This post talks about organizing a Constitutional Convention for our near ungovernable state. It’s interesting, and an even more dramatic proposal than my posts last year imagined (1, 2). [Reforming the legislature by dramatically amending it via ballot initiative.]
I agree it’s an appealing thought. I also suspect that as soon as they came together it would spiral out of control, with capture by existing interests and the forces of moderation preventing a substantial fix.
Since I scribbled down my original idea, I keep noticing editorials and articles talking about ungovernable California. Our current budget crisis isn’t unique– it happens during most recessions– but it is huge and stubbornly resistant to compromise. I wonder if smaller, less completely ideologically aligned districts would be a successful first step in correcting it.
4 replies on “California Governance”
I listened to an idea by Devin Nunes and others that made a lot of sense. There should be a part-time (8 mos there 4 mos here) non-partisan legistlature with no term limits. The budget would be for two years and would be a balanced one. It should reduce infighting and increase stability.
Another idea is to have one legistlative body like Nebraska, which would require a CA Constitutional Amendment.
Even more radical, it might be time to split California into two or even three states. The founders never envisioned a state with 50+ million people in it. Fresno could be our capitol! This would impact the U.S. Senate though.
Something needs to be done though… no doubt about it. 🙂
The bee recently editorialized on the same thing, urging a return to a part time legislature. I don’t think calling the legislature non-partisan would actually change anything– it’s the “safe” districts that straight jacket their legislators. Deviate from the party line and you’ll lose the only election that matters– the next primary. If we eliminated primary elections and just took the lead vote totaler, it might allow centrist positioning– keep the practical part of your base and add the practical part of the other party.
One legislative body was my first thought– it’d work for me. I suspect the days of powerful legislatures and weak executives is over. Too many veto points on the legislative side means there’s no coherent negotiation between the branches.
Maybe that’s a trade we could make– split both Texas and California into more manageable chunks, so neither side gains lots of “free” senators. I have to admit it’s tempting– though I doubt the small states want to lose their comparative power through dilution.
Scott! Hi!
You’re fretting about the state too? It’s bad.
Come to the Convention with me! Be the delegate from Fresno! Then we’d get to meet!
Note to self: California Constitutional Convention Summit, Tuesday, February 24, 2009 | 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Sacramento, California. Looks interesting…
Megan’s original post.