The Budget Story carefully lays out Walnut Creek’s finances in a way that’s visually appealing and easy to grasp – it’s more magazine than textbook. Read More
Categories: Accountability, Transparency
One week from Monday marks the start of Sunshine Week, a global recognition of transparency efforts and an opportunity for watchdog organization to issue scorecard reports on local municipalities, states, and countries. Examples are all around us as to why such a week is necessary. It's an ideal as a standard but the gap between desire and reality is quite large. Read More
Categories: Government, Accountability, Transparency
In a time of scarce resources and looming bankruptcies, cities are increasingly turning to Big Data to become more efficient. Into this space is where civic startups are putting some Silicon Valley innovation and know-how into making government work better. Read More
Categories: Government, Accountability, Transparency
As the intrigue of the state parks department's surprise surplus grows, the story could highlight a bigger problem with our state's budget process. Read More
Categories: Accountability
The Capitol Weekly conference on California’s prison system: 'The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly' delved into the problems plaguing our prison system, potential reforms, and the influence of politics. Read More
Categories: Selected Blog Posts, Civic Engagement, Accountability
California once again finds itself in the vortex of a leadership vacuum. Public trust and confidence in government are at record lows – as is our performance in critical areas that matter most to Californians: education, job creation, and public safety. To fix our state, we must revamp how budgets and policy decisions are made and implemented and how leaders are kept accountable. Read More
Categories: Selected Blog Posts, Governance Reform, Accountability, Transparency
Gov. Jerry Brown says he has 600 bills on his desk, but many he will not sign because "there's not 600 problems that we need those solutions for." We suggest he locate and sign two bills, SB14 and SB15, that help solve two of his biggest problems: the annual budget mess and the lack of public trust in Sacramento's leadership, which voters say are closely linked. Read More
Categories: Selected Blog Posts, Fiscal Reform Plan, Leadership Council, Accountability, Budget Reform
AB109 is the unassuming name for the single most significant reform in a century to California's prison system and the state's approach to criminal justice. Beginning Oct. 1, anyone convicted of nonviolent, nonsexual and/or non-serious criminal offenses (a.k.a. triple nons) will head to county jail instead of state prison. Anyone up for parole on a similar offense will be supervised by county officials. Read More
Categories: Selected Blog Posts, Governance Reform, Accountability, Transparency, Restructuring
California voters remain fed up with their legislature, as seen in the latest Field Poll, which finds that people have little confidence in the body charged with passing laws and budgeting taxpayer dollars. Their support for the governor, however, remains steady. Read More
Categories: Selected Blog Posts, Jerry Brown, Accountability, Transparency, Restructuring
Mention of the dysfunctions and malfunctions of California state government prompted chuckles from the audience at The Commonwealth Club on Thursday, at a panel discussion on government openness and accountability. Read More
Categories: Selected Blog Posts, Accountability, Transparency
You’ve heard the statistics. California spends more on prisons than higher education. About 11% of the state budget - roughly $8 billion - goes to the penal system yet seven in ten offenders return to prison - the highest level in the nation. Read More
Categories: Civic Engagement, Accountability, Transparency, Restructuring
It is hard to talk about dysfunction in California government without talking about money. And it is hard everywhere these days to talk about taxes. Read More
Categories: Selected Blog Posts, Governance Reform, Accountability, Transparency, Budget Reform, Restructuring
Two cheers to the Legislature and Governor for agreeing on an on-time budget that moved the state’s fiscal crisis off center stage for at least six months. So what are the logical next steps for structural budget or governance reform that can achieve a more responsive, transparent and effective state government? In short – none. That’s right – the time for major structural reform has passed. The time for rolling-up-the-sleeves and delivering-for-the-people is now. Read More
Categories: Governance Reform, Accountability, Transparency
A recent dispute between Assembly members John Perez and Anthony Portantino highlights a problem that sits at the foundation of California's broken government: a disturbing lack of transparency and accountability. Read More
Categories: Selected Blog Posts, State Budget, Accountability, Transparency, Budget Reform
In an era when more and more Californians are demanding accountability and transparency in government, our budgeting process has slid back into the cloaked era of the past. Read More
Categories: State Budget, , Accountability, Transparency
The State Accountability Project is an unprecedented effort to create a 50-state ranking of government transparency and accountability. Read More
Categories: , Accountability, Transparency
As California confronts another year of wrenching financial challenges, it is time for state legislators to make good on their pledge to make bold changes to the way our state operates... Read More
Categories: Selected Blog Posts, State Budget, , Accountability, Transparency, Budget Reform, Accountability, Budget Reform, State Budget, Transparency
This week California Forward released the results from the first in a series of "California Viewpoints" surveys on Californian's attitudes toward state government, reform, and how... Read More
Categories: Selected Blog Posts, Governance Reform, Leadership Council, , Civic Engagement, Accountability, Accountability, Civic Engagement, Governance Reform, Leadership Council
On November 30th, I was sworn in to a 10-year term of service on California’s first-ever Citizens Redistricting Commission. This 8-member body is charged with redrawing ... Read More
Categories: Proposition 11, , Citizens Redistricting Commission, Accountability, Transparency, Accountability, Citizens Redistricting Commission, Proposition 11, Transparency
This morning's regional dialogue with a group of civic-minded leaders from across the southern Central Coast is a major milestone for Speak Up for California Read More
Categories: , Civic Engagement, Speak Up CA, Accountability, Accountability, Civic Engagement, Speak Up CA