Professor Pitney was recently quoted in an article in the Detroit Free Press on the subject of Obama’s status as an idealistic outsider. Pitney addresses some of Obama recent moves: Jack Pitney, a political science professor at Claremont McKenna College in California, said that while Obama might be shaking the faith of some idealists with… Continue Reading
Author Archives: Rose Institute
Former Democratic Speaker and Republican Senate Leader Support Voters First Initiative
In an opinion piece for the Sacramento Bee, Robert M. Hertzberg, Democratic Speaker of the California Assembly from 2000 to 2002, and James L. Brulte, Republican leader of the Senate from 2000 to 2004 and the Assembly from 1992 to 1995, endorsed the Voters First Initiative. In the 2001 redistricting process, we held public hearings… Continue Reading
Editorial and David Broder Opinion Piece on Redistricting
The Houston Chronicle and the Philadelphia Inquirer both recently ran opinion pieces in favor of redistricting reform. The Inquirer’s editorial focuses on the redistricting reform effort in Pennsylvania: As you can imagine, the power to guarantee themselves great jobs means it will be hard to pry this power out of lawmakers’ hands. But they need… Continue Reading
Common Cause Criticizes State Senate President Pro Tem; Pitney on Redistricting
This one’s a two-for-one deal: The Contra Costa Times has an article about Common Cause criticizing State Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata for organizing opposition to the Voters First Initiative. Professor Pitney is also quoted in the article. Perata, who will leave the state Senate because of term-limit rules at the end of the… Continue Reading
Frates on San Diego Pledging Assets for Loans
An article appeared recently on San Diego-based KPBS’s website about the city’s ability to borrow money. San Diego now has to pledge important assets like police stations, golf courses, and Qualcomm Stadium in order to get loans. Dr. Frates was quoted on the subject: But Shea says the big question is what will the city… Continue Reading
California Democratic Leaders Pressure Redistricting Supporters
The Contra Costa Times recently ran an article about California Democratic leaders putting pressure on Democrats who are supporting the Voters First Initiative to toe the party line. There has been an “attempt to bring everybody into line” now that the state party has come out against the redistricting measure, said Kathay Feng, the measure’s… Continue Reading
Johnson on Recalls
According to an article in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, a local businessman is considering leading a recall petition against three city council members in Baldwin Park. Rose Fellow Doug Johnson was quoted on the difficulty of recall elections: “It’s very hard,” said Douglas Johnson, a fellow with the Rose Institute of State and Local… Continue Reading
Pennsylvania State Rep. Jake Wheatley Criticizes State Redistricting Reform Bill
In a recent opinion piece in The Philadelphia Inquirer, Jake Wheatley, member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, criticized the redistricting reform brewing in the Pennsylvania legislature. He takes issue with the lack of concern for the racial makeup of the Pennsylvania’s elected officials. I am deeply concerned with the impact such legislation would have… Continue Reading
Santa Cruz Sentinel Joins Rank of Papers Endorsing Voters First Initiative
In a recent editorial, the Santa Cruz Sentinel endorsed the Voters First Initiative. The paper becomes one of a bunch of papers statewide that have endorsed the initiative including the San Jose Mercury News, Fresno Bee, the Torrance Daily Breeze, San Diego Union Tribune, LA Daily News, North County Times, Stockton Record, San Gabriel Valley… Continue Reading
Pitney on Obama Forfeiting Public Financing
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune recently ran an article on the subject of Obama turning down public financing in favor of a self financed campaign. Professor Pitney is quoted in the article, which addresses some of the risks involved for Obama in choosing to opt-out of public financing. Said John Pitney, a professor at Claremont McKenna College:… Continue Reading