The Daily Breeze of the southwest portion of Los Angeles County has endorsed Proposition 11 in an editorial recently. The paper goes so far as to say that there are no arguments of merit against the initiative: Â Most state propositions offer at least a few cogent arguments on both sides. Not this one. Opponents have… Continue Reading
Author Archives: Rose Institute
League of California Cities Endorses Proposition 11
The League of California cities has recently released its positions on the California Propositions on the ballot this November. The group has decided to endorse the Proposition 11, though they decline to state why. Proposition 11 – Redistricting. Constitutional Amendment and Statute: Changes the way the U.S. House of Representatives, the state Legislature (Assembly and… Continue Reading
Co-chair of California Forward Supports Prop 11
Leon E. Panetta, co-chairman of the bipartisan reform group California Foward, advocates for Proposition 11 in a SacBee article: “The passage of Proposition 11 would be a major first step toward improving the political system. Ending the conflict of interest inherent in California’s redistricting process and replacing it with one that is open, inclusive and… Continue Reading
Sacramento Bee Opinion Piece Supports Proposition 11
 A recent opinion piece in the Sacramento Bee by Daniel Curtin, director of the California Conference of Carpenters, vociferously argues for the passage of Proposition 11. He particularly takes issue with what he believes are the wrong incentives for legislators and voters provided by safe districts. A guaranteed outcome in November that protects the incumbent… Continue Reading
Modesto Bee Editorial Supports Proposition 11
A recent editorial in the Modesto Bee supports the passage of Proposition 11 and redistricting reform. The editorial goes so far as to call the current districts “a bipartisan scam.” Â The reason is that the districts in which the candidates compete have been designed to favor heavily one party or the other. It’s a bipartisan… Continue Reading
AP Article in San Jose Mercury News on Proposition 11
The San Jose Mercury News had an article recently from the Associated Press characterizing the battle over Proposition 11. The article mentions that Schwarzenegger has tried to capitalize on any potential negative opinion in voters after the budget battle. Politically, the timing couldn’t be better. Schwarzenegger is hoping this summer’s record-long budget stalemate will persuade… Continue Reading
Research at PPIC Says Redistricting Not to Blame for Partisanship in Sacramento Bee
A recent opinion piece at the Sacramento Bee by Eric McGhee at the Public Policy Institute of California says that there is no evidence that the 2001 redistricting of California caused increased partisanship in Sacramento. Referencing a report that came out earlier this year, Mr. McGhee says that if you measure partisanship by certain legislative… Continue Reading
San Francisco Chronicle Article Redistricting and Legislative Control
A recent San Francisco Chronicle article claims that Democratic party members are concerned about the possibility that Proposition 11 may impede their ability to take greater control of the California state legislature. More quietly, Democratic leaders argue that a change in the redistricting rules would be bad news for the party, which controls the current… Continue Reading
Professor Pitney on Joe Biden
Professor Pitney recently weighed in on the subject of Joe Biden as a Vice Presidential candidate choice in the Austin American-Statesman. Pitney comments as to Obama’s goals by selecting Biden: “He was hoping for somebody who would appeal to working-class voters and add foreign policy expertise to the ticket,” said John Pitney, professor of government… Continue Reading
Contra Costa Times Supports Proposition 11 in Redistricting Editorial
In an editorial entitled “Proposition 11 Would End Conflict of Interest in Redistricting,” the Contra Costa Times endorsed Proposition 11. The Times looks hard at the number of seats that change party hands in elections: New faces appear from time to time because of term limits, but the political parties do not change. In 2004,… Continue Reading