sovereign california dispels myth that california is ungovernable
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8/10/2019 Sovereign California Dispels Myth that California is Ungovernable
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CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENTPublic Attitude Towards
Dispelling the myth thatCalifornia is ungovernable
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You would not be off if you believed thatCalifornias government doesnt work, oris the worst government ever.
Many national news sources in just the
last few years have said that California isungovernable, while many others havesaid California is the worst run state.
We have a lot of issues here inCalifornia, and many things that areholding us back, but demonizingSacramento doesn't solve theseproblems or move us forward. Webelieve some criticism of Sacramento
is fair, yet much of it is out of context -even to the point that it's inaccurate.
IS CALIFORNIAUNGOVERNABLE?
As one of the top 10 economies in theworld (equal to the size of Russia andBrazil), we need our leaders to actmore like they are running a powerful
nation on the world stage, as opposedto running an ordinary state. Thismeans that Sacramento has to takeon more responsibilities. We believethat Sacramento can do this. Thiswhite paper by Sovereign California isdesigned to support this idea.
Were not saying that Sacramento runsperfectly but the image that Californianshave and the reality are seriously distorted. "SovereignCalifornia.org
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When Sacramento is compared to 49 other states:
Californias government has one of the best track records at managing money.1. California has the most professional legislature in the Nation.2.
Californians have the most control over their government.3.
California has the least bureaucratic government.4.
California ranks at the top at fighting corruption.5.
When Sacramento is compared to the Federal Government:
Polls show Californians trust Sacramento far more than Washington, D.C.1.
Californias leaders work together far better than Federal leaders.2.
Californias Government is more transparent than the Federal government.3.
Californias Government is better at balancing a budget than the Federal government.4.Californias Government is overall just as capable as the Federal government.5.
ON THE NEXT PAGES YOU WILL FIND A LIST OF FACTS DISPELLING
POPULAR MYTHS ABOUT SACRAMENTO FROM US AT SOVEREIGNCA.ORG
Californians' belief that their elected leaders have issues with corruption,
managing money well, being effective, enlarging bureaucracy, and being out
of the voters control is absolutely correct. Our leaders do have these issues.
HOWEVER, the belief that California is worse at governing itself than the 49 other
states or the Federal Government is simply not true.
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An academic group designed to
study California concluded thatCalifornians share a common
identity in seeing success as our
birthright.
The first ever statewide poll on
opinions toward state government
found that Californians do believe
that their government can work well;it just needs improvement. They also
generally had enough trust in their
elected leaders to believe that they
need longer terms in office.
Californians say change possible with dialogueand healthier system 2011, California Forward
The California fix: It takes a community 2009,
California Forward
Californians have no faith in Sacramento.
FACT:Californians believe in theirState government.
http://www.sovereignca.org/http://www.cafwd.org/reporting/entry/californians-say-change-is-possible-with-dialogue-and-a-healthier-systemhttp://www.cafwd.org/reporting/entry/californians-say-change-is-possible-with-dialogue-and-a-healthier-systemhttp://articles.latimes.com/2009/aug/17/opinion/oe-hertzberg17http://articles.latimes.com/2009/aug/17/opinion/oe-hertzberg17http://articles.latimes.com/2009/aug/17/opinion/oe-hertzberg17http://articles.latimes.com/2009/aug/17/opinion/oe-hertzberg17http://www.cafwd.org/reporting/entry/californians-say-change-is-possible-with-dialogue-and-a-healthier-systemhttp://www.cafwd.org/reporting/entry/californians-say-change-is-possible-with-dialogue-and-a-healthier-systemhttp://www.sovereignca.org/ -
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Sacramento is the worst at managing money.
In the last decade,California ranked well incomparison to other states
in regards to f inancialmanagement:The Public Coordinating Council of theNational Association of State RetirementAdministrators has ranked public retirementsystem management and administration since2002. Thirty one states make the list - almosthalf of the states aren't even mentioned forany sort of excellence. Of those 31 states, only11 are mentioned more than once. And ofthose mentioned more than once, only Texasand Missouri are as good as California.www.nasra.org/ppcc
Report
21 States Pension Systems Not FiscallySound:
A new report examines the financial health ofstate pension systems.By: Mike Maciag, Governing States & Localities, 11/29/12
http://www.governing.com/blogs/by-the-numbers/state-pension-systems-funded-ratios-financial-health.html
A study by investment research firm
Morningstar, Inc., published earlier this week
assesses the financial health of each state
system, highlighting a wide disparity in the
actuarial adequacy of funding levels.
Of the map linked on the article only sevenstates are doing substantially better thanCalifornia at managing their money. California
does as well or better than 43 other states.
Of the six times that Money ManagementLetter has given out awards for excellence in
investment for governments, California won in2005, 2006, and 2007.http://www.moneymanagementintelligence.com/default.html
Federal report Grading the states, in2008, said that California was excellent in:Capital planning, project monitoring, inter-government coordination, performanceauditing and evaluation, online services andinformation. This means California does anexcellent job allocating funds, ensuring thatfunds are spent correctly, and evaluating afterthe fact how funds were spent.http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/reports/2008/03/03/grading-the-states-2008-report
State Budget Update: Spring 2014 by NationalConference of State Legislatureshttp://www.ncsl.org/documents/fiscal/SPRING_SBU_2014_free.pdf
California is only one of nine states, or 1/5 ofthe Nation that has actually spent less thanits projected budget.Table 2: Budget Agency Functions FromBudget Processes In The States by NationalAssociation of State Budget Officers, Summer2008, PG 9-10http://www.nasbo.org/sites/default/files/BP_2008.pdf
California is one of three states in theNation that has the most extensivereview process for overseeing the statebudget. Forty seven other states have lessexhaustive review processes set up to
FACT:
California has one of the best track records at managing money.
ensure budget oversight.This isnt a new standard for California thilevel of oversight goes back 20 years.Table E: Budget agency functions from FROMBUDGET PROCESSES IN THE STATES BYNational Association of State Budget OfficersDecember 1989, Pg 10-11http://www.nasbo.org/sites/default/files/BP_1989.pdf
In 1989, California had the most extensivereview process for the budget of any state inthe Nation.California was one of three in the Nationrecognized for excellence in Governmentfinance by International Review in 2014.http://www.gfoa.org/award-programs/awards-excellence-
government-finance/gfoa-s-2014-awards-excellence-government-finance
California is one of four states in all of U.S.recognized for excellence in governmentfinance in 2013.http://www.gfoa.org/award-programs/awards-excellence-government-finance/awards-excellence-government-finance-award-0
California is the only state to receive an awatwo years in a row by the International RevieOrganization.
Center for Achievement in Excellence inFinancial Reporting 2010-2014 - California wo
the most awards of any state every year2010http://www.gfoa.net/cafrwinners/2010/index.html2011http://www.gfoa.net/cafrwinners/2011/index.html2012http://www.gfoa.net/cafrwinners/2012/index.html2013http://www.gfoa.net/cafrwinners/2013/index.html
http://www.sovereignca.org/http://www.nasra.org/ppcchttp://www.governing.com/blogs/by-the-numbers/state-pension-systems-funded-ratios-financial-health.htmlhttp://www.governing.com/blogs/by-the-numbers/state-pension-systems-funded-ratios-financial-health.htmlhttp://www.moneymanagementintelligence.com/default.htmlhttp://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/reports/2008/03/03/grading-the-states-2008-reporthttp://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/reports/2008/03/03/grading-the-states-2008-reporthttp://www.ncsl.org/documents/fiscal/SPRING_SBU_2014_free.pdfhttp://www.nasbo.org/sites/default/files/BP_2008.pdfhttp://www.nasbo.org/sites/default/files/BP_1989.pdfhttp://www.gfoa.org/award-programs/awards-excellence-government-finance/gfoa-s-2014-awards-excellence-government-financehttp://www.gfoa.org/award-programs/awards-excellence-government-finance/gfoa-s-2014-awards-excellence-government-financehttp://www.gfoa.org/award-programs/awards-excellence-government-finance/gfoa-s-2014-awards-excellence-government-financehttp://www.gfoa.org/award-programs/awards-excellence-government-finance/awards-excellence-government-finance-award-0http://www.gfoa.org/award-programs/awards-excellence-government-finance/awards-excellence-government-finance-award-0http://www.gfoa.org/award-programs/awards-excellence-government-finance/awards-excellence-government-finance-award-0http://www.gfoa.net/cafrwinners/2010/index.htmlhttp://www.gfoa.net/cafrwinners/2010/index.htmlhttp://www.gfoa.net/cafrwinners/2011/index.htmlhttp://www.gfoa.net/cafrwinners/2012/index.htmlhttp://www.gfoa.net/cafrwinners/2013/index.htmlhttp://www.gfoa.net/cafrwinners/2013/index.htmlhttp://www.gfoa.net/cafrwinners/2012/index.htmlhttp://www.gfoa.net/cafrwinners/2011/index.htmlhttp://www.gfoa.net/cafrwinners/2010/index.htmlhttp://www.gfoa.org/award-programs/awards-excellence-government-finance/awards-excellence-government-finance-award-0http://www.gfoa.org/award-programs/awards-excellence-government-finance/awards-excellence-government-finance-award-0http://www.gfoa.org/award-programs/awards-excellence-government-finance/awards-excellence-government-finance-award-0http://www.gfoa.org/award-programs/awards-excellence-government-finance/gfoa-s-2014-awards-excellence-government-financehttp://www.gfoa.org/award-programs/awards-excellence-government-finance/gfoa-s-2014-awards-excellence-government-financehttp://www.gfoa.org/award-programs/awards-excellence-government-finance/gfoa-s-2014-awards-excellence-government-financehttp://www.nasbo.org/sites/default/files/BP_1989.pdfhttp://www.nasbo.org/sites/default/files/BP_2008.pdfhttp://www.ncsl.org/documents/fiscal/SPRING_SBU_2014_free.pdfhttp://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/reports/2008/03/03/grading-the-states-2008-reporthttp://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/reports/2008/03/03/grading-the-states-2008-reporthttp://www.moneymanagementintelligence.com/default.htmlhttp://www.governing.com/blogs/by-the-numbers/state-pension-systems-funded-ratios-financial-health.htmlhttp://www.governing.com/blogs/by-the-numbers/state-pension-systems-funded-ratios-financial-health.htmlhttp://www.nasra.org/ppcchttp://www.sovereignca.org/ -
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California has one of the few highly professional legislatures
According to a study by Columbia University, California is one of the relatively few state legislatures that are"highly professionalized." In comparison to most other states, California has one of the more-professionalizedlegislatures. Pg 58 and 63.Professional legislatures were found by the study to possess an increased intelligencecapacity over less professional legislatures. Pg 59Who Blinks First? Legislative Patience and Bargaining with Governors by THAD KOUSSER, University of California,San Diego and JUSTIN H. PHILLIPS, Columbia University , LEGISLATIVE STUDIES QUARTERLY, XXXIV, ColumbiaUniversity, February 1 2009http://www.columbia.edu/~jhp2121/publications/WhoBlinksFirst.pdf
A more professional legislature has been shown to be one that delivers quality governance:
Professionalism has been used to explain a legislaturesincreased legislative efficiency. Pg 5
Legislators in professional chambers also obtain more success in public policy implementation. Pg 6
In general, more professional legislatures have a higher percentage of members identifying as full-timelegislators. Pg 6
Explaining Public Attitudes on State Legislative Professionalism by Lilliard Richardson, David Konisky, Jeff Milyo,University of Missouri, October 2008http://web.missouri.edu/~milyoj/files/State%20Legislative%20Professionalism%20APR.pdf
For the last 30 years, California has had the best staff support
One of the ways that the Columbia University study in 2009 measured professionalism of a states legislature wasby the amount of support staff they had to process all of the governing information they needed to consider. Forthe last 30 years, California has had more support staff to support its legislature than any other state in the Union,making the California legislature the most resourced legislature of all 50 states.Size Of State Legislative Staff: From 1979, 1988, 1996, 2003, 2009 By National Conference of State Legislatureshttp://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/staff-change-chart-1979-1988-1996-2003-2009.aspx
FACT:California has the mostprofessional legislature in the nation.
Sacramento is the least functional government of all of the states.
Table 1. Red, White and Blue Legislatures from full and part-time legislatures by National Conference of State Legislatures , 6/1/2009http://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/full-and-part-time-legislatures.aspxCalifornia is one of the four most professional legislatures out of all 50 states.
Governing States and Localities by Kevin Smith, Alan Greenblatt, John Buntin, CQ
Press: A division of Congressional Quarterly Inc., 2005
Californias legislature is one of the best equipped and
most professional in the country.
http://www.sovereignca.org/http://www.columbia.edu/~jhp2121/publications/WhoBlinksFirst.pdfhttp://web.missouri.edu/~milyoj/files/State%20Legislative%20Professionalism%20APR.pdfhttp://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/staff-change-chart-1979-1988-1996-2003-2009.aspxhttp://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/full-and-part-time-legislatures.aspxhttp://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/full-and-part-time-legislatures.aspxhttp://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/staff-change-chart-1979-1988-1996-2003-2009.aspxhttp://web.missouri.edu/~milyoj/files/State%20Legislative%20Professionalism%20APR.pdfhttp://www.columbia.edu/~jhp2121/publications/WhoBlinksFirst.pdfhttp://www.sovereignca.org/ -
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In California, a state with a long, policy-specific
constitution that provides for a high degree of
direct democracy, they often attempt to amend the
constitution instead. While the majority of politicalscientists wring their hands about this tendency, it
undeniably gives Californians a role in shaping their
constitution that voters in other regions of the county
like New England lack.
Page 83
In California, voters have used initiatives to impose some
of the Nations strictest term limits on elected officials
Page 88
Unlike other judges in pure appointive systems, however,
judges appointed in California serve short initial termsand are then subject to retention elections
Page 272
California may be the best example of a state that
had such a progressive reaction against machines.
The state was hostile toward parties, lacked any type
of patronage system, and held nonpartisan elections.
Precinct and war organizations were weak, while
individual candidates were assertiveCalifornia was
the exception to the rule. Throughout the 1800s,
most states essentially treated parties as private
associations and choose not to regulate them.Page 140
Governing States and Localities by Kevin Smith,
Alan Greenblatt, John Buntin, CQ press: A division of
Congressional Quarterly Inc., 2005
Californias democracy is not at all like Americas,as conceived by founders such as James Madison...California thus stands as a rare, and perhapsunique, counterpoint to the many countries whosemain problem is a lack of democracy.
The peoples will The Economist, April 20 2011
http://www.economist.com/node/18563638
They turn voters into legislators, since a successfulinitiative becomes statute. In states like California,
initiatives can even turn voters into founding fatherswho amend the state constitution. There are worldsof nuance in the detail. The package that Californiachose was especially powerful.
Origin of the species, The Economist, April 20 2011http://www.economist.com/node/18548119?zid=311&ah=308cac674cccf554ce65
cf926868bbc2
The Legislature does what it wants regardless of the will of the voters.
FACT:
Californians have the most control over theirgovernment compared to all other states.
http://www.sovereignca.org/http://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/staff-change-chart-1979-1988-1996-2003-2009.aspxhttp://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/staff-change-chart-1979-1988-1996-2003-2009.aspxhttp://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/staff-change-chart-1979-1988-1996-2003-2009.aspxhttp://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/staff-change-chart-1979-1988-1996-2003-2009.aspxhttp://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/staff-change-chart-1979-1988-1996-2003-2009.aspxhttp://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/staff-change-chart-1979-1988-1996-2003-2009.aspxhttp://www.sovereignca.org/ -
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To support this concept above, a comparison
of the size of each legislature in each of
the 50 states, shows that California is in
the bottom 3rd of states with the smallest
legislatures. This is even though California
has the largest population of any state in
the Nation by far. Two-thirds of American
states, which are much smaller in population
than California, have larger, more bloatedgovernments.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_
of_U.S._state_governments
California has the lowest amount of
government workers per capita in the
Nation, except for 4 states: Florida, Illinois,
Arizona, Nevada. California state government
employees number some 400,000 in a
general population of over 38 million. In
other words, just 1.08% of the population
are state employees. Only four other states
have a smaller percentage of their population
that works for the state government while 45
other states have a higher percentage of their
population working for the state government.
Meanwhile, the Federal government employs
about 1.4% of the total national population
meaning that California has a lower per capitaratio of government workers to the population
than the Federal government.
This data is the result of comparing the
population of all states and the Nation in 2011:
Cumulative Estimates of Resident Population
Change for the United States, Regions,
States, and Puerto Rico and Region and State
Rankings: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2011 from
State Totals: Vintage 2011 by US Census
http://www.census.gov/popest/data/state/
totals/2011/index.html
...to the amount of state government workers
for each state and the nation in 2011:
Table 8.5: state government employment
(full-time equivalent) for selected functions,
by state: 2011 from Book of the States 2013,
Chapter 8: State Management, Administration
and Demographics By Audrey Wall, Council ofState Governments, Monday, July 1, 2013
http://knowledgecenter.csg.org/kc/system/
files/8.5_2013.pdf
California was ranked the least bureaucratic
state in comparison to all other states in 2000
Pg 309 Governing States and Localities by Kevin
Smith, Alan Greenblatt, John Buntin, CQ Press: A
division of Congressional Quarterly Inc., 2005
Ca li forni a New Jers ey Vi rgi ni a Tennes see Al aba ma Mi nnes ota Arka ns as Ka ns as Al as ka Ma ine
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
Californians expect their legislators to serve almost three times as
many people as legislators in other states are expected to serve.
The graph below shows how many people each legislator serves for
each state in America.The Size of State Legislatures By BRUCE BARTLETT, New York Times, December 31, 2013 http://economix.blogs.nytimes.
com/2013/12/31/the-size-of-state-legislatures/
The California legislature is the most bloated bureaucracy in America.
Californians expect the most
out of their legislators in
comparison to any other
state in America by far.
FACT:
California has the least bureacraticgovernment in the nation.
http://www.sovereignca.org/http://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/staff-change-chart-1979-1988-1996-2003-2009.aspxhttp://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/staff-change-chart-1979-1988-1996-2003-2009.aspxhttp://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/staff-change-chart-1979-1988-1996-2003-2009.aspxhttp://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/staff-change-chart-1979-1988-1996-2003-2009.aspxhttp://knowledgecenter.csg.org/kc/system/files/8.5_2013.pdfhttp://knowledgecenter.csg.org/kc/system/files/8.5_2013.pdfhttp://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/staff-change-chart-1979-1988-1996-2003-2009.aspxhttp://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/staff-change-chart-1979-1988-1996-2003-2009.aspxhttp://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/staff-change-chart-1979-1988-1996-2003-2009.aspxhttp://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/staff-change-chart-1979-1988-1996-2003-2009.aspxhttp://knowledgecenter.csg.org/kc/system/files/8.5_2013.pdfhttp://knowledgecenter.csg.org/kc/system/files/8.5_2013.pdfhttp://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/staff-change-chart-1979-1988-1996-2003-2009.aspxhttp://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/staff-change-chart-1979-1988-1996-2003-2009.aspxhttp://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/staff-change-chart-1979-1988-1996-2003-2009.aspxhttp://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/staff-change-chart-1979-1988-1996-2003-2009.aspxhttp://www.sovereignca.org/ -
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California has the most transparent laws on corruption
California has the most organized and easily searchable set of laws on fighting
against corruption, meaning that it has provided the easiest to understand interface
on its corruption laws. Therefore, Californians can easily understand the state's anti-
corruption laws and hold their elected officials accountable.
LINKS TO STATES LEGISLATIVE ETHICS AND LOBBYING LAWS BY National Conference of State Legislatures, March2013 - http://www.ncsl.org/research/ethics/50-state-legislative-ethics-and-lobbying-laws.aspx
Americas Least Corrupt States 24/7 Wall street, March 22 , 2012http://247wallst.com/special-report/2012/03/22/americas-least-corrupt-states/California was ranked the fourth least corrupt state out of 50.
California: Corruption Risk Report Card by State Integrity Investigation, Center for Public IntegrityCalifornia was ranked as the fourth least corrupt state in the nation.http://www.stateintegrity.org/california
"California: The story behind the score" by Carol Goodhue Shull and Robert Shull, State IntegrityInvestigation 2012http://www.stateintegrity.org/california_story_subpage
States with the most lax anti-corruption laws By Michael B. Sauter, Charles B. Stockdale, NBC News, March 27 2012http://business.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/03/27/10812551-states-with-the-most-lax-anti-corruption-laws
California was listed as one of the top three states where politicians are honest and information readilyavailable to the public on their actions.California 2nd most aggressive of 50 states in pursuing convictions for corruption
"Grading the nation: How accountable is your state?" by Caitlin Ginley, Center for Public Integrity 2012http://www.publicintegrity.org/2012/03/19/8423/grading-nation-how-accountable-your-state
"The most corrupt state(s) in America" by Reid Wilson, Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2014/01/22/the-most-corrupt-states-in-america/
Sacramento is the softest place on corruption.
FACT:California ranks at the top of fighting corruption.
http://www.sovereignca.org/http://%20http//www.ncsl.org/research/ethics/50-state-legislative-ethics-and-lobbying-laws.aspxhttp://247wallst.com/special-report/2012/03/22/americas-least-corrupt-states/http://www.stateintegrity.org/californiahttp://www.stateintegrity.org/californiahttp://business.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/03/27/10812551-states-with-the-most-lax-anti-corruption-lawshttp://www.publicintegrity.org/2012/03/19/8423/grading-nation-how-accountable-your-statehttp://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2014/01/22/the-most-corrupt-states-in-america/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2014/01/22/the-most-corrupt-states-in-america/http://www.publicintegrity.org/2012/03/19/8423/grading-nation-how-accountable-your-statehttp://business.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/03/27/10812551-states-with-the-most-lax-anti-corruption-lawshttp://www.stateintegrity.org/californiahttp://www.stateintegrity.org/californiahttp://247wallst.com/special-report/2012/03/22/americas-least-corrupt-states/http://%20http//www.ncsl.org/research/ethics/50-state-legislative-ethics-and-lobbying-laws.aspxhttp://www.sovereignca.org/ -
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CALIFORNIA STATE VS. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Public opinion polls often show that citizens placemore trust in state and local governments than inthe federal government. Pg 16
Governing States and Localities by Kevin Smith,Alan Greenblatt, John Buntin, CQ Press: A division ofCongressional Quarterly Inc., 2005Californians have said they trust their state electedofficials far more than their federally electedofficials:http://www.ppic.org/content/pubs/other/APR_CalLegislature1211.pdf
2011 - 25% approve of State Legislature, 55%disapprove of Legislature (when California'sgovernment was most disliked)
http://www.ppic.org/content/pubs/other/APR_Congress1211.pdf2011 - 20% approve of Federal Congress, 75%disapprovehttp://www.ppic.org/content/pubs/other/APR_Obama1211.pdf
2011 - 43% disapprove of President Obamahttp://www.ppic.org/content/pubs/other/APR_Brown1211.pdf
2011 - 30% disapprove of Governor Brown
There is a lot about how Californians dont trusttheir state government, however, Californians trusttheir Federal government even less.
Few Californians trust their state or federalgovernment by Stephen Frank, California Politicalnews and views, 12/14/2011http://capoliticalnews.com/2011/12/14/few-californians-trust-
their-state-or-federal-government/
As to the national government, Congress shouldhope for approval ratings like those of the CaliforniaLegislature.
CALIFORNIAS GOVERNMENT CAN WORK TOGETHERBETTER THAN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENTPew Research Center: America Is More Polarized ThanEver By Justine Hofherr, Boston.com, June 12, 2014
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/2014/06/12/pew-research-center-america-more-polarized-than-ever/K46PCkzrWPu9rKeIKR2MLK/story.html
The share of Americans who express consistentlyconservative or consistently liberal opinions hasdoubled over the past two decades, from 10 percentto 21 percent.
Republicans with unfavorable opinions ofDemocrats has jumped from 17 to 43 percent,while Democrats with highly negative opinions ofRepublicans has more than doubled from 16 to 38percent.
New Study Shows California LegislatureLess Polarized Following Reforms by USCSchwarzenegger Institute, February 25, 2014http://216.243.142.19/institute-in-action/article/new-study-
shows-california-legislature-less-polarized-following-reforms
Meanwhile, research shows that ideologicalpolarization between the parties has increased inthe U.S. Congress during the time period in whichwe show it has declined in the California statelegislature.From: The Adoption of Electoral Reforms andIdeological Change in the California StateLegislatureBy Christian Grose, USC Schwarzenegger Institute,2013 pg 2
CALIFORNIAS GOVERNMENT IS MORE TRANSPARENT
THAN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENTCalifornia recently passed massive transparencybills: California Voters Tell Cities That TransparencysNon-Negotiable by Nancy Scola, Next City, June 30, 2014http://www.publicceo.com/2014/06/california-voters-tell-cities-
that-transparencys-non-negotiable/
Big transparency win by California Legislature byMatthew Grant Anson, CA FWD, 06/14/2013http://www.cafwd.org/reporting/entry/california-legislature-
makes-big-win-for-transparencyIn contrast:In the last 10 years President George W. Bushintroduced redacted reports which removedinformation from the public that was previouslyavailable to the public.Inside the Saudi/9-11 cover-up By Paul Sperry, NewYork Post, December 15, 2013http://nypost.com/2013/12/15/inside-the-saudi-911-coverup/
President Obama has been rated the leasttransparent in historyBarack Obama: Least Transparent President inHistory by Joe Otto, Before its news, March 18, 2014http://beforeitsnews.com/politics/2014/03/barack-obama-
least-transparent-president-in-history-2606158.html
CALIFORNIAS GOVERNMENT IS BETTER ATBALANCING A BUDGET THAN THE FEDERALGOVERNMENTCalifornia passed a balanced budget law in 2004California Proposition 58, Balanced Budget Act(March 2004) Ballotpediahttp://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_58,_Balanced_Budget_Act_
(March_2004)
Its a decade later and the Federal government stillhas not passed this law.Balanced budget amendment Wikipediahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balanced_Budget_Amendment
CALIFORNIAS GOVERNMENT IS AS CAPABLE AS THEFEDERAL GOVERNMENTtoday, the most professional legislatures haveresources that rival Congress. Pg 204Californias legislature is one of the best equippedand most professional in the country. Pg 205Governing States and Localities by Kevin Smith,Alan Greenblatt, John Buntin, CQ Press: A division ofCongressional Quarterly Inc., 2005
Californians Trust StateGoverment Far More ThanFederal Government
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