New America Launches "REFORM CALIFORNIA" Web Page in Conjunction with the Call for a California Constitutional Convention

Sacramento, CA - The New America Foundation today announced the launching of a web page, www.ReformCalifornia.org, dedicated as a resource for budget and political reform in California.  The announcement comes as civic and business leaders from around the state plan to meet in Sacramento on Tuesday, February 24, 2009 for a Constitutional Convention Summit sponsored by the Bay Area Council, New America Foundation, League of Women Voters, Common Cause, William C. Velasquez Institute and other civic organizations.  The Summit will address the need for reforming California's government, including the budgetary process, and what steps are necessary to convene a Constitutional Convention.

Steven Hill, Director of New America Foundation's Political Reform Program, said, "The silver lining in California's budget crisis and political gridlock is that these foster an opportunity for real political and budget reform. It's time to take a hard look at what caused the latest budget stalemate, and the changes we need to make to ensure that the state doesn't go through this every year."

www.ReformCalifornia.org will showcase New America Foundation proposals for resolving the budget crisis and for innovative electoral reforms.  The web page will also feature a blog with fresh insight and analysis from New America Foundation staff, and dialogue from members of the public.

"As we discuss fundamental changes for California's government and budget process, it is essential that citizens and policy-makers be well informed about their options," said Blair Bobier, Deputy Director of the Political Reform Program. "This new web page will feature some of the best ideas from New America and elsewhere about how California's government can work more efficiently and how it can better represent citizens from all across the political spectrum."

Contact: Steven Hill, (415) 665-5044, hill@newamerica.net

About New America
The New America Foundation is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy institute whose purpose is to bring exceptionally promising new ideas and new voices to the fore of our nation's public discourse. New America is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and California. New America's Political Reform Program promotes political reforms that stimulate and broaden participatory democracy.

Learn More About: Blair Bobier, Steven Hill
Related Programs: New America in California, Political Reform Program
Topics: California, Fiscal Policy, Political Reform