CA: State reform on the fly

OC Register ^ | 8/12/04 | Jim Hinch

[NormsRevenge]

SACRAMENTO – The most comprehensive state government reform attempted in nearly a century was born on the back of a phone book.

Ideas for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's California Performance Review - his plan to "blow up the boxes" of state government - began percolating last year after Schwarzenegger was shown a copy of the state's tangled bureaucratic organizational chart, printed on the back of a government telephone directory.

Within weeks, Schwarzenegger's amazement at the scope of state bureaucracy had transformed into a campaign slogan that government is riddled with waste, then a rushed search among friends for a credible reform plan, and finally a four-month sprint toward publication of a 2,500-page laundry list of streamlining ideas.

The chance origins of the Performance Review, told recently between bites on a cigar by Deputy Cabinet Secretary Paul Miner, suggest that while Schwarzenegger has wowed Californians with the boldness of his plan, his approach to reform differs from previous governors who enacted major change.

Experts said that past transformations of California government - principally Gov. Hiram Johnson's Progressive Era reforms and Gov. Pat Brown's infrastructure expansions - were the product of a lifetime's preparation, philosophical commitment and a willingness to take on powerful opponents.

Schwarzenegger so far has taken a more cautious route, holding public hearings to determine which reforms are popular - the first takes place Friday in Riverside - and floating ideas such as having a public vote on the plan without giving details.

[NormsRevenge]

How others approached reform

Hiram Johnson
1866-1945
Governor 1911-1917
Republican

“While I do not by any means believe the initiative, the referendum, and the recall are the panacea for all our political ills, yet they do give to the electorate the power of action when desired, and they do place in the hands of the people the means by which they may protect themselves.” –1911 inaugural speech

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Edmund G. “Pat” Brown
1905-1996
Governor 1959-1967
Democrat

“Under the banner of responsible liberalism, we have moved strongly and confidently. ... We have taken massive strides toward the streamlining of state government in the last two years.” – 1963 inaugural speech

[NormsRevenge]

[John Lenin]

The only thing Arnie blew up was his chance to win another election. The reason the media is hyping the guy is because he hasn't done anything to solve the CA problems, he borrowed more money to pay for all the illegals the state seems powerless to keep out.

[BenLurkin]

What the state needs is more infrastructure.

That is always money well spent.

[Jeff Gordon]

The only thing Arnie blew up was his chance to win another election.

Speak for youself.

Did you vote for Arnie the last time?

[John Lenin]

I held my nose and now I regret it, I should have voted for McClintock. Arnold is the Supreme failure, what are his accomplishments ? Did he balance the budget or just make next years tax bill that much higher ?

[Jeff Gordon]

I will evaluate Arnold's overall performance when (and if) he runs for re-election. I am not ready to make voting judgements about him until I see the total results.