Shake the System

You can't build a new house on a cracked foundation. If we're going to put California back on the leading edge, we have to fix our broken system.

Right now, our government is an opaque system of special interest-driven constitutional amendments, archaic legislative rules, and complex ballot initiatives that have created systemic gridlock.

California, the country's most populous state, is governed by a constitution written 120 years ago and yet is already burdened by the weight of more than 500 amendments. Our constitution is eight times longer than the U.S. Constitution.

The product of this convoluted system is a government no longer agile enough to handle a changing economy. This makes the system vulnerable to boom and bust cycles that are becoming more and more frequent.

We are saddled with constraints on budget flexibility and structural deficits before any discretionary spending is even considered. We are on the verge of putting ourselves in a state of perpetual debt with no real way out or ability to invest in our future.

Already this has meant drastic cuts to higher education - once the symbol of California as a land of opportunity. Misplaced budget priorities have also led to deep slashing of vital social services, health care and needed infrastructure investments.

We have allowed California to reach this point. And it is our collective responsibility to fix it.

We have to tear down that foundation and build a new one. It is up to us. I want you to join me in supporting a California constitutional convention and help participate in shaping it.

This is a tremendous opportunity to create real, long-term reform.

Let's repeal the two-thirds vote requirement to pass a budget so a few members of the minority party can't hold up the budget process and California won't have to issue IOUs. Let's consider instituting a more robust rainy day fund, so we save when times are good for those times when things aren't so good. We need to think about a multi-year budget cycle, something that will force the legislature to take a longer view when considering priorities. And it's time to give more local control to counties and municipalities - after all, they know what is best for their communities, and they should have more discretion on how to spend funds.

There is nothing that is stopping us from building a new foundation.

Today, we released a new online ad and started a "wiki" policy group on www.MyGavinNewsom.com about a constitutional convention. I have written my thoughts on issues we need to address and a series of questions a constitutional convention should consider.

My hope is that you will visit the group and participate in the discussion. We will be partnering with the folks at www.Calitics.com for an interactive town hall about a constitutional convention, hosting a "Twitter talk" and holding discussions on the group page.

In a few weeks, after this interactive public comment period, we will release our proposal for a constitutional convention.

If we want to change California, we need to change the system. And that means not just new ideas, but new ways of creating and organizing ideas in the modern world. I hope you will take a few minutes over the coming weeks and participate in this policy "wiki."

Let's build a new foundation that is going to allow us to make our schools the best in the world again, allow us to provide all citizens with healthcare, and allow us to bring the cutting-edge jobs of the future to California.

 

 

Follow Gavin Newsom on Twitter: www.twitter.com/GavinNewsom

Comments

[Philclock]

For the good of California, vote for Tom Campbell, who's earned his way to the governor's office:

www.campbell.org

Check him out, one of the finest people I've met, former congressman, a teacher when not a politician. Don't diss him just because of the R for party affiliation, he thinks for himself which is just what's needed with lock-step Democrats and Unions controlling the state.

Gavin's OK when we can afford a pretty face, little experience and character doesn't matter. Now is not the time.

[johnsopinion]

I like this man. Always have.

But I have a suggestion for both California, all
state governments and the Federal Government--

DON'T WRITE CHECKS FOR MORE THAN YOU
HAVE IN THE BANK! PERIOD.

It's supposed to work for us peons, it should
work for all entities.

[pagebike]

Why?

[grdavis1019]

Let's get rid of the GOP and move this country out of the 12th century.

[dougnoll]

Gavin Newsom, among others and including California Forward, are calling for a constitutional convention to rewrite, simplify, and change the way California government operates. In principle, this is a good idea and long overdue. The devil is in the details. For the past 20 years, California governors have been unable to govern and the legislature has been in effective deadlock. As a result of term limits, special interests dominate decision making. Gerrymandering legislative districts has insured highly partisan ideologies to dominate in public debate.

Although the convention process is far from being decided or even outlined, a few ground rules ought to be in place. First, no elected or appointed officials past or present should be delegates to the constitutional convention. There are plenty of highly intelligent people in California not in politics who could be drafted as delegates. Second, every delegate should be trained in collaborative decision making, interest-based negotiation, conflict resolution, and fundamental principles of emotional intelligence. These workshops should teach delegates the social and negotiation skills necessary to deal with sharply divisive and complex issues. Third, the regions of the state should be represented by more than population size. Two thirds of California is rural and looks more like the midwest and, of course, is under represented in the current political structure. Mayor Newsom, what do you think?

[margent7]

This is called, 'lets do this now so that liberals will be in power in california for all of time' believe me if the democrats were in the minority they would never support this, but democrats love passing one piece of legislation just to reverse it as soon as it is politically expedient for them to do so. Just ask Kennedys home states party of fools.

[margent7]

As long as any one party holds a super majority I would never trust their motives or their involvement in the crafting of a constitution that could last another 100 years.

[Joseph Palermo - Huffpost Blogger]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joseph-a-palermo/gavin-newsoms-impressive_b_259581.html

[Joseph Palermo - Huffpost Blogger]

Gavin, Before I write any more blogs praising your candidacy I need to know what your stand is on AB 656 -- please, someone tell me you differ from Brown on this.

[pagebike]

Why don't we rewrite the US Constitution while we are at it? The national government is at least as dysfunctional as California.

[Lightfoot Letters]

"Right now, our government is a system of special interest." Gavin Newsom. Which you represent very well.

[Winning09]

I thought your slogan was "Buck the System."

Not that it matters.

[middleoftheroad]

And the prop system that adds billions to the govt debt has nothing to do with it?

[DrPaulProteus]

This will sound crazy, but Gavin, for the good of the party and the good of California, step aside and let Jerry Brown run virtually unopposed in the primary. You're a young guy who will have many shots at it in the years ahead, and I have no doubt you'll win the governorship eventually.

If our state can be helped at this point, California needs a proven leader like Jerry Brown in the years he has left. You can come in after him and continue the progressive government California desperately needs. Save the money and the energy, and save the party a divisive primary battle.

Shake the system yourself, Gavin, and step aside this time. Offer your services to Jerry and his administration in exchange for sitting this one out. People will remember you for it.

See this article for background
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/william-bradley/arnold-schwarzenegger-jer_b_314385.html

[Philclock]

California needs a proven leader, experienced politician and someone who thinks things through, particularly today, like Tom Campbell, who's running in the Republican primaries. I'm hoping that he won't be dismissed just because he's a Republican; check him out because of his experience, ideas and decency:

www.campbell.org

For example: he's in favor of traditional marriage, but against Proposition 8 because it confers extra legal privileges to state marriages and therefore falls under the equal protection clause for any two individuals who want a marriage license from California...I think I got this right!

He's one of the finest people I've ever met, I will work for him, I hope he wins, he has the integrity and grit to stand up to the one-party Democratic rule in both houses; the stranglehold of the big unions (teachers, firefighters, police, prison, etc.) on the bankrupt State pension system; the overspending with lack of accountability; etc. Mr. Campbell will fight the good fight, and not get trapped in political correctness.

Check him out, I'll bet you agree...

[So Calif Indpdnt]

Davis took the state down and with the democratic senate running the show for over a decade now just shows democrats can't fiscally run it.

[marco01]

Because of the 2/3 requirement, they can't and you know it.

[So Calif Indpdnt]

Davis started the billion dollar deficit with the Enron deal.

[Paul Currier]

We wonder if Gavin supports the Republican Bay Area Council and their front group: Repair California? Gavin and Democratic State Senator Mark Leno already sold the first California State Park to their Real Estate Developer - Campaign Contributor: the Lennar Corporation. (see California SB 792). Do these two guys plan to sell all our State Parks to Private Developers next? The Democrats in Los Angeles want to sell 1/3 of the County Pubic Schools to Private Corporations. Is this the change California wants? Once we have sold all of California's Public Trusts - what will be left for the people? We call for opposition to the Privatization and Corporate Takeover of California. We are totally grassroots 2.0

On June 24th, 2009 we filed two Initiatives for Titles and Summaries, granted on August 14th by the California Attorney General. Our first Initiative Empowers California Voters to be able to Call a Convention by a Initiative. Our second Calls a Convention to Draft a New State Constitution. The Secretary of State of California certified us to circulate petitions. We ask for all who want to Change California to pitch in. United WE CAN!

http://CaliforniaActionNetwork.com
http://californiaactionnetwork.com/County___Assembly_Dist.html
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=206722385433

[So Calif Indpdnt]

Democrats have been running the state through the senate for over a decade and you want to "progress" it even further?

HA HA HA

[skeck]

Good luck going up against the public employee unions - the most powerful lobby in Sacramento. Arnold tried and he got obliterated.

[toltec998]

Can't this need be extrapolated to America in general? A country ran by special interest, corporations, lobbyist, etc., with the wealthiest 1% pulling the strings. We are beyond fixing the problems. We've got to find the foundation and rebuild. This may mean bring down the current apparatus to find the values that make up the cornerstone of our foundation, the US Constitution.

[overd0g1]

I fear the "solution" more than the problem.

[Lochmon]

Good luck with that, California. Yes, rewriting your constitution is desperately needed. But the special interests are going to eat this alive. We'll all be watching and taking very careful notes, just in case you find a way to beat the lobbyists at their own game.

[So Calif Indpdnt]

Companies are just moving out of California because they're taxed to_death. So goes California, so goes the country.