his biggest problems: the annual budget mess and the lack of public trust in Sacramento’s leadership, which voters say are closely linked.

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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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AB 109 implementation sparks big debate
 150 150 Cheryl Getuiza
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California is about to become the first state to undergo a major shift, in an effort to trim the state’s bulging prison population and cut costs. Starting this Saturday, the state’s new massive prisoner realignment plan begins. Assembly Bill 109 shifts the responsibility for tens of thousands of low-level inmates from state prisons to county jails. The move will save the state money and help the state comply with a U.S. Supreme Court decision requiring that it reduce its overcrowded population by more than 30,000 inmates.

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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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Forward Thinker Kim Walesh tackles economic development by supporting local businesses
 150 150 Cheryl Getuiza
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California Forward has named Kim Walesh as a Forward Thinker for developing thriving and striving economies even during these difficult times.

Kim Walesh grew up in the Bay Area and always knew she wanted to build better communities.

“I enjoyed opportunities to take ideas and put them into action—why not do it in my own community?” says Walesh.

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