Tag "direct democracy"
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Ex-justices see big problems with California initiative process
Despite the 2014 adoption of the most significant reforms to the initiative process in recent California history, two former state Supreme Court justices have gone public with criticism over the dominant role of money in direct democracy, suggesting that the
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CA property tax revenue surges despite Prop. 13
Proposition 13 — the 1978 ballot measure setting property taxes at 1 percent of assessed value and limiting annual increases in property taxes to 2 percent for homes and businesses which don’t change owners — is perhaps the most controversial
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Initiative filing fee hike inspires wave of unconventional proposals
A tenfold increase in the initiative filing fee was supposed to reduce the number of long-shot proposals in circulation. “The updated filing fee set by this bill will deter frivolous submissions,” Assemblyman Evan Low, author the new initiative fee increase, said in a
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Direct democracy abuses: Both parties have dirty hands
Over the past 14 months, San Diego voters have repudiated the decisions of the Democratic majority on the City Council three times. The most influential Democrat on the council thinks he knows why: San Diego City Councilman Todd Gloria will
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Kings County attorney: Don’t overreact to pro-bullet train ruling
A state appellate court ruling announced Thursday overturning Sacramento Superior Court Judge Michael Kenny’s 2013 decisions saying the state rail authority didn’t have a legal financing plan or adequate environmental reviews to proceed with construction of the initial segment of
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Swearengin had no faith in a) her constituents and/or b) herself
Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin — an articulate, TV-savvy, photogenic Republican — is a good bet to finish second in the June 3 state primary for controller behind former Assembly Speaker John Perez, a Los Angeles Democrat who will then go
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Discovered: a new way unions manipulate CA status quo
Californians who don’t belong to a public employee union have every right to feel as if the state is rigged against them. Because districting is based on population, not number of citizens, Democrats do better in Sacramento from the get-go
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The dog that didn’t bark: More evidence top Dems want bullet train gone
The California establishment fights dirty when it comes to direct challenges to its priorities and the people it wants to protect the most. The CTA blocking efforts to make it easier to remove classroom sexual predators and instead passing legislation
Read MoreFresno taxpayers object to misleading petition title and summary
A group of Fresno taxpayers hoping to overturn the city’s recent water rate hike has filed a formal complaint accusing the city attorney of issuing a biased and misleading title and summary for their referendum. It’s the latest development in
Read MoreFresno mayor obstructs initiative process to save water rate hike
Fresno residents could see their water rates double, and in the process, all Californians could see their petition powers diminished, if a state appellate court doesn't act quickly on a lawsuit to stop strong-arm tactics by the city of Fresno. The battle
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