The Top Two – Early Impressions from the Research
Of all the recent California political reforms — and there have been a passel – the Top Two electoral system seems the most controversial, and
Ethan Rarick
February 9, 2015
Author: Ethan Rarick
Director of the Robert T. Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service, a component of the Institute of Governmental Studies at UC-Berkeley
The Latest Prop. 30 Poll and the Lessons of History
What to make of the new Field Poll on Prop. 30? Looking back at the state’s political history, most propositions in roughly similar situations pass,
Ethan Rarick
November 2, 2012
Arnold’s Book: The Questions the Governator did not Answer
Here are five (admittedly wonky) questions that I wish Arnold Schwarzenegger had answered in his new book – and how he missed the boat on
Ethan Rarick
October 9, 2012
Prop. 30 Ads – Wrong (Thank Goodness)
The new ads touting the governor’s tax increase emphasize that the money will be locked away for public education. It’s a phony claim, but ironically
Ethan Rarick
October 4, 2012
Will Prop. 30 Pass? Here’s Some Historical Perspective
What’s the likely outcome for Proposition 30, Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed tax increase? That’s the million-dollar question – well, OK, the $6-billion question – for
Ethan Rarick
September 26, 2012
Why Republicans Need Sunscreen and Flip-Flops
The new voter registration statistics are bad news for Republicans, and the closer you look, the worse it becomes for the GOP. When the Secretary
Ethan Rarick
February 7, 2012
What the Voters Want: More Corporate Taxes
Here’s the most interesting thing about the new PPIC poll: One of the most popular ideas with voters is something that almost nobody talks about.
Ethan Rarick
January 27, 2012
California’s Central Valley Project? The Feds Bailed Us Out
In making his case during the State of the State speech for the proposed high-speed rail system and the pending water bond, Gov. Jerry Brown
Ethan Rarick
January 19, 2012
Bake sales aside, SB 185 won’t make much of a difference
The “diversity bake sale” by the Berkeley College Republicans and the resulting whirlwind of counter-protests prove yet again that Berkeley suffers no shortage of self-righteous
Ethan Rarick
September 29, 2011