When it comes to providing Californians with transparency in government, the Legislature always manages to exempt itself from the rules it creates. The State has rightfully enacted laws to make it easier for citizens to scrutinize their local governments. Yet the majority party has made clear that in the Capitol, it prefers secrecy to openness. […]

Last month, the State Assembly passed bills to make voter registration easier in hopes of increasing participation in elections.  Our democratic system of government cannot work well without informed and active engagement by the people, so I have supported several efforts over the years to boost voter participation, including one of the bills running through […]

With the New Year upon us, we traditionally make resolutions to better ourselves. In keeping with that spirit, the State Legislature can make one simple resolution for 2015 – give legislators and the public enough time to review the bills that will be voted on. Every day, legislators are faced with policy proposals that will […]

For 103 years, the Boy Scouts have inspired generations of boys to become men of character. As the mother of three young children, I hope they will grow up embodying the values of responsibility and service that the Boy Scouts work hard to promote. But instead of recognizing its achievements, activists want to punish the […]