LA Times Bemoans Attacks on Reform Efforts

In a Feb. 16 editorial - "A triple whammy for California voters" - the LA Times mourns the suspension of the petition drive for a Constitutional Convention, as well as two other harbingers that political reform will remain elusive - the rejection of Abel Maldonado as Lt. Governor and a possible November ballot measure to repeal the citizens' redistricting commission. According to the Times, the "empire [has] struck back," in an effort to retain the existing constitutional structure. Read the editorial here.

Repair California Suspends Convention Petition Drive

Repair California, the group sponsoring two lead initiatives on a Constitutional Convention has suspended its signature gathering efforts for lack of funds. Read their press release here, or LA Times article here. Unless they resume their signature drive within a couple of weeks, it is unlikely that voters will have a chance this November to call a convention.

Two other initiatives to call a convention, sponsored by California Action Network, failed to collect the requisite number of signatures within the allotted time. Sponsors, however, indicate they plan to refile in time to qualify for the November ballot. Read statement here.

George Skelton - "Voters Want Change Now"

The Los Angeles Times' veteran capitol reporter, George Skelton, reports on the many problems plaguing California government, especially legislative paralysis in the face of special interests and budget fatigue. He posits that the problem will only get worse in the face of last week's Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. FEC, which held (5-4) that corporations have a 1st amendment right to influence elections. Skelton proposes immediate action by the Legislature lest "outside forces" take matters into their own hands by calling a constitutional convention. Full article here.

New York Times - Jumping on Convention Bandwagon

First, the New York Times launched a new series - California Reeling - along the lines of the LA Times' California Fix. It's latest installment Ballot Issues Attest to Anger in California looks at the dozens of pending initiatives that would restructure California government, including those calling for a constitutional convention.

Now, columnist Timothy Egan writes that nothing will save California except a convention. See last par. here. Stay tuned.

LA Times Editorial Supporting Repair California Initiatives

In its ongoing series, The California Fix, the Los Angeles Times explores the structural problems facing California. An editorial on Sunday, January 3, endorses the two initiatives filed in October by Repair California, a coalition formed in part by the Bay Area Council.

Read the LA Times Editorial - A Smart Convention Plan.

Read the Repair California initiatives

[0066 - Amending the Constitution] [Attorney General's Title & Summary]

[0067 - Calling a convention] [Attorney General's Title & Summary]

Arguing our way to a Convention

Patrick Collins, Director of the Claremont Institute's Golden State Center for State and Local Government, has an interesting piece in today's Los Angeles Times' California Fix series entitled "The arguing is the argument against a constitutional convention." Collins argues that widespread discord and disagreement on values augurs against a successful convention. "A convention, rather than smoothing over our divisions in an effort to produce a workable document, is likely to exacerbate them." The full article is here.

Voters skeptical of state reform proposals

A Los Angeles Times / USC poll reports that most California voters are skeptical of major reform efforts currently being discussed as a way to fix our State's budget woes. A majority of those polled blame the ongoing crises on lawmakers rather than structural problems. The full article is here.