Government Reform
Many Californians feel that our state and local governments no longer function as they were intended and are calling for change.
The League has long advocated for improvements in budget and fiscal issues, the initiative process, campaign financing, and elections and voting rights. We will continue to educate the public about the issues and seek reform.
Constitutional Reform
Select Committees on Improving State Government have been appointed by both houses of the Legislature and are holding a series of informational hearings around the state. Read the League’s testimony on reform of the initiative process at a hearing in Oakland on November 12, 2009.
The LWVC highlighted problems with California’s governance and made suggestions for reform in a statement
to a joint legislative committee hearing about constitutional and budget reform on August 18. Watch a video of the hearing here.
A number of groups are seeking change in California’s constitution. Visit these Web sites to learn about the various methods they recommend and the subjects they propose to tackle. While we have not endorsed any particular route to reform, we believe it is important to participate in the public discussion.
- Repair California http://www.repaircalifornia.org/ is a coalition advocating a constitutional convention.
- California Forward http://www.caforward.org/ has proposals for reforming the state’s budget and fiscal systems and the relationship between state and local government.
- Center for Governmental Studies http://cgs.org publishes research and analyses of governance issues. See their article on the pros and cons of a constitutional convention.
- Cities, Counties and Schools Partnership www.ccspartnership.org/default.cfm held a summit on Rebuilding California: From the Ground Up . Read their resource materials and summary report.
- The state legislature has announced select committees to look for ways to make state government more effective.
The advantages and drawbacks of various paths to reform will be examined at Getting to Reform: Avenues for Constitutional Change in California, a daylong, free conference to be held in Sacramento October 14.
The California Budget Crisis
They passed a buget, but failed California. Act now to tell your legislator to get back to work and support real reform through reduction of the two-thirds requirement to pass the budget or raise revenues. Read our press release and visit our budget page for more information.