The Capitol Weekly

How to Revive Redistricting Reform

Articles — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 08:40:00 -0400

In the movie Groundhog Day, the Bill Murray character, a weatherman who is doomed to repeat the same day over and over, asks a question that haunts redistricting reformers in California: "What would you do if you were stuck in one place and everyday was exactly the same, and nothing that you did mattered?"

With the recent failure of the Legislature to place redistricting reform on the ballot -- for the second year in a row -- reformers are scrambling for a way forward. One way would be to spend millions of dollars to gather signatures on a voter initiative. But… more

Kids' Accounts Warrant Debate

Articles — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 22:38:00 -0400

Governor Schwarzenegger was cheered when he recently talked about post-partisanship in Washington, D.C. But the post-partisan waters don’t run deep back home in California. Two state senators who just crossed the aisle to forward a creative solution to a pressing problem are getting more grief than glory.

Senator Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, and Robert Dutton, R-Rancho Cucamonga, held a press conference on February 28 to introduce their bill to create a California Kids Account for every newborn. The goal is to encourage parents to start saving early for their children’s future and, in the process, build the whole family’s financial know-how.… more

National Direct Election of the President is Good for California

Articles — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 01:12:00 -0400

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has sitting on his desk a bill that he ought to sign. Signing AB 2948 would establish California as a national leader in the effort to create a nationwide popular vote for president, which recent elections have shown would be a more democratic method than the 18th Century Electoral College.

Unfortunately, AB 2948 has become bogged down in the usual divisive partisan sand-box squabbling that afflicts our national politics. Democratic legislators voted to pass this bill with near unanimity, while Republican legislators treated this legislative bill as if it is radioactive. Perhaps the Republican view opposing changes… more

California Should Improve Awareness of EITC Refund

Articles — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 03:00:00 -0400

New research reveals that California is dead last in bringing home the country's largest resource for working-poor families. By April 17, hundreds of thousands of Californians will miss out on applying for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a source of sizeable refunds that give a financial boost to those at the low end of the pay scale. Golden State residents leave almost $1 billion in federal funds unapplied for. California families pay a big price when they leave these dollars sitting in Washington, D.C. People who earn up to $37,263 can claim EITC refunds that average $1700, but can… more