A Special Interest War; And a Special Senate Election
Like the set piece battles of World War I, where huge armies fought over territory of little value, California legislative elections have become wars between interest groups with little concern for voters or the actual candidates. No better example exists than the special election in Fresno and Bakersfield for the 16th Senate district between Democrat […]
Good Times are Rolling … but Watch Out
I noted with interest some comments that Standard & Poor’s made this week about California’s fiscal situation. They amount to a check on the euphoria that comes with the increasing revenue filling California’s coffers. While the rating agency praised California for pulling out of a financial hole, there were warnings about possible future financial difficulties […]
Direct Democracy or Direct Popular Decision Making?
Terms matter. And so do assessments. That’s true of direct democracy, as I was reminded again reading an important new paper by a leading international scholar on the subject. I wish the paper’s author, David Altman, was better known, particularly in California. He’s a Uruguayan (which should be a direct democratic credential all his own, […]
Report: Redistricting Commission a Success
In California, when we identify big problems, we try to solve them with big solutions. California voters looked at political gridlock and a lack of transparency in Sacramento, and voted for an independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (CRC) to draw our congressional and legislative districts in a transparent, democratic and nonpartisan fashion. The concept having been […]
Unintended Consequences of the BART Strike
Question: What’s the one thing that could wipe the gay marriage celebration from the headlines in San Francisco? Answer: A strike by Bay Area Rapid Transit workers. The contracts between the taxpayer funded government transit organization that serves the region and it’s union workforce expired late Sunday night, bringing the first strike of workers since […]