Category Archives: Archive

MALDEF, California, and Redistricting

As this post on the now 40-year-old Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) says: MALDEF was also key in legal actions preventing the dilution of potential Latino influence in the redistricting process. See our archives for more. Continue Reading

Redistricting Roundup: New Prop. 93 Editorials UPDATEDx2

The Vallejo Times-Herald editorial for Proposition 93: And, Prop 93 doesn’t do anything to address the bone of contention that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger deems the biggest evil of state politics – political entrenchment through redistricting.But all flaws cannot be addressed in one measure, and the earliest redistricting can occur is after the 2010 census anyway.… Continue Reading

Dr Pitney on Brown's Emission Standards Petition

From Steve Geissinger’s article in the San Jose Mercury News: Attorney General Jerry Brown will petition federal regulators today to set stricter emission standards on off-road toys such as snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles and personal watercraft – an idea that manufacturers insist would trigger higher prices, lower performance and possibly even be the demise of some… Continue Reading

Governor Kicks off Redistricting Reform Campaign

As Bill Bradley’s New West Notes noted last week: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s political committee, the California Dream Team — formerly the California Recovery Team, and maybe the old name should be brought back — today instigated the signature gathering portion of a proposed redistricting reform initiative for the November ballot. Spokeswoman Julie Soderlund says the… Continue Reading

Redistricting & Prop. 93 Roundup

Steve Lawrence’s AP report as it ran in the San Francisco Chronicle and the Mercury News: “If we grant legislators what they want — longer terms — without getting redistricting reform, we will never get redistricting reform,” Poizner said. Westly, chairman for outreach with the Proposition 93 campaign, also wishes the two subjects had been… Continue Reading

Dr. Pitney: California Will Help Decide Primary Races

From Rose Institute fellow John J. Pitney Jr.’s op-ed in the San Diego Union Tribune: For the first time in decades, California will help decide the presidential nominees. Until this year, the state held its primary after each party had a prohibitive favorite. Now there are real fights on both sides. Although many other states… Continue Reading

Dr. Pitney on Clinton & Obama Strategy

From Mary Anne Ostrom’s article in the San Jose Mercury News: “When there’s bad news to deliver, you want a familiar face,” said Jack Pitney, professor of political science at Claremont McKenna College. Most voters agree that Obama, because of his racial heritage and his call for political harmony, would bring more change to Washington.… Continue Reading