Citizens can help rebuild California
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Locally organized think-ins and summits are being held around the state to identify issues and solutions to the fiscal earthquake that has struck California. Such a summit was organized recently in Yountville by Supervisor Diane Dillon; and was attended by several hundred local elected community leaders from Napa County, its cities, and its school districts.
The invitees learned about a task force called the Cities Counties Schools (CCS) Partnership (www.ccspartnership.org) formed to address the changes necessary to restore effective governance and a sensible fiscal system to state government.
They heard speakers representing cities, counties, school districts and business groups. The message was loud and clear: California’s government is broken and will only be fixed if citizens and local officials take action.
They presented opportunities ranging from a list of proposed ballot initiatives to a constitutional convention, the latter which is gathering a lot of attention and support throughout the state.
The invitees learned about a task force called the Cities Counties Schools (CCS) Partnership (www.ccspartnership.org) formed to address the changes necessary to restore effective governance and a sensible fiscal system to state government.
They heard speakers representing cities, counties, school districts and business groups. The message was loud and clear: California’s government is broken and will only be fixed if citizens and local officials take action.
They presented opportunities ranging from a list of proposed ballot initiatives to a constitutional convention, the latter which is gathering a lot of attention and support throughout the state.
None of the above-mentioned speakers were wild-eyed radicals. Far from it. They were concerned pragmatists who have identified five top priorities:
• Protect local revenue.
• Reform the State’s budgeting system to abandon the 2/3 supermajority requirement to adopt the annual budget in favor of a simple majority vote
• Protect local revenue.
• Reform the State’s budgeting system to abandon the 2/3 supermajority requirement to adopt the annual budget in favor of a simple majority vote