Pete Wilson

Monday Night Event: Was Pete Wilson Right?

Joe Mathews — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:47:00 -0400

I'll be interviewing former California Gov. Pete Wilson tomorrow night (that's Monday, June 29) at 7 p.m. at RAND, 1776 Main Street in Santa Monica. We'll discuss our state and how it might be governed. Then the floor will be open to audience questions. The event is free and open to the public, with a reception with food and drinks to follow. You can reserve a seat here.

The full description of the event is below.

WAS PETE WILSON RIGHT?

Pete Wilson’s California wasn’t too different from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s. The state’s education system lagged behind the rest of the country, interest groups had a tight grip on Sacramento, healthcare costs were rising, and the economy was the worst it had been since the Great Depression. While Wilson may be best remembered for his more controversial stances—like supporting Proposition 187, which sought to refuse services to illegal immigrants—he also managed to pass budgets and break partisan stalemates, ultimately leaving his successor a budget surplus. Ten years after he left office, at a time when many claim California is ungovernable, Pete Wilson visits Zócalo to chat about the economy, interest groups, and how he might address the problems the state faces today.

Reviving an Old Reform Plan

Joe Mathews — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 22:06:00 -0400

Over at Fox & Hounds Daily, Joel Fox writes about a California legislator's proposal to dust off a forgotten constitutional revision plan from the mid-90s. The plan, produced by a commission put together by then-Gov. Pete Wilson, never went anywhere because it was introduced during the summer of an election year. But reviving it is an intriguing idea -- as a vehicle for constitutional reform both faster and less risky than a full-blown constitutional convention.

Wilson: Ballot Measure Should 'De-Politicize' California Courts

Joe Mathews — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:27:00 -0400

Former California Gov. Pete Wilson said at a conference Monday that state voters should be presented with a ballot measure that would "depoliticize" the administration of justice. He wants judges to ignore questionnaires and other attempts by interest groups to elicit their views. The former governor, who's also a lawyer, suggests a constitutional amendment that would read, in part:

"Judicial candidates are urged by...the constitution of the state of California to consciously forebear from exercising their right of free speech by refraining to answer any question...which seeks to elicit their views."

Round Up: Show Me The Blocking Campaign

Joe Mathews — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:57:00 -0400

SHOW ME STATE BLOCKING CAMPAIGN: The blockbuster democracy world is afire with reports that Lee Albright and his firm National Petition Management have been hired to lead a blocking campaign against the signature gathering for Ward Connerly's anti-affirmative action initiative in Missouri. The Wall Street Journal publishes an opinion piece that provides a decent overview -- but with an over-the-top spin that suggests that blocking campaigns are way out of bounds.

The truth about blocking campaigns is: in almost any form they take, they are a waste of time and money. A well-funded, well-organized signature effort is almost always going to qualify, blockers or not. The physical intimidation -- often standing around looking menacing or screaming at signature gatherers and voters -- used by blockers can slow gathering and raise the costs, but in my experience, they rarely stop it. One form of blocking campaign that is permitted in some states and cities -- a signature gathering effort in which people sign up to have their signatures taken off petitions -- have had limited effectiveness at slowing things down. People in the blockbuster democracy biz know all this, and as a result, most blocking campaigns don't have much muscle or money behind them. They are part of the show, the public relations back-and-forth of initiative campaigns that rely on claims the other side is abusing the process. ("I am shocked, shocked to hear of this despicable campaign to block our initiative which seeks only to enshrine truth, justice and the Americna way in the constitution of our humble state").

ARKANSAS CHURCHES RALLY AGAINST LOTTERY: The IRS in recent years has investigated churches that involve themselves in political activity. But that's not stopping Arkansas churches from organizing against a state lottery proposed by the lieutenant governor.

PETE'S DOMAIN: Former Gov. Pete Wilson opposes Prop 98, the first of the two eminent domain initiatives on this June's California ballot. Prop. 98 is backed by property owners and taxpayer groups, and the opposition of a prominent Republican -- even if it's a relatively moderate governor who is not particularly popular -- is a bit of a blow.

CAN'T ANYBODY IN COLORADO GET ALONG? There's a dust-up now between a Republican Senate candidate and pro-lifers about the candidate's attempts to remain neutral on the state's "personhood" initiative, one of the newest genre of anti-abortion measures.

THIS 'NO' CAMPAIGN IS ARMED: North Dakota hunters are ramping up their campaign against an initiative that would prohibit so-called "high fence" hunting at game and elk preserves.