Monthly Archives: July 2013

Ballot Initiative Reform: Coming Together for a Better California

For over a century, Californians have been exercising direct democracy by petitioning for ballot initiatives. This practice began as a way for citizens to work around legislatures that were heavily influenced by bribes and corporate interests. Now, 100 years later, the process has confused citizens and led to a system dominated by big money, TV…

Did Homeowners Get a Raw Deal from Prop 13?

While much has been written about Prop 13, the 1978 ballot initiative that locked property tax rates and ham-stringed legislators from raising revenue, the focus has largely been on the benefits to long-time homeowners who saw immediate relief in their property taxes. Very little analysis has been generated on the biggest beneficiaries of Prop 13…

Californian Voters Believe that the Budget Should Help Even the Playing Field

On June 27, Governor Jerry Brown signed the new California budget. Thanks to Prop 30 increasing taxes on the wealthy, this is the first time in many years that California will not see devastating cuts to education and other state services. The new budget invests in the future by prioritizing education funding for students from disadvantaged backgrounds…