Supporters of a ballot measure aiming for the November election are working feverishly to place an initiative that would shine a greater spotlight on our Legislature in Sacramento. … One piece that especially garnered the support of the California Chamber of Commerce would prohibit the Legislature from voting on a bill until it has been […]

Here are a few truths to hold onto in an election year: People should know what their government is doing. And that their government actually belongs to them. And that the best way to stay informed about what our government is doing is through public records and from public meetings. … In November, voters may […]

In political circles, “transparency” is right up there with motherhood as an oft-proclaimed virtue. … The movement toward greater transparency is, however, not universal. Legislative leaders have refused to even schedule a committee hearing on a constitutional amendment by Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen, R-Riverbank, that would require bills to be in print for 72 hours before […]

California Forward has been in existence for nearly a decade and during that time we’ve talked with people around the state about how to improve and reform our state government. There have been a number of good ideas that have been expressed, but few of them have more support than what is called the 72-hour […]

California political observers from various political perspectives routinely complain about the Legislature’s “dysfunction” and for years have proposed – and sometimes passed – good-government changes designed to make lawmakers more responsive to the public. … But there’s another idea that’s far more likely to make it into law. Called the California Legislature Transparency Act, the […]