"5 Reasons California Went From A $42 Billion Deficit To A Surplus"

[applegrove]

5 Reasons California Went From A $42 Billion Deficit To A Surplus

by Jason Sattler at the National Memo

http://www.nationalmemo.com/the-5-best-ideas-from-californias-progressive-resurgence/

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Independent Redistricting Commission

It all started in 2008. As California voters were rejecting same-sex marriage, they approved a ballot measure that would take redistricting out of the hands of the politicians. The measure created the 14-member California Citizens Redistricting Commission to redraw maps for the state’s legislative districts. The Commission includes five Republicans, five Democrats and four independents. Bipartisan agreement is required. The result has been districts that “look more like the electorate,” according to Dayen. That means they’re far more Democratic, which has inspired challenges from the state’s Republicans. But voters seem to approve. In 2010, they handed Congressional redistricting over to the same commission.


Reinstating Majority Rule On The Budget

California’s budget has been perpetually late and perpetually hostage to a provision that required a two-thirds majority. Proposition 25, approved by 54.1 percent of voters in 2010, changed the law to allow a simple majority to suffice. It also holds up legislators’ pay if the budget is late.

Democrats led by Governor Brown were able to speed up the budgeting process, pushing through painful cuts. However, with a two-thirds majority they were not able to match those cuts with the tax increases that were necessary to actually balance the budget.

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[NYC_SKP]

1. Awesome governor, for one.

Could have been president, too, but we got Reagan instead.