The California Fix

An occasional series on California's government crisis. Op-Eds and editorials, which are the work of The Times' editorial board, will be collected here. News coverage will appear under the same heading, "The California Fix," but will run on the news Web pages.

October 19, 2009

The California Fix

Amending California's direct democracy

In a recent speech to the Academy of Arts and Sciences, California Chief Justice Ronald M. George became the latest sharp critic of the state's system of direct democracy. "Frequent amendments -- coupled with the implicit threat of more in the future -- have rendered our state government dysfunctional," he said.

October 13, 2009

THE CALIFORNIA FIX

Bicoastal constitutional conundrum

The nation's two mega-states are poised to embark on constitutional experiments of a scale not seen since Philadelphia in 1787. Prominent New York leaders want to call a convention to enact term limits, an unfettered initiative process and a limit on the legislature's ability to raise taxes. Guess what? Californians have been there, done that and lived to regret it. Current calls for reform in California focus on exactly the opposite: loosening term limits, restraining the initiative process and giving a simple majority of legislators the ability to raise taxes.

September 20, 2009

THE CALIFORNIA FIX

Taming the beast

It's not always easy to identify the tentacles that are strangling California and keeping it from fulfilling its promise for 38 million residents. Who wrecked our public school system, which was once the envy of the world? Who ruined the nation's premier network of highways, the most ambitious and reliable water delivery system, the best state parks? Who killed the spirit of opportunity and innovation that once made California the headquarters for banks and oil companies, for makers of surfboards and electric guitars, for computers and communications?

August 17, 2009

THE CALIFORNIA FIX

It takes a community

Blessed with abundant natural resources, stunning natural beauty and a rich history as a place where dreams come true, we Californians see success as our birthright.

August 23, 2009

THE CALIFORNIA FIX

A convention for all

It was a town hall, certainly, but without the sense of chaos, the hint of danger, that we've come to associate with the words "town hall" in recent weeks. No gun-toting patriots, no dark portents of tyranny. No energy, in fact, at least not at the start of things. It was a blazing July morning, a Saturday, and several hundred people were clustered around tables in a subterranean conference room at USC. They were talking about overthrowing the government, and trying to stay awake. It was taking awhile for the coffee to kick in.

August 21, 2009

THE CALIFORNIA FIX

A one-house Legislature

Op-Ed: A separate Assembly and state Senate is redundant and an obstacle to responsive, transparent government.

August 16, 2009

THE CALIFORNIA FIX

Start from scratch

Editorial: A constitutional convention is the best opportunity for the state to reclaim its purpose.

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