The internet was humming last week with the news that the California economy has generated $4.6 billion more in state tax revenue than budget writers
It’s difficult to find one word to describe the overall mood of Californians. There’s anxiety, frustration and anger about the state of our once Golden
A lot of us have been preparing for the day when the political and fiscal crises in California reached the point where substantive changes could be made. We may be getting close.
Based on the proclamations made Wednesday in Sacramento, it is clear that in terms of budget reform what the public wants also makes good policy, and that at least some political leaders are beginning to see the opportunity of the crisis.
The event, organized by California Forward, highlighted best budget practices from other states and the findings of in-depth public opinion research in California. Incoming Senate President Pro-Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), Sen. Mark Wyland (R-Carlsbad), Director of Finance Mike Genest, and Mike Rubio, chairman of the Kern County Board of Supervisors, described how they would like to see budget reforms advance.
Leon E. Panetta, co-chair of the bipartisan reform effort, ended the session by outlining the types of improvements that will be necessary to restore the public trust, and the consequences of failing that challenge.