California

California has more than 4,500 local governments, yet it often feels ungoverned. Proponents of so-called “e-government” say technology can change that: the digital world, they argue, offers a better way to connect citizens to government and provide services faster and more efficiently. A new report, "Hear Us Now?", surveys how California governments use technology and proposes ways of measuring the success of their e-government initiatives -- topics that the panelists will explore at this event.

With the president’s highly touted jobs speech this week, national attention is about to pivot from deficits and debt — where the focus has been for much of the summer — to jobs and how to boost the struggling economic recovery. 

Did you know that a child with a savings account in his or her name is seven times more likely to attend college, regardless of the size of that account? Or that 30% of Californians lack enough savings to get by for 3 months in the event of a job loss? The need for supporting asset building strategies at the local, state, and national level is clear.

(originally published at Fox & Hounds Daily)
Teachers' unions have been described across the political spectrum as an obstacle to fixing the schools.

So why not put them in charge of the schools?

Optimism about technology is more or less a California trait, but it requires some discipline.

(originally published at Fox & Hounds Daily)
If Democrats want to win 2/3 of the legislature, they should start acting like a party you might trust with 2/3 of the legislature.

If they ever want to fix the governing system of California to restore majority accountability, they should start acting like people you would trust to reform the governing system.

Californians are eager for change and they are ready to take ownership to ensure that it happens.

This is the key takeaway from What's Next California's Deliberative Poll results, which were released on Monday.

The poll took place on a sunny, late-June weekend in Torrance. Four hundred Californians from all walks of life were carefully chosen to best represent California's entire voting population and given accommodations for the weekend.

Sacramento, Calif. – Californians want more oversight over elected officials, a clear and strong initiative process, and more power for local governments, according to the results of California's first-ever deliberative poll, organizers of which agree can – and should – guide efforts to fix state government.

More than 400 people – a scientifically selected random sample – came to Torrance in June for the What's Next California? deliberative poll.

The Golden State not only faces unprecedented demographic and economic changes, but does so with a governance system that is fundamentally broken, and arguably incapable of implementing the policy reforms that are so clearly needed. Recognizing this, the New America Foundation joined the What's Next California coalition to convene a deliberative poll with a scientifically selected random sample of California's registered voters.

(originally published at Fox & Hounds Daily)
I know that Senate Bill 448 -- which requires circulators of initiative and referendum petitions to wear large badges or signs on their chests explaining, in 30 point type, that they are paid - is probably unconstitutional, given that it restricts the First Amendment rights of people to petition their government.