How Government Can Work Even Better—-A Bipartisan View

“There are many issues and problems in California that can be dealt with successfully if we work together in a nonpartisan way.” Those words from former San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed help explain why he is participating in a series of bipartisan conversations across California with Pete Peterson, executive director of the Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership […]

California Legislature Sending The Wrong Message By Blocking SCA 17

The California Legislature missed a couple of opportunities this month to help restore the public’s trust in government. Senate leader Darrell Steinberg’s effort to withhold the salaries of suspended lawmakers will not make it onto the November 2014 ballot. Steinberg proposed the constitutional amendment in response to criminal allegations against a trio of senators. While […]

Progress Report on California’s Efforts to Restore Trust in Government

Restoring public trust in California’s Legislature is critical. We’ve watched as three State Senators have been indicted (one convicted). The case that grabbed the most headlines was the one involving Senator Leland Yee of San Francisco who is under federal indictment for gun running. While all three were eventually suspended with pay, the feeling was […]

Legislators: Act Now to Restore Public Trust in Government

When State Senators get arrested, indicted and convicted, as a trio has in California this calendar year, it shakes the public’s confidence in our government. And rightly so. That’s why California Forward (CA Fwd) is calling on legislators to take immediate action on implementing reforms to restore public trust in government. Our Path Toward Trust (which […]

California Infrastructure—the Next California Budget Challenge?

Drive over the state’s bumpy roads, think about how old our bridges are, and take a look at the condition of your neighborhood school’s buildings. Try to get an internet connection while you’re at it. What does all this have in common? It’s all part of California’s infrastructure—the vital, long-neglected backbone of the state’s economy, […]

California Says to China “Here We Come”

California’s unofficial state song famously opens with the words “California Here I Come.” This week, it might be revised to say “China, Here We Come.” Governor Jerry Brown is leading a delegation of Californians to China this week in order to promote the Golden State as a place for Chinese investment.

Transparency in California Treading Toward More Openness?

Good government groups are using Sunshine Week to make the case for more transparent California state elections. And bills promoting more transparency are in the hopper in Sacramento. The California League of Women Voters and Common Cause are sponsoring the Sunshine in Campaigns Act, a package of bills designed to bring more light to who […]

How will CEQA Changes Modernize the California Economy?

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. CNBC reported that our state’s economy is definitely turning around. The story quotes California State Treasurer Bill Lockyer as saying that “half of […]

The Asian American Vote is Growing in California

At California Forward, we read this article about the growing influence of the Asian American vote in California in the San Jose Mercury News this week and it made us curious. Since we are a non-partisan organization that promotes an informed electorate, we thought this was worth digging into. So we asked around who we […]