Daniel Weintraub: New reform effort has ingredients for success

Sacramento Bee ^ | 2/21/8 | Daniel Weintraub

[SmithL]

For as long as I have been watching and writing about California politics and public policy, well-meaning people have been coming to me with the promise to fix what ails government in the Golden State.

Name the problem and someone has tried to solve it: campaign finance abuses, rigged political districts, foolish budget policies – all of which contribute to a widening disconnect between what regular folks seem to want and what their dysfunctional government delivers.

Most if not all of these efforts have failed. Some died in infancy, never to make it past the idea stage. Some led to studies by advisory commissions whose reports were shelved by more powerful players. Some made it to the ballot only to fail amid opposition from entrenched interests.

Some actually became law but either did not work as intended or were struck down by the courts.

Now comes one more group of earnest people with good intentions pledging to right California's listing ship of state. And against my better instincts, I actually find myself listening to them – and thinking they might have a chance to succeed.

Why? A few reasons. First, the big one: money. They have gobs of it.

Several foundations have kicked in $15 million for a three-year first phase, with the promise of more where that came from if they see progress.

Second, savvy. The people running this endeavor have seen failure up close, and they know what doesn't work.

Third, diversity. This group is bipartisan and will be reaching out to the entire state in a big way, not working in an echo chamber with fellow do-gooders.

They are calling themselves California Forward, and they are a joint creation of four groups: California Common Cause, the Center for Governmental Studies, the New California Network and the CommonwealthClub

[SmithL]

I guess it's official, Post-partisanship is the latest California fad.

[ripley]

“people with good intentions pledging to right California’s listing ship of state.”

why not leave the people of california to right their own ship of state? they’ve thrown it off kilter with their irresponsible antics, why shouldn’t they plug the holes themselves?

[John Jorsett]

I read the entire thing, and I STILL have no idea what they're proposing to do, beyond "Long-term, they're talking about an improved economy, a healthy and educated population, and a sustainable environment.". What, no motherhood and apple pie?