The San Francisco Chronicle reports that California State Senate President Don Perata recently convened a meeting of Sacramento Democratic “insiders” to “hammer out an opposition plan to Proposition 11” also known as the Voters First Initiative. The manufactured justification according to Paul Hefner, a Perata spokesman, is: It’s not fair to have a commission evenly… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Rose Report
Pitney on Michelle Obama
In a recent USA Today article on Michelle Obama, Professor Pitney has a quote on why the potential First Wife has drawn so much scrutiny. Will it work? John Pitney, a political scientist at Claremont McKenna College and author of The Art of Political Warfare, says Obama “invited some of this scrutiny” with her comment… Continue Reading
Orlando Sentinel Editorial on Florida Redistricting Reform
The Orlando Sentinel recently had an editorial in support of a redistricting reform effort in Florida. As noted in this previous Rose Report post, the proposed changes are short on specifics at this point, but the overall aim is to increase the number of competitive districts. The article brings up the immense disparity between statewide… Continue Reading
Sacramento Bee Account of Redistricting Debate
Fox and Hounds has been hosting a lively debate by three prominent political thinkers in California on redistricting reform. Joe Mathews, a former Los Angeles Times reported and Fellow at the New American Foundation argues that the redistricting reform measure has no possibility of passing. Joel Fox, president of the Small Business Action Committee and… Continue Reading
Fresno Bee Editorial on Voters First Initiative
The Fresno Bee has an editorial in support of the Voters First Initiative. The editorial does not add much new to the debate but continues the movement of the state’s newspapers towards supporting the initiative. Continue Reading
Pitney on Obama
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
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